With a solid lead in Iowa, Howard Dean is the target of potshots from other candidates.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Under fire in a campaign debate, Howard Dean conceded grudgingly Sunday night that he never named a black or Latino to his cabinet during nearly 12 years as governor of Vermont.

“If you want to lecture people on race, you ought to have the background and track record to do that,” Al Sharpton snapped at the Democratic presidential front-runner in an emotionally charged exchange in the final debate before next week’s kickoff Iowa caucuses.

“I will take a backseat to no one in a commitment to civil rights in America,” Dean said moments later, eager to have the last word.

Dean, leading in the polls in Iowa as well as nationwide, also drew criticism from Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio for saying he could balance the budget without cutting Pentagon spending. And Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri questioned Dean closely about whether he could cut payroll taxes without harming Social Security.

Dean said he could. “I think cutting the payroll tax is not a bad idea,” he said. “We will not touch Social Security.”

Dean also said he would defer any middle class tax cut until he had balanced the budget – something he has previously pledged to do midway through a second term in office.

The debate unfolded a little more than a week before Iowans begin the selection of national convention delegates who will pick an opponent for President Bush.

“We’re past all this preliminary stuff. It’s time to choose a president,” said Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, reflecting the feeling of all the contenders who have spent more than a year traversing the state and visiting all 99 of its counties.