(Columbia-AP) Jan. 7, 2004 -- Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean is now taking shots from a former South Carolina attorney general who is running for senator.

Republican Charlie Condon released his new television ad Wednesday and says Dean is a real threat to American security. In the ad, Condon says the "Howard Dean Democrats" oppose the fight against Saddam Hussein and that's just wrong.

The ad is Condon's first in a crowded GOP primary race to fill the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.

Condon says people need to know Dean opposes President Bush's policy on striking nations that harbor terrorists. Condon says as the Democrats' likely nominee Dean is a person who could come into power and threaten the country's security.

Posted 8:59pm by BrettWitt