Iraq Rules Democratic Debate

By Paul Strand

CBN News

April 27, 2007

CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - The first face-off by all the major Democratic candidates for president is over, and it appears clear at this point, the war is going to be the major topic of the presidential campaign.

The debate, which took place in Orangeburg, South Carolina and was broadcast nationally by MSNBC, showed the candidates eager to oppose the Iraq war and assure Americans they'd bring the troops home.

"When I listen to mothers and fathers from all across the country, they are telling me it's time to come home," said Sen. Barack Obama.

The Brody File: Democrats Debate: The Aftermath

Sen. Hillary Clinton said, "This is not America's war to win or lose. We have given the Iraqi people the chance to have freedom

They also bemoaned the fact that America has such expensive health care, but no universal health care system - something they promise to change- but they know it will be difficult.

"I tried to achieve universal health care back in 1993 and '94, and I still have the scars from that experience," said Sen. Clinton.

And Sen. Richardson said, "Thirty-one percent of our health care goes to inefficiencies and bureaucracy."

The candidates also made it clear they didn't agree with the Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the national ban on partial birth abortions.

"Women have the right to make these profoundly difficult decisions, and I trust them to do it," said Obama.

They pointed out the future of legal abortion will be in the next president's hands.

"The kind of people who will be appointed to the United States Supreme Court by the next president will control whether a woman's freedom to choose, make her own health care decisions, will be made by her or made by the government," said former Sen. John Edwards.

Next week the Republicans meet for their first presidential debate, and as for the Democrats, they're just warming up-- starting in July they'll face off once a month.

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