With the debate cut into two parts, one being the podium format with questions coming from Wolf Blitzer, and the other being town hall style with the candidates being seated, taking questions from NH voters. The majority of the questions from the audience were about the issue that seems to be at the forefront of this election, Iraq. A few of the candidates were given the opportunity to explain their plans and views on the war. Hillary, Obama, and Edwards all seemed to have a tight grasp on the air time and other candidates who had interesting views and ideas were not heard as much as the top tier candidates.
Joe Biden (who, prior to today, was at 1% in the polls) stood out amongst current members of Congress running for president in regards to the Iraq Funding Bill. Biden claimed while the troops are on the ground in Iraq he will never vote to cut their funding. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio disagreed, saying, "In order to end the war the funding must stop, we have enough in the pipeline to pack up close down the bases and bring our brave troops home." Former Senator and 2004 Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards, repeated a campaign theme of his by apologizing for his vote to authorize the war saying he was, "Wrong and lied to by President Bush." Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich both laughed in response to that statement, it seemed they both could not understand how someone could have been fooled by President Bush.
We are now one debate closer to the primary elections, and after tonight things are going to begin to heat up. There may be a clash of ideas as to how it should be done, but it’s obvious that all the candidates in the democratic field want to get out of Iraq and any candidate not named "Edwards, Hillary, and Obama" would like a little bit more air time!
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