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US rivals in heated clash on Iraq US rivals clash in key TV debates
(about 1 hour later)
US Republican presidential candidates have clashed over Iraq in the first of two TV debates being held three days before primary polls in New Hampshire. US presidential hopefuls have heatedly clashed in TV debates three days ahead of key primary polls in New Hampshire.
Mike Huckabee accused rival Mitt Romney of switching positions on President George W Bush's troop surge in Iraq - a charge swiftly denied by Mr Romney. In the Republican debate, candidates traded accusations on the issue of President George W Bush's foreign policy, including the Iraq war.
Six Republicans were taking part in the debate, followed by a confrontation among four Democrats. Later in the Democratic debate, the surging Barack Obama fended off accusations from Hillary Clinton that he had changed his policy positions.
Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming. Six Republicans and four Democrats took part in the two debates hosted by ABC.
The former Massachusetts governor came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor.
But polls suggest Mr Romney is closing the gap in New Hampshire on veteran Sen John McCain.
'Arrogant''Arrogant'
Those three plus former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, anti-war candidate Ron Paul and actor and former senator Fred Thompson were taking part in the debate organised by ABC. Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, anti-war candidate Ron Paul, veteran Sen John McCain and actor and former senator Fred Thompson took part in the Republican discussion.
I've been in hostile negotiations that are a lot more civil than this Bill Richardson,Democrat contender
Mr Huckabee began by defending his comments that the president had pursued an "arrogant" and "bunker-mentality" foreign policy.Mr Huckabee began by defending his comments that the president had pursued an "arrogant" and "bunker-mentality" foreign policy.
He then attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq.He then attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq.
"I supported the surge before you did," Mr Huckabee said."I supported the surge before you did," Mr Huckabee said.
Mr Romney shot back by stating that his accuser was wrong. "Don't try to mischaracterise my position," he said.Mr Romney shot back by stating that his accuser was wrong. "Don't try to mischaracterise my position," he said.
Sen McCain joined in by saying that he alone among the Republican contenders had criticised Mr Bush's initial strategy of the Iraq war.Sen McCain joined in by saying that he alone among the Republican contenders had criticised Mr Bush's initial strategy of the Iraq war.
However, he said that "we are succeeding now in Iraq" and that the president should be given credit for that.However, he said that "we are succeeding now in Iraq" and that the president should be given credit for that.
Sen McCain and others then voiced support for the administration's overall anti-terror policies. Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming - a moral boosting victory after he came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee.
Reduced field Polls suggest Mr Romney is closing the gap in New Hampshire on Sen McCain.
The Democrat debate features the first clash between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama since Mr Obama's Iowa victory. Clinton-Obama 'duel'
Two hours later, it was the Democrats' turn to be in the spotlight.
Mrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunnerMrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunner
Latest polls suggest that Mrs Clinton's lead in New Hampshire may be shrinking. Sen Clinton of New York began the discussion by launching a scathing attack on Illinois Sen Obama by accusing him of shifting position on key issues, including healthcare.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll on Saturday gave Mrs Clinton 32% to Senator Obama's 28%. "He could have a pretty good debate with himself," said Sen Clinton, who is vying to become the first US woman president.
Mr Obama - a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois who aims to become the first US black president - and Mr Huckabee emerged victorious in the Iowa caucuses in the first contest of the 2008 election. "You have changed positions within three years on a range of issues that you put forth when you ran for the Senate and have changed," she said.
Sen Obama - who is seeking to become the first black US president - swiftly denied the charge.
"I have been entirely consistent in my position.
"What I think is important that we don't do is try to distort each other's records as election day approaches here in New Hampshire," he said.
Sen Obama beat Sen Clinton in Iowa, pushing the former First Lady - who had been seen by many as a frontrunner - into third place.
After that defeat, she immediately signalled she would run a more aggressive campaign in New Hampshire.
During the TV debate, Sen Obama received a helping hand from former senator, John Edwards, the runner-up in Iowa.
"I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them," Mr Edwards said.
He also described Sen Clinton as a defender of the status quo, apparently positioning himself as Sen Obama's ally in a call for change in the White House.
The heated exchanges prompted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson - another participant of the debate - to quip: "I've been in hostile negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."
Open race
Latest polls suggest that Sen Clinton's lead in New Hampshire may be shrinking.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll on Saturday gave Sen Clinton 32% to Sen Obama's 28%.
Iowa and New Hampshire may not necessarily produce a winner from either campaign, but could boost contenders' chances ahead of primaries in larger states.Iowa and New Hampshire may not necessarily produce a winner from either campaign, but could boost contenders' chances ahead of primaries in larger states.
The field for the Democrat debate was reduced when Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd pulled out of the campaign after a poor showing in Iowa.
Two others, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, were excluded because they failed to finish in the top four in Iowa and have consistently polled below 5% in New Hampshire and national polls.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama are facing John Edwards, who came second in Iowa, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
Mr Obama has drawn crowds in New Hampshire with a message of change, but Mrs Clinton is hoping to make up for a disappointing third place in Iowa and re-establish herself as the leading Democrat.
The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September, although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September, although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.
The eventual winner will replace Mr Bush, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.The eventual winner will replace Mr Bush, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.