Iraq Dominates Dems' Presidential Debate

8 Presidential Candidates Try To Distinguish Themselves In First Debate Of '08 Race

(CBS/AP)  Democratic presidential hopefuls flashed their anti-war credentials and heaped criticism on President Bush's Iraq policy in an early first debate of the 2008 campaign.

“The first day I would get us out of Iraq by diplomacy,” said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, one of eight rivals on the debate stage Thursday night.

“If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I am president, I will,” pledged Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

But Clinton found herself on the receiving end of criticism moments later when former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said she or anyone else who voted to authorize the war should “search their conscience.”

Edwards, in the Senate at the time, also cast his vote for the invasion, but he has since apologized for it.

Of the eight foes participating in the debate at South Carolina State University, four voted earlier in the day to support legislation that cleared Congress and requires the beginning of a troop withdrawal by Oct. 1. The legislation sets a goal of a complete withdrawal by April 1, 2008.

“We are one signature away from ending this war,” said Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. He said if Mr. Bush won't change his mind about vetoing the bill, Democrats need to work on rounding up enough Republican votes to override him.

In addition to Obama and Clinton, Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut also cast votes earlier in the day in favor of the legislation.

Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also participated in the debate.

Mr. Bush is barred by the Constitution from running for re-election next fall, and the result is an extraordinarily early start to the campaign to succeed him.

The state in which the debate was held — South Carolina — has only been carried by one Democrat since 1960. African-Americans make up 29.9 percent of the state's population, reports CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield.

In '04, nearly half the Democratic vote was black, Greenfield reports, which is why Democrats put this primary close to the starting line.

The debate — nine months before the kickoff Iowa caucuses — was 90 minutes long without opening or closing statements from the candidates. Instead, each of the eight fielded questions in turn.

That made for a rapid-fire debate but prevented follow-up questions when any of the eight sidestepped — as when Clinton and Biden avoided answering when asked whether they agreed with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's assessment that the Iraq war is lost.

While Iraq dominated the debate's early moments, Edwards was asked about having paid for a $400 (euro294) haircut from campaign donations rather than from his own wallet.

“That was a mistake, which we remedied,” he said. A wealthy former trial lawyer, he recalled once having gone to dinner at a restaurant as a young child and having to leave because his father could not afford the prices.

“I've not forgotten where I came from,” he said.

Five of the eight — Gravel, Biden, Dodd, Kucinich and Richardson — raised their hands when moderator Brian Williams of NBC News asked whether they had ever had a gun in their home.

[booyaw_77]

There weren't nuth'n more embarassing than the democratic primary debate. Nuth'n. Disorganization? Crazy hairy spaz attacks? Back stabbing? They say they're running against "the republicans", but I don't believe'em.

[booyaw_77]

The worst thing I find about the debates is that its a resume. They'll often give us their resume. Comparing themselves to each other like they're on Trump's "You're fired". And thats not what a debate is supposed to be about. There should be no comparisons to each other. There should be no knocking each other. This is not a business. This is an election. Let us decide whose the best candidate, not the candidates.

[booyaw_77]

The worst thing a candidate can do is "sell him/herself". Thats the worst thing. Because democrats have what I call "vacuum cleaner salesman syndrome". They all too often appear like they're hairy krishna shoe salesman knocking at your door trying to sell you a non-brand name product.

Think of it as a credit card. Ya git a whole buncha credit card offers in the mail, but it is an unsaid rule that if its a good credit card, you gotta go to it, and it doesn't come to you.

Thats what Bush is: One of them there credit cards that we went to think'n it was better.

[ckcool192000]

I was unaware of the debate tonight until just now reading this. I must say that I am interested in what these candiates have to say. The republican debate will be held in Columbia, SC on May 15. At 5:00 that afternoon, across the streen from the building housing the debate, there will be a Fair Tax rally, which has not been widely publisized yet.

I would love to see a non partisain debate between all the hopefulls...on big room, all the canidates. Make it about a 4 hour debate, on every issue from Iraq to Immigration.

[booyaw_77]

Gore was likely one of the best presidential candidates we ever had. I mean, I'm talk'n upsidedown stuff. No war with Iraq.. Environmental revolution? Getting rid of all those eyesores? Disease? You name it, Gore was one of the best. But it was the debate that killed him. He "sold the farm". He looked like a god damned cheap shoe salesman. NOBODY gets what dat guy was debate'n about. NOBODY! It was amazing.. I walked away from the Gore debates think'n it was a slam dunk to not vote for him.

[booyaw_77]

.. all smiles and.. fancy hair.. and fancy fair.. and "men of the world". WHO DOESN'T HATE THAT STUFF? Huh?

This is not some god damned Walmart. THIS IS AMERICA! THIS IS AN ELECTION! We're electing a statesman! Not an embarassment. You got dem der fancy grey hairs! Now git on the ball, and stop reading from yer god damned scripts. There's people out ther hungry.. HUNGRY LIKE YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE! Fer the truth! Give it to'em. And quit knocking each other, nor pat'n each other on the back. This ain't no ******* freak show.

[antoniof123]

The Democrats at least have something to say The Republicans have already said it. The top three canidates of the family party of god have 6 divorces between them 9 marriages, at least 3 cases of cheating on their former wives. The Democrats no Divorces and the only case of cheating was forgiven. So the real question is do as I say and not as I do party or one that just does the right thing.

[hawksprings]

Dembots running for office are hysterically funny to watch.
They try to out-do each other in how conservative and Republican-like they are to get elected. Because if they ran on what they REALLY believe, they would never win a national election.

[perception5]

From realclearpolitics.....our next President:

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney accused Democrats of cowardice in ducking presidential debates hosted by sponsors they dislike, saying that Republicans have proven more willing to appear in potentially hostile forums.
Romney said the May 3 debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library -- co-sponsored by The Politico and MSNBC -- proves that Republicans "have a lot more courage of our convictions," because they are willing to take questions from a moderator who earlier in his career worked as an aide to Democratic politicians. Democratic presidential candidates have refused to take part in two debates co-sponsored by Fox News, arguing that the network is slanted toward Republicans.

"Why is it that the Democrats wouldn't even go on Fox, but we Republicans are happy to sit there and have Chris Matthews of the Carter administration, former chief of staff to (ex-House speaker) Tip O'Neill?" asked Romney, in a Tuesday evening interview here with The Politico. "We're happy to sit there and have him dish questions to us, but they won't even go on Fox."

[infidel_us]

Dembots running for office are hysterically funny to watch.
Posted by hawksprings at 03:11 PM : Apr 26, 2007

And listen to! I LOVE the Hillary "southern accent" when she's in front of blacks. Oh, Gore too...remember that?? Doing his black southern preacher??? I honestly don't know how they sleep at night.

[infidel_us]

or one that just does the right thing.
Posted by antoniof123 at 01:15 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Am I reading this right??? You're gonna vote republican??? The party that does the right hing, right??? Right!!!! :)

Actually, I agree. The field of truly honorable candidates is pathetically slim. If McCain were 10 years younger and not a RINO turncoat, I could maybe back him. He's the only one I consider a man of honor - just because of his Vietnam service.

[huskerarmy]

Hey all you redneck neo-con clones. One of these candidates will be your next president. Get used to it!

[booyaw_77]

I like that mexican dude.

[kansas1946]

Well, I can see by the intellegent comments on this message stream, that the Republicans are running scared. It really is sad that so far they have no candidate that is inspirational. The Democrats have two candidates that I would vote for (as in independent) but the Republicans have no one. Come on Republicans, this is a wide open election. Can't you find one person that doesn't have a bunch of baggage, or knows where they stand, or cares about American instead of GWB's failed agenda.

[mcvet]

Amazing! Now folks the Third Reich would be PROUD of our Nazi's. Talk about hate for those who don't agree with you? LOL The good part is that the Democrats have some good ideas as to how to get this nation back on course again and how to stop Bin Laden. It will not be easy though as most experts say he not only has rebuilt his machine of Terror but is now stronger than when he attacked us. Most of these canidates could again produce the kinds of Ally support we had in the FIRST Gulf War and in Bosina. If not for our previous leaders and the good will they produced in the world we'd be in much worse shape. That has got to be priority ONE, getting a President that can at least visit other nations without an Army surrounding them.

