Iraq

Graham stands by antiwar position

WASHINGTON -- Despite the celebrations on the streets of Baghdad, Sen. Bob Graham on Wednesday repeated his opposition to the Iraq war and said it was undermining the battle against more dangerous terrorist groups.

In his first appearance with other Democratic presidential candidates, Graham said the United States was not doing enough to stop al-Qaida and similar groups.

Graham said he believed that Saddam Hussein was evil, but "he lives in a neighborhood with a lot of evil people."

The Florida senator said he voted against the Iraq war resolution because "I thought the war would make us less secure, not more secure."

The war prompted lots of disagreement among the nine candidates at the Children's Defense Fund forum at a Washington hotel. Opponents of the war such as Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, the Rev. Al Sharpton and former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun said the billions of dollars used for the war could be better spent on health care and education programs for children.

But supporters of the war such as Sens. Joseph Lieberman, John Kerry and John Edwards said the war should not divert attention from important domestic issues.

"It is not an 'either/or' choice," Edwards said. "It is actually the responsibility of the president of the United States to do two things at the same time."

Lieberman, the Connecticut senator who was Al Gore's running mate, reminded the crowd that President Bush could be defeated "because Al Gore and I did it in 2000."

Graham, who is just launching his campaign after recuperating from heart surgery, is considered more moderate than several of his opponents. But on the Children's Defense Fund's key issues of education and health care, Graham was in step with his rivals.

He was interrupted several times for applause when he spoke against President Bush's tax cuts and mentioned his opposition to the war. Graham is known for giving lengthy answers on policy questions, but Wednesday night he spoke mostly in succinct sound bites.

It appeared he was the only candidate who brought children to the forum -- his 8-year-old triplet granddaughters.

"I will be guided by the goal of assuring that those grandchildren -- and all of those in their generation -- have an opportunity to grow up in a better and safer America."

In his closing statement, Graham said, "President George W. Bush has decided that it is more important to give massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans than to invest in our children. As president of the United States, I will reverse that policy and assure that all of our children have the opportunity to be the best they can be."

After the debate, Graham said he was tentatively planning to make his formal campaign announcement April 28 in Tallahassee or Miami Lakes. He said the date may change by a day or two.