Democrats spar as debate heats up

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Rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination in the US have had one of their fiercest debates just seven weeks before the election contest starts.

Front-runner Hillary Clinton, roundly attacked by the other contenders in the last televised debate, accused her opponents of "slinging mud".

Her nearest rival, Barack Obama, accused her of not giving "straight answers to tough questions".

The first vote in the nominating process is on 3 January in Iowa.

Sen Clinton was criticised by observers for sounding evasive during the previous debate on 30 October when her rivals questioned her honesty and electability.

This latest debate, held at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, involved tough exchanges over a range of issues, including health care, foreign policy, trade and Social Security, but also saw more personal attacks.

"What the American people are looking for right now is straight answers to tough questions and that is not what we've seen out of Senator Clinton on a host of issues," Sen Obama said.

Mrs Clinton responded by attacking his perceived lack of experience.

"It is important that we have a candidate that is tested and a president who is ready to lead from day one," said Sen Clinton.

'Shrillness'

As with the previous debate, some of the most aggressive comments came from John Edwards who said Sen Clinton did not represent change but continued "to defend a system that does not work, that is broken, that is rigged, and is corrupt".

CURRENT KEY DATES 3 Jan: Iowa caucus 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: South Carolina primary (Rep)19 Jan: Nevada caucuses22 Jan: New Hampshire primary29 Jan: Florida primary; South Carolina primary (Dem)5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6297545.stm">Quick guide: US election</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6944686.stm">Primary and caucus dates</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7049207.stm">Q&A: Primaries</a>

Mrs Clinton warned that such attacks risked losing the presidency for the Democrats by playing into Republican hands.

"When somebody starts throwing mud, at least we can hope it's accurate and not right out of the Republican playbook," she said.

The testy opening left the other four contenders, Senators Joseph Biden and Chris Dodd, Rep Dennis Kucinich and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, struggling to break in.

Mr Richardson urged an end to "this mud-slinging" while Sen Dodd said the "shrillness" of the debate could damage the Democrats.

"When a campaign is about turning up the heat of who's angrier or who's yelling louder, the American people turn off," he said.

Nevada holds its caucuses on 19 January.

Like many other states, it has moved its nominating contests forward in the electoral calendar in a bid for greater influence over who Democrats and Republicans choose as their candidates in the November 2008 presidential election.