Friday, October 10, 2003
Democrats mix it up
The Associated Press
Braun, Kerry, Sharpton, Gephardt, Edwards, from left, post-debate.
Hopefuls pile on Clark in spirited Phoenix debate
By C.J. Karamargin
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
PHOENIX - It was a night of beating up the new guy.
Democratic presidential candidates targeted Wesley Clark during a contentious campaign debate in Phoenix Thursday, accusing the retired general of repeatedly changing his views on the war in Iraq.
In the political equivalent of a freshman hazing, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Howard Dean sought to portray the former NATO commander as a waffling newcomer to the party.
"I've been very disappointed since Wes Clark came into this race about the various positions he has taken on the war against Saddam Hussein," said Lieberman, a senator from Connecticut who supports the war. "We need a candidate who will meet the test of reaching a conclusion and having the courage to stick with it."
Clark insisted he was against the war from the beginning but labored to defend himself throughout the 90-minute debate, held before an audience of about 1,000 at the Orpheum Theatre and televised live on CNN.
"I would never have voted for war," Clark declared.
Some polls - including a recent survey among Hispanics in Arizona - show Clark has become a leading contender in the contest to face President George Bush next year, despite entering the race only three weeks ago.
But one longtime political observer questioned whether his candidacy was helped by his performance.
"I don't think there was any clear winner," said Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Tucson. "But there was one clear loser and that was Wesley Clark."
Grijalva, a Dean backer who attended the debate, said the reason wasn't so much the bombardment of charges and accusations, but the high expectations that accompanied Clark.
"It's not that he failed, it's just that the bar is set so high he couldn't clear it," Grijalva said.
Iraq dominated much of the discussion. When they weren't sparring with one another, the candidates directed fresh criticism toward Bush's postwar policy, faulting him for failing to win significant help from other countries.
"You remember on your report card you had your English grade, your history grade and then it said, plays well together? He flunked that part," said Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri.
Rebekah Friend, president of the Arizona AFL/CIO, said the focus on Iraq was understandable considering the daily dangers faced by thousands of American troops.
But, she said, "one time I'd like to hear a debate centered on the economy."
Moderated by CNN anchor Judy Woodruff, the debate was the third official debate since Labor Day. It was a "huge" event for Arizona Democrats, said George Cunningham, a former state senator from Tucson who serves as Gov. Janet Napolitano's deputy chief of staff for finance and budget.
Because of its Feb. 3 primary, Arizona is expected to play a major role in selecting a Democratic nominee. The primary here coincides with contests in six other states and follows Iowa's Jan. 19 caucuses and New Hampshire's Jan. 27 primary.
"This debate spotlights Arizona as one of the critical first states in next year's election," said Cunningham.
According to Carolyn Disbrow, a senior publicist for CNN, press credentials were issued to 275 media representatives.
In the middle of the freewheeling face-off, the Rev. Al Sharpton reminded his fellow contenders to remember the goal for Democrats.
"Let us not forget that our differences should be toward the aim of winning against Bush," said Sharpton, who drew laughter as he injected Arnold Schwarzenegger into the discussion.
"We are 48 hours away from watching an actor that couldn't win an Oscar winning to be the governor of California. We need to deal with how we beat George Bush in 2004," he said.
Former ambassador Carol Moseley Braun also prompted laughter when she called herself "the clearest alternative" to Bush.
"You guys have - the men have ruined it," she said. "It's time to give a woman a hand, a chance to help provide for the harmony and the security of the whole community, get our economic house in order, to bring the American family together and to stop the pandering to fear that has turned this country into a hostage of the right wing."
Also participating in the debate was Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
Reaction among Tucsonans was mixed.
Maria Elena Sotomayor, 50, an Independent, said none of the candidates talked about the reality of immigration - that so many industries in America rely on undocumented workers. "They didn't want to offend anybody," Sotomayor said.
Sam Ritchie, 26, Green Party, and Daniel Turner, 23, Democrat, doubted any of the Democratic candidates would appeal to young voters.
"These candidates appeal to the older generation," Turner said, noting people want details on plans to resolve domestic problems. "It's what the people understand. Get to the facts. They want the truth, and they want it now."
Ritchie said he couldn't take seriously Gephardt's promises to revive the economy as he took credit for economic gains during the Clinton years.
"It seemed like that was his shtick, just like Edwards' shtick was 'I was a poor country boy.' I didn't hear anything that even approached what they would do."
Larry A. Sakin, 43, Democrat, said he would like to see more attention on the economy and domestic issues.
"We have real issues that need to be discussed that are being ignored," Sakin said.
* Star reporter Mary Vandeveire and wire services contributed to this story.
* Contact reporter C.J. Karamargin at 573-4243 or cjkarama@azstarnet.com.
