At Debate, Democrats Clash Over Mideast -NYT [View All]

BALTIMORE, Sept. 9 — The Democratic presidential candidates battled tonight over United States foreign policy in Iraq, with candidates who opposed the invasion ridiculing rivals who voted for the war but who have become critics of it as the Democratic presidential campaign took off.

In a debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, two of the Democrats, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Dr. Howard Dean, a former governor of Vermont, also clashed heatedly over a statement Dr. Dean made last week that "it's not our place to take sides" in the Middle East.

"Howard Dean's statements break a 50-year record in which presidents — Republicans and Democrats, members of Congress — have supported our relationship with Israel," Mr. Lieberman said. He added, "We do not gain strength as negotiators if we compromise our support of Israel."

Dr. Dean responded, "I'm disappointed in Joe — my position is exactly the same as President Clinton's."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/10/politics/campaigns/10DEBA.html?ex=1063857600&en=4dbe847e608e688c&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE