Republicans at the statehouse are mocking the battle cry Howard Dean let loose last night in West Des Moines. You’ve no doubt heard Howard Dean’s, crescendo from last night. Well, House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City held a news conference today, and jokingly mimicked Dean’s “screeches,” as Rants vowed to take the Republican message to Washington County, Woodbury County, Pottawattamie County, and Linn County among others. Others couldn’t help but laugh every time they’ve heard Dean’s outburst — or the Rants imitation.