[wayfedup]

Come on Republicans, this is a wide open election. Can't you find one person that doesn't have a bunch of baggage, or knows where they stand, or cares about American instead of GWB's failed agenda.
Posted by kansas1946 at 08:19 PM : Apr 26, 2007

sadly, kansas1946, the Neocons have ALL been drinking from the SAME poisoned batch of Koolaid; There isn't ONE of them anywhere that I'd trust to be elected dogcatcher.

[jscribe58]

I'm so glad the Democrats started campaigning so early. It gives the voters a chance to see what a bunch of phonies they are. They've been screaming and whining for so long, they don't know how to stop. Already they're tripping over each other to tell everyone what a terrible guy Bush is. What will happen in '08 remains to be seen, but at least I'll always know that all of you who bought the Democratic lies had plenty of time to see reality.

[wayfedup]

Come on Republicans, this is a wide open election. Can't you find one person that doesn't have a bunch of baggage, or knows where they stand, or cares about American instead of GWB's failed agenda.
Posted by kansas1946 at 08:19 PM : Apr 26, 2007


I'm gonna go on record here tonight, and say that there is NO WAY in H*ELL a REPUBLICAN will be elected for at LEAST 12 years! maybe more.

[jn122736]

kansas1946;

The reason there are so many bush apologist posting on this link is because they no longer have anything or anybody in their own party to brag about.

The only thing they can do is use name-calling and insults against the other party (any democrat). Facts and truth mean nothing to them. It%u2019s a shame they can%u2019t understand that that is the major reason they have fallen so far.

Today%u2019s religious right makes Christianity look like a sham.

[weisisobese]

Once again .. this is the filth we're supposed to choose from?? Doesn't anybody think it's a bit strange that Hillary is a NEW YORK Senator?? LOL!! How did that happen exactly - pick and choose the state of your choice? It's almost like a bad high school president election movie!

[wayfedup]

Once again .. this is the filth we're supposed to choose from??
posted by weisisobese

No, you can waste your vote on ANY republican you like... however the NEXT U.S. President is GOING to be a DEMOCRAT!!!

[booyaw_77]

Hillary Clinton did good. I thought she was exceptional with regards to healthcare. Keep yer chin up, Hillary!

Edwards was an accolade. Only I wish he would'a told the questioner to "***** off" when they asked him about his hair cut.

Kucinich was awesome. A man who knew it all from the very start. He just seemed a little bit too desperate to me, talking about his house. It seemed like a resume.

Obama was impeccable! Pure republican nightmare. But he's gotta be more specific. More clear.

That guy from Alaska was an azzzzz kicker. My hats off to him.

[booyaw_77]

Generic drugs is what I thought all the candidates forgot. Thats the only way you're gonna make healthcare non-exclusive. Ya gotta get the price of drugs down. And the only way to do that is to make drugs generic. With quality standards? It can be done.

[down-ndirty]

"Doesn't anybody think it's a bit strange that Hillary is a NEW YORK Senator?? LOL!! How did that happen exactly - pick and choose the state of your choice?" Posted by weisisobese at 08:55 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Yep. There's an abundance of carpetbaggers. Jeb Bush, a Texan, moved to Florida just to be governor. Fortunately they wised up and dumped him.

Unemployed politician? Move to another state and become their politician. Politicians for sale. LOL!!

Actually, ask the New Yorkers and they will say Clinton has done a good job. Must be true; they re-elected her.

Dynasties are becoming "royalty" in this country. In the past 20 years we have had TWO families in the White House: Bush and Clinton. If Clinton becomes president it will be two families in 24 years, and possibly 28. If Jeb Bush wins in 2012 it could possibly be TWO families running this country for 36 years.

It's dammned hard to believe that there isn't SOMEONE out there more qualified than another Clinton or Bush.

Again, we will pick the next president and [supposed] leader of the free world from a handful of lackeys.

[pakaal]

"Mr. Bush is barred by the Constitution from running for re-election next fall, and the result is an extraordinarily early start to the campaign to succeed him."

