Clinton Aims for Obama in Feisty NH Debate

Hillary Clinton lit into Barack Obama during a sometimes testy Democratic debate in New Hampshire tonight, seeking to put a few chinks in his armor three days before the state's crucial primary. Clinton criticized Obama's health plan as inadequate and accused him of flip-flopping on key issues, including Iraqi war funding, as a senator. Obama accused Clinton of distorting his views and said he's been "entirely consistent."

"He could have a pretty good debate with himself," Clinton said. Given a chance to break in, John Edwards defended Obama. "The forces of status quo are going to attack," he said, charging that Clinton never made such pointed comments when she was ahead in the polls. Bill Richardson, the fourth debater, noted, "I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this." (More New Hampshire primary stories.)