Iraq Dominates Dems' Presidential Debate

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

(CBS/AP)  Asked about a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld a ban on so-called partial birth abortions, several of the contenders replied they would not impose a litmus test on their own nominees to the high court.

At the same time, they stressed their support for abortion rights, and said their appointees to the bench would reflect that. “Any of my appointments to the high court would necessarily reflect my thinking,” said Kucinich, who did not mention that he opposed abortion rights until switching positions before he ran for the White House in 2004.

There were moments of levity, as when Williams referred to Biden's reputation for “verbosity” and asked whether he had the discipline to be a player on the world stage.

“Yes,” the Delaware lawmaker replied with uncharacteristic brevity.

Perhaps because the campaign is still in its early stages, there was little cross-stage criticism.

Gravel was an exception, when he said, “Some of these people frighten me, they frighten me. When you have main line candidates who say there's nothing off the table when it comes to Iran,” he said, adding that was “code for using” nuclear weapons.

Asked why he was not supporting a ban called by a leading civil rights group on travel to South Carolina while the Confederate flag flies on the grounds of the State Capitol in Columbia, Biden noted that Rep. James Clyburn, a black member of Congress from another part of the state, had invited them to the debate.

The flag “should be put in a museum,” added Obama, running the most competitive race in history for a black man. The Confederate flag was the banner of the secessionist pro-slavery southern states in the 1861-65 American Civil War.

The debate was about 40 minutes old when Clinton made the first mention of her husband, the former president. Responding to a question about the recent shooting spree at Virginia Tech, she began by saying, “I remember very well when I accompanied Bill to Columbine” — the Colorado high school that was the scene of another shooting spree a decade ago.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Bush's Iraq war policy found no supporters on the debate stage.

“I am proud that I opposed this war from the start,” said Obama — a jab at those on the stage who voted to authorize the invasion.

“The president has a fundamentally flawed policy,” said Biden. “The president should start off by not vetoing the legislation he says he will veto.”

Dodd said Mr. Bush was pursuing a “failed policy.”

Kucinich jabbed at the senators on stage, saying it made no sense to oppose the war and then turn around and vote for more money as they did. The Ohio lawmaker voted against the legislation that cleared Congress earlier in the day.

[richard mr]

I must be the only one that sees that the King has no clothes? We guaranteed the terrorist would follow us home, when we invaded Iraq and murdered a half million people that was a self fulfilling prophecy. We you give a press conference and tell the terrorist to bring it on? We you fabricate the reasons for going to war and kill three thousand American soldiers? And you cannot come to grips with the reality that you might have made a mistake. During the Democratic presidential debate the statement that the war was lost when we invaded Iraq was the truth, and the rest of the world knew it 4 years ago. But I am not here to tell you what you already know, the media never asked the right questions during the debate why not ask Mrs. Clinton how would she like some government agency coming into her home every other day when she's not there. Looking in her bedroom drawers, looking on her computer looking at all heard documents and mail. She voted for the Patriot act without even reading it, presidential candidate John Edwards ask him how would he like his phone being tapped and his neighbors pretending to be surveillance officers following him 24 hours a day. I think the country would like to know their answers, but these laws are not written for them. Only for innocent Americans like us who have to put up with this insanity every day look at the reality on my website www.itsavideoworld.com

[freedomisnot]

We the people of the right minded have joined together to buy you and all like minded first class airline tickets to go to Bagdad to negotiate with the well intended militias ,insurgents and any terrorists. Harry and Nancy have agreed to give you full support to negotiate a truce with all of the above. However, should things get nasty they will deny the credibilty of your mission and retract all support ( sound familar ). Should your headless bodies not be recovered under such circumstances you will be presumed dead and no longer a potential voter. Harry and Nancy promise to launch a full criminal investigation of any potential misconduct by alleged terrorists by the FBI should the evidence be sufficent to warrent the initiation of talks with the alledged host country were the alledged potential misconduct took place provided they are willing to jointly investigate those alledged potential misconducts with the appoval of the UN. Good luck on your mission of peace with Islamic Extremists.

[homespunlady]

George Custer, er Bush has foolishly led his party into a valley they can't seem to escape from and he foolishly refuses to listen even now.
His "uniting" certainly wasn't in his favor and it looks like even the Dems have united AGAINST him.

[pianoman42]

Please would CBS report and comment on remarks recently made by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Yingling on the Iraq war.

[sandy19731]

I would say he didntinhale for about five minutes.

