Political parade By Bill Adair, Times Washington Bureau Chief Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls campaigned before the nation's largest firefighters union Wednesday. Here's a quick look at what they said and how they acted.
Six Democrats and five Republicans spoke during a marathon campaign forum before the firefighters union March 14. Some of the highlights:
	Former Sen. John Edwards	Sen. Chris Dodd	Sen. Barack Obama	Gov. Bill Richardson	Sen. Hillary Clinton	Sen. Joe Biden	Sen. John McCain	Sen. Chuck Hagel	Rep. Duncan Hunter	Sen. Sam Brownback	Former Gov. Jim Gilmore
	D-N.C.	D-Conn	D-Ill.	D-N.M.	D-N.Y.	D-Del.	R-Ariz	R-Neb.	R-Calif.	R-Kan.	R-Va.
Apparel	Dark suit, blue tie	Dark suit, blue tie	Dark suit, blue and red tie	Dark suit, red striped tie	Gray flowered suit; no tie	Blue dress shirt, blue tie, slacks	Dark suit, red tie	Dark suit, blue tie	Dark suit, blue tie	Dark suit, red tie	Dark suit, red tie
Main theme	I support unions	I support unions	I will support veterans and firefighters	I will stand up for the middle class	I will stand up for the middle class	I support unions	We can't cut and run from Iraq	No apparent theme	America should stand tough against enemies	Hope, growth and family	I will defend the homeland
Sound bite	"We should have health care for every single man, woman and child in America."	"Working people in this country are feeling the pressure like never, ever before."	"Washington has become a place where politics has become a business instead of a mission."	"We cannot forget the middle class"	"For six long years, our president has not seen the vast majority of Americans."	"The middle class is more uncertain about their future than any time in the last 50 years."	"It's a terrible thing, war - but not the worst thing."	"We have great challenges ahead. We should confront those as Americans always have."	"We're trying to expand freedom in a tough part of the world."	The tax code "deserves to be taken behind a barn and killed with a dull ax."	"When I'm president, the radios are going to work"
Why I love firefighters/union members	"I think you are heroes and you deserve people who will stand with you and walk the lines with you."	"Firefighting isn't just about fighting fires."	"It is a noble calling to see a building ablaze and want to rush in."	"You're all heroes"	"I know that for all of you, courage is a job requirement."	Firefighters saved his kids after car crash and responded when lightning struck his house. "We owe you big."	"I’m in the company of heroes here and I am grateful for the privilege."	Sept. 11 "did remind us of who really serves this country."	"Our motto is that when it comes to supporting firefighters, the best politics is no politics"	Praised firefighters who extinguished blaze in his apartment building	"My father was a member of the amalgamated meatcutters for decades and decades."
On Iraq	Only made brief reference	Troops need better body armor	"A war that should have never been authorized"	Set deadline for withdrawal, diplomacy with neighbors	"We should end this escalation now"	Praised plan to divide Iraq into three regions	Troop surge looks promising	Not mentioned	"In Iraq, freedom hangs in the balance."	Praised plan to divide Iraq into three regions	Supports troop surge, opposes timetable for withdrawal
Key points	Universal health care, support for veterans benefits	Veterans deserve good care, workers should be able to unionize	Veterans deserve better care, the U.S. should leave Iraq	More tax incentives to keep jobs in U.S.; universal health care	Need to equip first responders, stay tough against terrorists	Unions have helped America	First responders need better gear	Sense of community	Need to expand border fence, break down trade barriers	U.S. border should be secured; more U.S. biofuels	Experienced with homeland security, supports Bush on war
Rhetorical device/props	Began several examples with "Somewhere in America, there is a (woman/mother/housekeeper) who is (experiencing hardship/walking picket line/unable to get health care for injured child)"	None	Fire metaphors. Said promises to help firefighters "disappear like a puff of smoke."	Self-deprecation. Joked that polls have him at 4 percent.	Repeated references to invisibility. Said many people have become invisible to President Bush	None	Opened with several jokes, including one about drunk Irishmen	None	Mentioned former employee who helped tsunami victims despite having terminal cancer	Held up fabric made in Iowa from wool and corn, to demonstrate U.S. ingenuity	Praised American character; noted that Americans "have thrown the British army off this continent"
Surprising element	Spoke less than 14 minutes	Repeatedly referred to "the Dodd Administration"	Brought autographed shirt for union's clothing drive for soldiers	Said he was "pro-gun, pro-owners rights, pro-second amendment."	Veiled reference to husband's infidelity." I have a little experience with staying the course and sticking with people who stick with me."	Didn't wear jacket	Focused heavily on Iraq, an issue that may not win votes	Had no specifics on any issue	Praised Ford Motor Co. for producing bombers during WW II	Wheeled out 3-foot stack of books - the IRS code.	Gave details how he watched 9/11 attack on TV
Schtick	Tried to convince the union members that he has special union appeal	Longtime union supporter tries to call in some IOUs	Firefighters and veterans are heroes who deserve better	Second-tier candidate tries light-hearted appeal	Emphasized long friendship with union leaders "Harold and Vinny."	Longtime union supporter tries to call in IOUs	The maverick Republican stands his ground	Wish-washy candidate gives wishy-washy speech	Tried to strike chord on patriotism and trade inequity	Invokes heartland values for union crowd	Emphasized his take-charge work as governor and chairmanship of homeland security panel