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US rivals clash in key TV debates US rivals clash in key TV debates
(about 3 hours later)
US presidential hopefuls have heatedly clashed in TV debates three days ahead of key primary polls in New Hampshire. US presidential hopefuls have clashed in TV debates, ahead of Tuesday's key primaries in New Hampshire.
In the Republican debate, candidates traded accusations on the issue of President George W Bush's foreign policy, including the Iraq war. Republican candidates traded blows on foreign policy, including the Iraq war. In the Democratic debate, Barack Obama denied changing his policy positions.
Later in the Democratic debate, the surging Barack Obama fended off accusations from Hillary Clinton that he had changed his policy positions.
Six Republicans and four Democrats took part in the two debates hosted by ABC.Six Republicans and four Democrats took part in the two debates hosted by ABC.
'Arrogant' Latest polls suggest that after winning in Iowa, Sen Obama has drawn level with - or even taken the lead over - his main rival, Hillary Clinton.
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. Two polls published on Sunday put them neck and neck, with former senator John Edwards at least ten points behind.
I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this Bill Richardson,Democrat contenderI've been in hostage 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. Another, published on Saturday, gave Sen Obama a ten-point lead, and the BBC's Justin Webb reports from Washington that Sen Clinton is fighting for her political life.
He then attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq. In the debate itself, she began by launching a scathing attack on Sen Obama, accusing him of shifting position on key issues, including healthcare.
"I supported the surge before you did," Mr Huckabee said. "He could have a pretty good debate with himself," said Sen Clinton, who is trying to become the first US woman president.
Mr Romney shot back by stating that his accuser was wrong. "Don't try to mischaracterise my position," he said. Mrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunnerSen Obama - who is seeking to become the first black US president - denied the charge.
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.
Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming - a morale boosting victory after he came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee.
Polls suggest Mr Romney is closing the gap in New Hampshire on Sen McCain.
Clinton-Obama 'duel'
Two hours later, it was the Democrats' turn to be in the spotlight.
Mrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunner
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.
"He could have a pretty good debate with himself," said Sen Clinton, who is vying to become the first US woman president.
"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."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."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. During the TV debate, Sen Obama received a helping hand from Mr Edwards, the runner-up in Iowa.
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."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.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 hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."The heated exchanges prompted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson - another participant of the debate - to quip: "I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."
Open race Republicans
Latest polls suggest that Sen Clinton's lead in New Hampshire may be shrinking. Earlier, the Republican discussion featured Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, anti-war candidate Ron Paul, veteran senator John McCain, and actor and former senator Fred Thompson.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll on Saturday gave Sen Clinton 32% to Sen Obama's 28%. Mr Huckabee defended his comments that US President George W Bush had pursued an "arrogant" and "bunker-mentality" foreign policy.
And he attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq.
Mitt Romney is up against John McCain in New Hampshire
"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.
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.
Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming - a morale-boosting victory after he came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee.
Polls are still giving Sen McCain a healthy lead over Mr Romney in New Hampshire.
Boosting chances
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 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.