Democrats debate war, taxes, jobs

[w4rma]

N.Y. forum begins with questions over Clark’s credentials

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 — All 10 Democrats who want President Bush’s job were squaring off Thursday in a two-hour debate that began with a question about the credentials of the newest contender — retired Gen. Wesley Clark — and then shifted to Iraq, tax policy and jobs.

THE FORUM, being held at Pace University in New York City, began at 4 p.m. ET and is being televised on CNBC. It will be rebroadcast on MSNBC at 9 p.m. ET.

Asked in the debate’s first question about favorable comments he made about Bush as recently as 2001, Clark emphatically presented his credentials as a Democrat and attacked the president as “a man who recklessly cut taxes, who recklessly took us into war in Iraq.”

Clark did not disavow his earlier remarks and instead said he is pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-environment and pro-health, adding “that’s why I am proud to be a Democrat.”

Rival Howard Dean passed up an opportunity to criticize Clark’s recent political conversion.

“It’s up to the voters in the Democratic Party to determine,” he said. Dean, the former Vermont governor whose campaign has surprised the political pundits, quickly pivoted to other issues.

“The biggest issue in this campaign is the question of patriotism and democracy. I’m tired of (Attorney General) John Ashcroft and (Vice President) Dick Cheney ... laying claim to the American flag.”

TAX CUT DIFFERENCES

The Democrats quickly began jabbing one another, exposing differences over tax cut policy.
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http://www.msnbc.com/news/971672.asp?0cv=CA01

[_NorCal_D_]

1. Great!

I can't wait to see the debate.