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Clinton Aims for Obama in Feisty NH Debate

Candidates look for an edge ahead of Tuesday's primary

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 5, 2008 8:42 PM CST
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(Newser) – 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."

Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. pass during a break in a televised between the Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm College Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. pass during a break in a televised between the Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. , Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. take their seats before the televised Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm College Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. , Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. take their seats before the televised Democratic...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Republican presidential hopeful ,former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. and...
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Republican presidential hopeful ,former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigns in Penacook, N.H., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigns in Penacook, N.H., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally, Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a rally, Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)   (Associated Press)
In this photograph taken with a video camera, Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards D-N.C., speaks at a campaign stop in Portsmouth, N.H. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In this photograph taken with a video camera, Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards D-N.C., speaks at a campaign stop in Portsmouth, N.H. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, addresses fellow democrats at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's 49th annual 100 Club dinner in Milford, N.H., Friday night, Jan. 4, 2008. New Hampshire's first in the nation presidential primary is Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Democratic presidential hopeful, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, addresses fellow democrats at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's 49th annual 100 Club dinner in Milford, N.H., Friday night, Jan. 4,...   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • Bill Richardson • Democratic debate • debates • New Hampshire primary

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