Rivals slam Dean over flag remark

Dean, a former Vermont governor, stood his ground

Democratic White House hopefuls have attacked Howard Dean for a remark he made about the Confederate flag.

Activist Al Sharpton and Senator John Edwards said Mr Dean was wrong to woo votes from "guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks".

The flag is divisive in the US; many see it as a racist symbol, while others link it to southern pride.

In a televised debate on Tuesday, Mr Dean refused to back away from the remark, saying "I was not wrong."

He said the Democrats had to reach out to poor southern whites if they were to beat the Republicans in the electorally vital region.

"We're not going to win in this country if we don't have a big tent," Mr Dean, the Democratic front-runner in several key states, told his rivals.

I think it was insensitive and I think you ought to apologise Al Sharpton

Mr Sharpton, who is black, rejected Mr Dean's explanation.

"I don't think you are a bigot, but I think it was insensitive and I think you ought to apologise," he said.

Mr Edwards, a white southerner, accused Mr Dean of being condescending.

"The last thing we need in the south is somebody like you coming down and telling us what to do," he said.

The flag row was among the most divisive moments in a debate that brought together eight of the nine Democratic contenders to answer live questions from 18-to-30-year-olds.

Did you inhale?

They were also asked if they preferred PCs or Macintosh computers - with most favouring PCs - and if they had smoked marijuana.

Howard Dean, John Edwards and John Kerry said they had. Al Sharpton, former General Wesley Clark, Senator Joe Lieberman and Representative Dennis Kucinich said they had not.

Former Senator Carol Moseley Braun refused to answer. Representative Richard Gephardt was not present at the debate.

DEMOCRAT CONTENDERS Wesley Clark Howard Dean John Edwards Richard Gephardt John Kerry Dennis Kucinich Joseph Lieberman Carol Moseley Braun Al Sharpton

The forum came as Mr Dean prepared to poll his supporters about how he should fund his campaign.

He is considering refusing government funds in favour of relying exclusively on money from supporters.

That would free him from campaign spending limits.

President George W Bush has refused federal funds and spent record amounts in his 2000 campaign.

Howard Dean has proved a surprisingly successful fundraiser, relying heavily on the internet.

Among the Democrats, only he and John Kerry are considered likely to be able to campaign without financial help from the government.