DNC To Target McCain Spending With Federal Complaint: Seeks Investigation, Injunction

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- The DNC says the complaint will be filed Monday when the Federal Election Commission opens for business. It will contend the Arizona senator's GOP presidential campaign has exceeded the $56.8 million spending limit imposed when he accepted federal matching funds. The full text of the DNC statement is available here. An excerpt from Howard Dean, the party chairman:

"The crucial issue here is John McCain's integrity. John McCain poses as a reformer but seems to think reforms apply to everyone but him. He used taxpayer money to guarantee a loan so he could raise money from lobbyists and special interests -- it's the height of hypocrisy. This is just the latest example of his do as I say, not as I do double standard, and it's unlikely to be the last. McCain financially benefited from this legally binding contract -- he got free ballot access, saving him millions or dollars, and he secured a $4 million line of credit to keep his campaign afloat . . ."

DNC Chair Howard Dean: Bush Republicans Wrong To Fund Iraq War Over Kids Health

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- DNC Chair Howard Dean delivered the party's national radio address today and he was in attack mode. He said it is "politics at its worse" for Republicans to support increased spending for wars, but not more for the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Dean was setting the tone and tenor for next year's elections. He portrayed the GOP as lacking a sense of responsibility to those in need at home while it spends big overseas.

"Just weeks after vetoing S-CHIP, the Bush Republicans wanted to borrow a total of $196 billion to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but they wouldn't spend $7 billion for the health of our children. The Republican leaders have made their choice. They want to stay in Iraq and deny our kids health care. It is wrong for the Bush Republicans to stand in the way of legislation needed to protect our kids."

DNC Chairman Howard Dean: Hands Down 11 Commandments At National Baptist Convention

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- DNC Chair Howard Dean spoke to the National Baptist Convention and delivered what could -- and should-- be described as the 11 Commandments of the Democratic Party. Dean never described the moral and political code as Commandments as he spoke to the leaders of the 7.5 million member mostly African American congregation in Philadelphia. Still, the 11 precepts have the flavor of a credo of good faith.

Here's the Law, according to Howard, who said, "We know what moral issues are about . . . As Democrats we believe:

1. That no child should go to bed hungry.

2. As Democrats we believe that it is a moral issue that we no longer be the last industrialized country on the face of the Earth that doesn't have health care for every single person. And we have acted on that in Congress by giving every child under 18 health insurance.

3. That war should be a last resort only after diplomacy has been exhausted.

4. That we should properly equip our troops before we send them to war.

5. That we should properly take care of our veterans when they come home.

6. That everyone deserves equal rights under the law.

7. That we should be good stewards of the Earth.

8. That hardworking people should earn a living wage and be able to take care of their families.

9. That we shouldn't pass debt onto our children and our grandchildren.

10. That faith should not be used to divide people.

11. That you and I have more in common than we have differences.