Edwards rebukes Clinton in Democratic debate (Reuters)

Edwards rebukes Clinton in Democratic debate
Sat Jan 5, 2008 11:02pm
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (Reuters) - Democrat Hillary Clinton, attempting to slow Barack Obama's surging campaign, went on the attack on Saturday and drew a sharp rebuke from John Edwards for defending the status quo.

In a combative debate three days before a too-close-to-call New Hampshire primary, Clinton questioned Obama's health-care plan and cast doubt on his ability to deliver on his calls for change in Washington.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, upbraided the New York senator for criticizing Obama and noted her third-place finish in Iowa on Thursday, when Obama captured the first big prize of the presidential campaign and Edwards finished second.

"I didn't hear these kinds of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead," Edwards said. "Every time he speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo are going to attack -- every single time."

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http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0426725220080106

Edwards, Obama Challenge Sen Clinton In Dem Debate -AFP

January 05, 2008: 10:18 PM EST

MANCHESTER (AFP)--Hillary Clinton launched a searing attack Saturday against surging rival Sen. Barack Obama, suggesting he was inconsistent and had reversed policy on key issues.

"He could have a pretty good debate with himself," Clinton said, accusing Obama of several sharp changes on his healthcare reform plans, in a tense face- to-face debate aired by ABC News - a unit of Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - three days before the New Hampshire primary.

"You have changed positions within three years on a range of issues that you put forth when you ran for the Senate and have changed," Clinton said, as polls showed her once big lead in the northeastern state had dissolved.

"You said that records matter."

Obama, who stunned Clinton by winning the Iowa caucuses, the first 2008 nominating contest on Thursday, hit back at the former first lady and accused her of misrepresenting his policies.

"What I think is important that we don't do is try to distort each other's records as election day approaches here in New Hampshire.

"What I think the people of America are looking for are people who are going to be straight about the issues," Obama said.

Former senator John Edwards meanwhile launched a combative attack on Clinton, branding her as part of the "forces of status quo" who go on the offensive whenever the Washington consensus came under threat.

"I didn't see thise kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that's she's not, we hear them, anytime you speak out for change, this is what happens."

Clinton, who was clearly angered by Edwards' fierce attack, responded: "I'm running on 35 years of change ... the best way to know what the change I will produce is to look at the change I have already made."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200801052218DOWJONESDJONLINE000417_FORTUNE5.htm