Democrats Discuss Programs but Leave Time for Bickering

Gen. Wesley K. Clark emerged today as a target in the crowded field of Democratic presidential hopefuls, while Howard Dean continued to be criticized by his rivals over Medicare.

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Dr. Dean found himself on the defensive as well, as he was repeatedly asked to explain his support in the 1990's for cuts in the growth of Medicare spending. The questioning began on Sunday talk shows, spilled to dueling news conferences and e-mail and culminated in a confrontation in Iowa between supporters of Dr. Dean and Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, who has led the charge against Dr. Dean on Medicare.

As Dr. Dean was speaking to supporters at a center for the elderly in Dubuque, a pick-up truck full of supporters of Mr. Gephardt showed up outside. The Gephardt supporters handed out literature detailing how Dr. Dean's views eight years ago on Medicare coincided with the views of Newt Gingrich, then the Republican speaker of the House.

"If this is the best we can do in terms of debate in this party, then I think it's time for a change," said Dr. Dean, who was unveiling a proposal for new federal programs for home and community-based care for the elderly. "I am tired of being beaten up by all of these Washington politicians who are following me around, simply because they can't think of anything constructive to say in their own campaigns."

Dr. Dean has acknowledged describing Medicare as "one of the worst federal programs ever." He said that he supported reducing the growth of Medicare in the 1990's to ensure the program's solvency and that he no longer held that position.

But the issue has become a contentious one, and Dr. Dean repeatedly sidestepped questions today about why he was quoted speaking in support of Mr. Gingrich during the budget battle of 1995, when conservatives sought to extract $270 billion from Medicare. That proposal was fiercely opposed by President Bill Clinton and Democrats in Congress, including Mr. Gephardt, who was majority leader in the House.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/29/politics/campaigns/29DEMS.html

DTH

Dem candidates.

Hardly great, though.

DTH