As Democrats try to unify the party after a bruising 17-month long primary campaign, conflict between two party leaders appears to linger from the 2006 campaign.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California praised Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's "50-state strategy," a plan to develop and build parties in all 50 states rather than just the traditional battleground states.

Dean pointed to his tie, which was designed with a red and blue map of the United States.

"Rahm told me to wear it today," Dean said.

If humor conceals one's true feelings, there might have been an element of a jab in Dean's comment.

In 2006, Dean and Rahm Emanuel, then chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sparred over how and where to spend the party's money.

Dean wanted to spend to beef up state party organizations in so-called Republican-leaning "Red States" whereas Emanuel wanted to spend in states where Democrats were most likely to win House races.

Emanuel, frustrated that Dean was not committing more money to winning the House, cursed out Dean in a meeting in 2006. There's a Washington Post story about the meeting if you want to spend time Googling it.

Dean eventually pledged $250,000 for each competitive House race. Democrats won more than enough seats to reclaim the majority they lost in 1994.

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