COLUMBIA — Retired U.S. Rep. Richard A. Gephardt touched off three standing ovations at the state Democratic Party’s convention Saturday as he ripped into the Republican occupying the White House.

“George Bush is, by far, the worst person who’s ever been president of the United States,” said Gephardt, for 28 years D-St. Louis County, and who made two unsuccessful bids for the White House himself.

When he ran for president in 2004, Gephardt recalled, “I called (Bush) a ‘miserable failure…and some took umbrage.”

Now, Gephardt continued, “He has totally messed it up…even Republicans will agree that he messed it up.”

Gephardt then roared: “Gasoline is $4 a gallon, on its way to $8 a gallon, and this man sits there, clueless!”

Gephardt supports Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president, but made clear in his speech that all Democrats must unite behind whoever gets the nomination.

He made no critical comments about her rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. “I think she’s a great candidate and would make a great president…But I also believe we have two great candidates for president of the United States.”

“Some people say this primary has gone on too long, but I’m not one of them,” Gephardt said. Still, “when the primaries are done…this party has to come together and unify like it never has.”