Huh? I understand the first part (and am oh-so-thankful for that!), but my take on seeing so many runners - on both sides of 'the bench' - popping up so far ahead of elections, is that an overwhelming majority of us are really looking forward to the day when Bush is OUT of that office.

[booyaw_77]

We're a super-power alright, you right wing lunatic ***. We're just not war-mongerers. Our "super" is for the american people.

[down-ndirty]

"...an overwhelming majority of us are really looking forward to the day when Bush is OUT of that office." Posted by pakaal at 09:14 PM : Apr 26, 2007

That's an absolute truth! Just look at his poll numbers. Hopefully he will drag McCain and Guiliani down with him.

[dirtydog55]

"...but at least I'll always know that all of you who bought the Democratic lies had plenty of time to see reality." Posted by jscribe58 at 08:49 PM : Apr 26, 2007

"...Democratic lies..." LOL!! Most, if not all, politicians lie; some more than others. Bush was just better at it and told more lies and conned more people [like you]. The funny thing is that Bush believed his own lies. LOL!!

[wayfedup]

Bush was just better at it and told more lies and conned more people [like you]. The funny thing is that Bush believed his own lies. LOL!!

Posted by dirtydog55 at 09:26 PM : Apr 26, 2007


dirtydog... Bush didn't fool that many people; they KNEw he was lying from jump street- they DIDN'T CARE about anything but the permanent tax cuts Bush/Cheney promised them. they are GREEDY FOOLS who ONLY care about their stock portfolios.

[realpatriot1]

jscribe,

You must be joking. You Republicans have been whining about Clinton since 1993. He hasn't been President over 6 years and you're all still whining about him.

You can't get any phonier than Guliani and McCain, so you need to worry about your own party..really worry!

Your sense of reality is indicative in your assertion that what's going to happen in 2008 remains to be seen...dream on! If you thought November was bad, keep sinking with The Titantic.

[nyteryder2]

More demoblowhard time wasting... Posted by badaxmofo at 08:15 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Did you have something to say, badax?

Other than to make a specious comment, why did you bother watching it?

[joenc-2009]

The democratic field SPANKS the republican field. I'd take any of the top 5 in the Democratic field over the ~10 republicans running.

And its funny that Rudy and McCain, the 2 LIBERAL replublicans, are lead that pack.

The righties must be going nuts over that. And Rudy and McCain seem to be doing everything they can to alienate moderate democrats who might have considered them in the past ... even if they win the GOP primary, they won't beat a ticket of the current dems.

[wayfedup]

Other than to make a specious comment, why did you bother watching it?

Posted by nyteryder2 at 09:34 PM : Apr 26, 2007


... because that's what the RNC PAYS him, as well as all of the other neocon *** posters here to do.

[pakaal]

Just look at his poll numbers. Hopefully he will drag McCain and Guiliani down with him.
Posted by down-ndirty

Yeah, what newspaper was it? The Wall Street Journal? Bush is at 28% approval rating right now! I don't know how much lower it can get, we've gotta be cutting into the fringe core of die-hard supporters at this point.

I heartily encourage Giuliani and McCain to keep supporting his policies. Just so we all know where everyone stands on the issues come votin' time....

[wayfedup]

Yeah, what newspaper was it? The Wall Street Journal? Bush is at 28% approval rating right now! I don't know how much lower it can get, we've gotta be cutting into the fringe core of die-hard supporters at this point.


What do all die-hard Bushies have in common? Halliburton stock would be MY GUESS!

[feelfree1]

"Iraq Dominates Dems' Presidential Debate"

If that is the case, this must have been a real snoozer of a debate. I see 4 corporate/AIPAC slaves at the podium, 3 out of four which voted in FAVOR of giving surrendering their Constitutional right do decide in matters of war, over to the illegitimate puppet-Commander-in-Chimp.

Hillary was enthusiastically PRO-WAR as little as 6 MONTHS AGO, while campaigning for Senate seat, for furk sake!!! Edwards/Kerry 2004 ran on a platform of ADDING 40,000 MORE TROOPS to the fraud-based, catastrophic, disgraceful, and ILLEGAL war against Iraq, a a time when it was already clear that the invasion was a FAILURE and a crippling multi-front defeat!!! What a couple of JACKASSES!!!

Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Joe Biden, and Sen. Hilary Rodham Clinton, should all apologize for their abominable performance, resign, and take their place next to the Bush regime facing war-crimes tribunals, for their aid and comfort which they have so often given to the Bush regime terrorists.

[dirtydog55]

they are GREEDY FOOLS who ONLY care about their stock portfolios. Posted by wayfedup at 09:30 PM : Apr 26, 2007

You're right, wayfedup. Greed did play a big part. Greed and religious fanaticism--what a combo!

[wayfedup]

Well, HELLO Singinprick! Long time, no miss!

[pakaal]

I wonder what Hillary flip flopped on during this debate...
Posted by singinrick at 09:50 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Hmm, he comes to post his lack of knowledge on a comments board. Ohhkayyy....

[wayfedup]

Hmm, he comes to post his lack of knowledge on a comments board. Ohhkayyy....
Posted by pakaal at 09:55 PM : Apr 26, 2007


looks like he missed the debate... I guess he couldn't bear to see his NEXT President !

[pakaal]

looks like he missed the debate... I guess he couldn't bear to see his NEXT President !
Posted by wayfedup

Who's your pick?

You know, someone I wouldn't mind voting for but isn't running is Harry Reid. A real insider, but hey.

[feelfree1]

The only candidate running with any credibility about the Iraq war is Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who was apparently not invited. Kucinich is the only candidate running who has opposed the Iraq debacle from the start, and has maintained a consistent resistance to the Bush League war of terror. He is the only Congressman who has filed Articles of Impeachment against ******** Cheney, which he did earlier this week.

If the Democrats need any advice on the Iraq war, they should seek guidance from Mr. Kucinich.

While Obama was allegedly opposed to the invasion of Iraq, he was not in office at that time, so he did not have the opportunity to vote on it. Obama does strike me as a bit more genuine than Clinton or Biden, but he has also publicly %u2018sworn his allegiance%u2019 to AIPAC/Israeli extremists, which disqualifies him from my list of possibilities.

If the Democrat Party wanted to offer the American people a respectable alternative to the Bush regime, Obama would represent the CONSERVATIVE element of the Party. I hope the Democrats join the Republican drift towards irrelevance, so that we might elect a few more non-Corporate/AIPAC concubines into leadership positions.

While not as many national level Democrats deserve to face as compared to the members of the Bush regime, many still don%u2019t belong making decisions for the rest of us.

It%u2019s time for some house cleaning!

[wayfedup]

Who's your pick?

You know, someone I wouldn't mind voting for but isn't running is Harry Reid. A real insider, but hey.
Posted by pakaal at 10:00 PM : Apr 26, 2007


I like Edwards,or Obama, but I'll vote for Hillary if she's the nominee.

[radiob-2009]

When is a real candiate going to run? One that is not bought by the corporations any party and represents Americans?

[feelfree1]

Correction:

My last paragraph should have read-

"While not as many national level Democrats deserve to face (PRISON) as compared to the members of the Bush regime, many still don%u2019t belong making decisions for the rest of us."

[pakaal]

I like Edwards,or Obama, but I'll vote for Hillary if she's the nominee.
Posted by wayfedup at 10:04 PM : Apr 26, 2007

I kinda like both. It'd be interesting to watch Obama and Clinton squirm on a P/VP ticket (who's P? Who's VP?), but in the end Edwards/Obama is pretty appealing.

[wayfedup]

I kinda like both. It'd be interesting to watch Obama and Clinton squirm on a P/VP ticket (who's P? Who's VP?), but in the end Edwards/Obama is pretty appealing.
Posted by pakaal at 10:08 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Agreed, its a WIN/WIN ticket either way.

[radiob-2009]

With the choices that are available I am going to write in my dog.

[wayfedup]

With the choices that are available I am going to write in my dog.
Posted by radiob at 10:10 PM : Apr 26, 2007


Shave his A$$ and teach him to walk backwards, and he'd make a DANDY REPUBLICAN!!!

[radiob-2009]

All of them on both sides note where they give speeches and who they endorse and research those groups. Follow the money on both sides. No thanks.