[huskerarmy]

What is the point in continuously reminding us that Obama has a "muslim" name? Would one of you neo-cons please answer this question?

[bigsk8fan]

Here is another good headline, "More American Soldiers Died Today in George Bush's Illegal War of Aggression in Iraq".

And when he leaves office, "George Bush added to list of defendants, including Donald Rumsfeld, in War Crimes Against Humanity."

And today's headline, "Democrats Not the Same Bush RubberStamp that Republican Lacky Congressmen Are."

Ironically, the war against the Taliban is the only legitimate use of force by Bush. Too bad he went too far and added the illegal war in Iraq. He might actually have kept the support of the American people, and world opinion. The Taliban actually protected Al Qaeda who was responsible for 9/11. No Iraqis were involved.

[jjp735i]

There was not really anything new here.
Even the questions seem to the the same and the answers are never a direct truth. Just the same old spin.

[gunownerdan]

One thing is for sure, in politics the best prostitute will get the most money and once again we will get the best president big money can buy!

[nonameabc]

Probably DEM should more working closer instead of "civil war", by knowing what the real goal... kick REP out of the HOUSE.

[mcvet]

There are some things we must all agree this President must be. The top of the List has to be Statesman. As we have seen all to well these last 8 years, any Chimp can be trained to order the Military to distroy things but only a true Statesman can USE the Military Might of the Nation to settle issues and disputes with our friends and adversaries. The next President MUST believe strongly in the Seperation of Church and State because only through Seperation of Church and State will there EVER be peace on this planet.

[crater7]

Here's my candiate:
NO THANKS, WE ALREADY HAVE DOGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

[radiob-2009]

Here is my candiate , he is honest strong, caring believes in self defense and of those whom he loves. He is loyal, and is not greedy , places others before himself.He opposes those who would reek havoc on our enviroment, believes in recycling. He is family values orientated. Corporations do not impress him. Diplomacy comes first with him until he feels threatened. He is not prejudiced as being half black and white. Who is he, He is my dog.

[iceman_1960]

"George Bush is looking better every day."
- Posted by rhs648 at 01:16 AM : Apr 27, 2007

Get help.

[iceman_1960]

"Please avoid the use of mixed metaphors."

A mixed metaphor is one that leaps, in the course of a figure, to a second identification inconsistent with the first one. Example: "He stepped up to the plate and grabbed the bull by the horns," where two commonly used metaphors are confused to create a nonsensical image.

(Or going from boxing to poker.)

[iceman_1960]

"I have officially knocked you out of the ring wayfedup. You brought nothing to the table in the way of intelligent comments or facts."
- Posted by cbville72 at 11:18 PM : Apr 26, 2007

Please avoid the use of mixed metaphors.

We ask you this in Shakespeare's name, Amen.

[feelfree1]

djermano1,

Re: "Although she voted for the War, I think most Americans fell for the Bush lie in going to War."

Doesn't a U.S. Senator have a greater obligation than most to check the facts for herself? Millions of others were able to determine this for themselves; others who were not U.S. Senators. Clinton is grossly incompetent in this matter at best, and is complicit in the AIPAC/neo-con global war of terror, at worst.

Hillary was steadfastly pro-war until barely 6 months ago. Hillary would likely bomb Iran at the behest of the Israeli extremists.

Re: "On top of the Anthrax threats..."

Yeah the anthrax attacks.

I remember when Tom Dashle tried to stand up on his hind legs against the Bush regime, until he got his anthrax-a-gram. Dashle changed his tune shortly therafter.

What ever happened with that, anyway? I guess we just decided to let byegones, be byegones on that one, eh?

[rhs648]

It's all politics folks. It doesn't matter if it is 1977, 1987, or 2007. Some things never change. Democrats today and Republicans tomorrow. One thing both parties can count on is that people have short memories and even shorter attention spans.

[rhs648]

Remember the expression "you don't miss something until you lose it." Obama, Hillary, McCain, Edwards, or Rudy. George Bush is looking better every day.

[djermano1]

We need a change of the Washington DogHouse.
Hillary a woman makes that change real and long overdue. We need women in leadership to do things for the country...instead of killing.

Although she voted for the War, I think most Americans fell for the Bush lie in going to War. On top of the Anthrax threats I think the thinking then was to wage War. I know I didn't support the War, but people who say they are wanting to end it, should be given the opportunity to do it. Unlike Bush who voted for the War he still promotes it. He is a failed leader. Hillary would be a good change and i think a good leader.