Dean urges supporters to 'take back' country

Presidential hopeful speaks to 1,200 in Dallas, raises money

"We need jobs in this country again, and you're not going to get that without balancing the budget," the former Vermont governor said.

"We're not going to say we're going to get rid of the tax cut. We're going to say, 'Would you rather have the tax cut or health insurance that can never be taken away?' "

Dr. Dean spoke at Dallas City Hall Plaza after spending part of his day at a private Dallas residence raising $60,000. Organizers said it's his first trip to Dallas as a presidential candidate.

Jennifer Gross, a small-business owner who lives in Flower Mound, called Dr. Dean's style "refreshing." She brought her 9-year-old son, Michael, who carried a large poster board printed with, "I'll have to pay for Bush's tax cut" in large black letters.

"Howard Dean has been very straightforward with people and speaking his mind. And I like that," she said. She added that she supports his stance on health care.

Dr. Dean, who was a pediatrician in practice with his wife before being elected governor in 1991, has said he believes the United States should guarantee health care to all citizens.

Polls show he is among the front-runners for the Democratic nomination.

Dr. Dean blasted the White House's stance in Iraq, saying it has alienated America from the rest of the world.

"People don't respect us anymore. I want to live in a country where people respect us."

Dr. Dean favors sending American troops into Liberia as part of an international peacekeeping force, saying the presence of international troops "will help us in Iraq."

He joked a few times in his speech about being a Yankee trying to get elected in the South. Campaign organizers said they have gathered enough signatures to put his name on the ballot of the Texas primary in March. Dr. Dean told reporters that he wouldn't neglect the Texas primary.

"There's plenty of Democrats in Texas, we just haven't heard from them in awhile," he said.