Dean at University of Miami today....sounding confident.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean addressed a partisan student crowd at the University of Miami today, predicting his party would wrest control of the U.S. House of Representatives -- and likely the Senate -- in next month's midterm elections.

''Twenty-eight days and eight hours -- if you include the poll closing time in Hawaii,'' Dean told the crowd of close to 300 at the university's Storer Auditorium in Coral Gables. ``And we do have a close race in Hawaii in Congress.''

.."Dean said Republican leaders had the opportunity to stand up for moral values when it came to Foley's conduct, but instead tried to save their ''political necks.'' Dean urged Democrats to challenge the GOP on the morality issue, saying Democratic stands on the environment, healthcare and other issues resonate with voters.

''We have believed for a long time that it is immoral for working people to have to work two jobs and come home and not have health insurance for themselves or their kids,'' Dean said.

While critical of Republicans, Dean also faulted Democrats nationally for complacent campaigning and voter outreach efforts during recent decades. Dean said the party too often didn't bother making its presence known in heavily Republican-leaning parts of the country, such as the South and Midwest, to its own detriment.

''We can win anywhere if you use the 50-state strategy,'' Dean said