ABC NEWS: Gephardt, Kerry Spar With Dean in Debate
abcnews.go.com
DES MOINES, Iowa Nov. 24 — Rep. Dick Gephardt and Democratic rival Howard Dean intensified their war of words on Monday, squabbling over Iraq, Medicare and the front-runner's record as governor of Vermont. Although eight of the nine Democratic hopefuls participated in the latest in a series of Democratic debates, Gephardt and Dean engaged in the sharpest exchanges.
When Gephardt of Missouri accused Dean of trying to balance his state's budget by cutting vital services to the needy, Dean snapped back that Gephardt "is a good guy but his research folks need a little help."
And after Dean sharply attacked Gephardt for supporting the 2002 resolution authorizing President Bush to go to war in Iraq, Gephardt shot back: "Howard, I think you're all over the lot on this one."
Gephardt suggested that Dean had earlier voiced support for both the war resolution and the $87 billion aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan.
The two-hour debate, sponsored by cable channel MSNBC, was the seventh since Labor Day, but the first in Iowa, which holds its first-in-the nation caucuses Jan. 19.
Polls show that Dean is the front-runner nationally. In Iowa, Gephardt holds a slight lead over Dean in one survey. But the two are essentially tied in others. |
