Oh boy, oh boy, it’s a Tweetfight!

In this corner, former Vermont Governor and DNC chair Howard Dean!

In that corner, Ron Fournier, senior political columnist for the National Journal and longtime bete noire of liberal politicos. At the NJ and previously for the Associated Press, Fournier’s coverage has been notably harsh on Democrats and relatively soft on Republicans.

So, of course, a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy puts her firmly in the crosshairs. Fournier’s latest hack job: a gossipy, fact-free piece floating rumors that Hillary’s email practices may have been related to Clinton Foundation fundraising. Specifically, that she might have been using her pull as Secretary of State to induce fat contributions from foreign governments and potentates.

Fournier comes right out and says there is “no evidence of wrongdoing,” but that doesn’t stop him from filling his column with the kinds of leading questions you usually expect from Fox News or Darrell Issa:

Is the foundation clean? Is it corrupt? Or is the truth in the muddy middle, where we so often find the Clintons? … Without those emails, we may never be able to follow the money. Could that be why she hasn’t coughed up the server?

He even makes it clear he has a personal beef with the Clintons and what he calls “their entitlement, outsized victimization, and an aggravating belief in the ends justifying the means.”

Hmm, yeah, that sounds like a journalist to me.

Fournier, being a multi-platform content provider, dutifully Tweeted about his “scoop.”

Hillary Clinton Emails May be Key to Addressing ‘Pay to Play’ Whispers at the @ClintonFdn http://t.co/zTmhDHJfWF

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) March 9, 2015

This is where the good Dr. Dean stepped into Fournier’s cesspool.

.@ron_fournier Ron, how is this serious journalism. There is not a fact in here. 100%speculation

— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) March 8, 2015

Fournier’s self-satisfied response:

@GovHowardDean I suspect you’re hearing privately from the same Dems I am. If not, you will. Would love to catch up soon. Take care

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) March 8, 2015

Now there’s Washington schmoozing at its grossest: “I’m right, you’re wrong, but hey, let’s do lunch! Have your people call my people.” Dean tries to pin him down:

@ron_fournier you didn’t answer my question. Where are the facts. All based on anonymous sources. Come on.

— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) March 8, 2015

Fournier, being a veteran of the Beltway game, is having none of it.

@GovHowardDean Due respect, column filled with inconvenient facts. As for the anonymous source, you can’t deny you’re hearing same. Be well

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) March 8, 2015

Good God, what a slimeball. If Fournier’s column is notable for anything, it’s for the complete lack of facts. It’s nothing but rumor and characters assassination. And he has the gall to top it off with “Be well.” I’m feeling the need for a shower. Dean’s redirect:

.@ron_fournier what in your column is factual?

— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) March 8, 2015

To which Fournier can offer nothing but a hasty exit:

.@GovHowardDean Gotta run, sir. Do suggest it is far easier for you to get @HillaryClinton to do what’s right than to influence what I write

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) March 8, 2015

“Gotta run,” indeed. Can’t stay and let himself be pinned down, can he? Dean closes with a dollop of sarcasm.

.@ron_fournier we can agree on that

— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) March 9, 2015

The two protagonists return to their respective corners.

Props to Dean for a noble effort. But Fournier has been a slime merchant for far too long to waste much time on a mere former governor, Presidential front-runner and major-party chair. Ron Fournier has bigger fish to fry, and a whole lot of grease to fry ’em in.