June 4, 2007: The Democrats' first debate in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER – The 2008 Democratic presidential hopefuls sparred in New Hampshire last night in a wide-ranging, often heated debate that promised to test their appeal among influential New Hampshire primary voters.

Last night's nationally televised debate at Saint Anselm College was highlighted by several sharp exchanges that helped to delineate the differences between the eight contenders on stage.

Former Sen. John Edwards went on the offensive early when he attacked his two main rivals for keeping quiet on their way to the Senate floor during recent deliberations over a bill to fund the war in Iraq. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton opposed the measure, saying they would not support a bill that did not include a timeline for troop withdrawal.

"I think there is a difference between making very clear when the crucial moment comes on Congress ending this war, what your position is, and standing quiet," the former North Carolina senator said.

CNN lighting designer Michael Poley directs the placement of the stage lighting during preparations for the presidential primary debates at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown. (BOB LAPREE)

Live debate video stream begins about 7 p.m. at:

WMUR.COM or CNN.COM

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Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, fired back with a reference to Edwards' 2002 vote to authorize the war.

"The fact is I opposed this war from the start," he said, addressing Edwards directly. "You were about four and a half years late on the importance of this issue."

The New Hampshire debate -- sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader, CNN and WMUR -- pooled all eight of the party's major contenders for the 2008 nomination onto a single stage for just the second time. It was the first debate in New Hampshire this season.

National security issues and the war in Iraq occupied all of the debate's first hour. Candidates were unanimous in voicing their disapproval of President Bush's foreign policy, though there was at least one concession, from Obama, when moderator Wolf Blitzer, a CNN anchor, asked whether foiled terrorist plots such as the planned explosions at John F. Kennedy International Airport prove the Bush administration has succeeded in making the country safer.

Obama said the administration has done "some things" well. Clinton said the country is safer than it was, but said "we are not yet safe enough."

"I am a senator from New York," Clinton said. "I have lived with the aftermath of 9/11, and I have seen firsthand the terrible damage that can be inflicted on our country by a small band of terrorists who intend on foisting their way of life (on us)."

Over two hours, the candidates were grilled on a range of issues, including health care, illegal immigration, civil unions, the genocide in Darfur

Edwards went after Obama's recently released health care proposal, saying he did not believe it was "completely universal." Obama's plan differs from Edwards' in that it does not require individuals to buy health insurance.

Obama said his plan acknowledges the likelihood that poor Americans would not be able to pay into the system.

Edwards countered by saying, "I believe unless we have a law requiring every man, woman and child be covered, we're going to have millions of people who are not covered."

For the candidates, the New Hampshire debate presented a second chance to distinguish themselves from a crowded field. All eight last appeared on stage together April 26 in South Carolina.

That debate was widely viewed as a tame affair, notable more for the candidates' cordiality than for its few tense exchanges.

Last night seemed designed to be different, with the three candidates leading in most polls - Edwards, Clinton and Obama -- placed at adjacent podiums in the middle of the pack.

Clinton, in particular, seemed to be trying to strike a less confrontational tone. She was quick to compliment Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico for the negotiating skills he brought to her husband's administration, and she made a point of noting the similarities marking many of the candidates' positions.

"The differences among us are minor. The differences between us and the Republicans are major," she said. "And I don't want anybody in America to be confused."

Clinton reserved her criticism for the debate's moderator, Blitzer, who repeatedly asked the candidates to answer questions with a show of hands.

Several candidates objected when Blitzer asked whether, as President, they would assassinate Osama bin Laden if given the chance, even if it could result in civilian casualties.

Soon afterward, Blitzer asked whether the United States should use military force to stop the genocide in Darfur.

"Wolf, we're not going to engage in these hypotheticals," Clinton said to applause from the crowd.

Sen. Joe Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was particularly forceful in both his language and gestures. Biden was the only senator in the field who voted in favor of the recent supplemental war-funding bill, which Clinton, Obama and Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut opposed. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also rejected the bill.

Biden said he could not deny funding to U.S. troops, even if the bill did not have a timetable for withdrawal.

"Some things are worth losing elections over," he said.

Former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska stood alone at times. He was the only candidate who raised his hand when asked whether English should be made the national language. Gavel also said he would abolish earmarks for local projects in congressional legislation.

The debate was divided into two hour-long segments. In the first half, candidates took questions from Blitzer and the night's panelists: New Hampshire Union Leader State House Bureau Chief Tom Fahey and WMUR political director Scott Spradling.

After that, it was the audience's turn to grill the candidates.

An American Research Group poll of New Hampshire voters, released last week, showed Clinton with an almost 2-to-1 lead over her nearest rival, Edwards, besting him 34 percent to 18 percent. Obama came in third at 15 percent.

Other polls suggest a much closer race. A recent Zogby telephone survey shows Clinton and Obama almost neck and neck at 28 and 26 percent, respectively, with Edwards a distant third 15 percent.

Of course, there's still a long way to go. New Hampshire voters are not scheduled to go to the polls until Jan. 22, 2008, nearly eight months away.

Republicans will debate on the same stage Tuesday. Both debates are sponsored by CNN, the New Hampshire Union Leader, WMUR-TV and St. Anselm.

New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent Trent Spiner contributed to this report.