Dean's latest: GOP 'white Christian party'

Editor's note: Video of Howard Dean's comments is available by clicking here.

Howard Dean

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The GOP is pretty much a "white Christian party," said Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean in the latest controversial remarks that have prompted increasing criticism from leading members of his own party.

The latest comments came in San Francisco at a forum with minority leaders and journalists.

He characterized the Republican Party as "a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It's pretty much a white Christian party."

"The Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people," Dean said Monday, responding to a question about diversity during a forum with minority leaders and journalists. "We're more welcoming to different folks, because that's the type of people we are. But that's not enough. We do have to deliver on things: jobs and housing and business opportunities."

Dean is under fire from his own party because he is alienating potential cross-over Republican voters.

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His comments last week that Republicans "never made an honest living in their lives," which he later clarified to say Republican "leaders," were rebuked by leading Democrats including Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Biden said Sunday Dean "doesn't speak for me ... and I don't think he speaks for the majority of Democrats."

Other Democrats, including Richardson, said such comments hurt Dean's effort to increase Democratic registration, contributions and votes in red states dominated by Republicans.

Dean is also under fire from party leaders for not raising enough cash.

The DNC has raised less than half of the $42.6 million raised by the RNC in the first four months of the year.