Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), accused Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the Republican Party of trying to deceive voters about what McCain really meant when he comment on a possible U.S. presence in Iraq for 100 years.

"The truth is that John McCain is a weak candidate," Dean said in a Wednesday morning speech. Referring to McCain's comment, Dean said: "I know they're all trying to weasel out of it over there at the Republican Party."

In a red-meat speech to the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Dean was highly critical of McCain on the issues of Iraq and healthcare. The former Vermont governor also targeted McCain for mistaking Shiites for Sunnis.

"We honor John McCain's military service, but not every war hero ought to end up in the presidency of the United States," Dean said. "If you can't tell the difference between the Shia and the Sunnis, then America ought not to be in Iraq for 100 years."

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has vigorously disputed the assertion by some Democrats, particularly Dean and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), that McCain is pushing for 100 years of war.

RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said in a statement that Dean and other Democrats are more focused on character attacks than success in Iraq.

“Rather than debate the issues facing our nation, Howard Dean is making it clear that he intends to make the Democrats’ campaign about character attacks and personal insults,” Duncan said.

“Dean’s rhetoric has been vitriolic for months and today’s comments are nothing more than a reflection of the increasingly divisive and destructive nomination battle within his party,” he said.