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Politics

Clinton targets Obama in sharp Democratic debate

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democratic presidential front-runner no longer, accused campaign rival Barack Obama of changing his positions on health care and "a number of issues" Saturday night in a debate three days before the New Hampshire primary.

"I have been entirely consistent in my position," countered Obama, adding that he and Clinton have a "philosophical disagreement" over her proposal to require Americans to purchase health insurance or face a penalty from the government.

Obama won the kickoff Iowa caucuses Thursday, and his remaining rivals - Clinton, former Sen. John Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson - can ill afford for him to gain a victory in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary as well.

"You said you would vote against the Patriot Act. You came to the Senate, you voted for it. You said you would vote against the Iraq war, you came to the Senate and voted for" funding, she said.

Obama's candidacy has soared on his pledge to bring change to Washington, and Clinton sought to blunt his advantage. "I think we're all advocating change," she said.

Edwards, the second-place finisher in Iowa, worked throughout the debate to align himself with Obama as an advocate for change in Washington and described Clinton as a defender of the status quo.

"Every time he speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo are going to attack," Edwards said.

"I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Sen. Clinton when she was ahead," he said. "Now that she's not, we hear them."

There was some humor. "I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this," Richardson, a one-time diplomat, said at one point.

Asked what she could say to voters who don't find her likable enough, and seem to like Obama more, Clinton drew laughter. "Well, that hurts my feelings. ... But I'll try to go on."

She said she agreed that Obama was likable, then added, "I don't think I'm that bad."

That drew a wry response from Obama, who said, "You're likable enough, Hillary."

At the start of the debate, Obama said the United States has the right to go after terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan without first obtaining permission from the government in power, a position with which Edwards, Richardson and Clinton largely agreed.

Fast facts

Shared stage

The two debates were part of a rare debate doubleheader, Republicans first, Democrats second, in the same hall at St. Anselm's College in Manchester. Intermission brought White House hopefuls from both parties onto the stage at the same time, an unusual occurrence that left Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona chatting with Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

[Last modified January 6, 2008, 01:09:31]