From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean Sunday accused Sen. John McCain of "pandering to the right-wing base in the Republican Party" over the Arizona Republican's recent criticism of the Clinton administration's approach to North Korea.

"The truth is, and Senator McCain knows this very well, is that not one nuclear weapon was added to the North Korea arsenal while Bill Clinton was president," Dean said in an interview on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

Democrats and Republicans have been trading charges about who is responsible for North Korea's nuclear weapon production. The issue is likely to continue to be a hot topic as the 2008 presidential campaign comes into full swing and McCain and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, weigh White House bids.

When asked by Blitzer if McCain is "the Republican you fear most in 2008," Dean responded, "Not if he keeps talking like that."

America Votes 2006