Democrat rivals try to make their mark

Faced with the challenge of standing out in a crowded field, the eight Democratic presidential hopefuls seemed keen to focus on their differences - and were more than willing to clash over them.

Edwards went in hard on Iraq - a war he had voted for
With the latest polls putting New York Senator Hillary Clinton top of the field, closest rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards know they need to stake out a position of attack.
Last month's Senate vote on a contested Iraq war funding bill provided the ammunition for an early salvo.
Mr Edwards, former senator for North Carolina, accused Ms Clinton and Mr Obama -who voted against the bill but were among the last to do so - of not showing the kind of leadership expected of a president.
Mr Obama, senator for Illinois, shot back: "The fact is I opposed this war from the start. So you're about four-and-a-half years late on the issue."
Ms Clinton was quick to point the finger of blame elsewhere, reminding viewers it was "George Bush's war".
Striking a conciliatory note, she added: "The differences among us are minor. The differences between us and the Republicans are major. And I don't want anybody in America to be confused."
But Mr Edwards was not to be deterred, stressing again that "there are important differences between us on this. And the voters are entitled to know that."
High stakes
Ms Clinton, coming under pressure over her refusal to apologise for having approved the invasion of Iraq, stuck to the line that it was a "sincere vote" based on the information she had at the time.
Mr Edwards - who has repeatedly said he regrets his own 2002 vote in favour - used the opportunity to praise Mr Obama's long-term opposition to the war at Ms Clinton's and his own expense. "He was right. I was wrong," he said to applause.
Asked why he alone among the four Democratic senators in the race had voted to authorise the Iraq war funding bill last month, Delaware Senator Joseph Biden said he had had no choice when the safety of troops was at stake.
I knew the right political vote, but I tell you what: some things are worth losing elections over
Joseph BidenDelaware Senator
"And I knew the right political vote, but I tell you what: some things are worth losing elections over."
Speaking to reporters after the debate, Mr Biden pointed out that his son, Beau, was the captain of a National Guard unit that may be posted to Iraq next year. He would not endanger troops' safety just to send a political message, he insisted.
Both Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, also long-shot candidates, joined Mr Edwards in criticising the front-runners for doing too little to stop the war.
With no decisive indications yet emerging on who will be the Democrats' chosen nominee at the primaries, the game remains in play.
Mr Obama, who left some observers disappointed with a rather stilted performance at the first debate in South Carolina in April, was back on form and dominated the air time.
Meanwhile Mr Edwards seemed sharper on the attack than before, while Ms Clinton managed to maintain her poise under attack and address the wider battle to beat the Republicans in November 2008.
'Rock star' trio
The positioning by host CNN of the three main contenders next to each other heightened the impression of a three-way rivalry, with the second tier candidates often left out of shot on the fringes of the stage.
DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Chris Dodd
John Edwards
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson
Several complained afterwards that they had been given far fewer questions than the main contenders, adding to the challenge of matching the "rock star" status of the big three.
Apart from Iraq, questions focused on domestic issues including national security, immigration, taxes and healthcare, plus the question of how to tackle the threat of a nuclear attack from Iran.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said he was one of those disappointed by how few questions he had been asked in the first half of the debate.
But he did earn praise for his foreign policy experience from Ms Clinton, one of the few concessions in a fiercely fought contest.
The 10 official Republican contenders will take their turn in the New Hampshire spotlight on Tuesday.
And the Iraq war may well once again be the issue that won't go away.