Gephardt, Dean spar at Democratic debate (Live now on MSNBC)

AP | 11/24/03 | MIKE GLOVER

[kattracks]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rep. Dick Gephardt and Democratic rival Howard Dean intensified their war of words on Monday, attacking each others' records in the latest in a series of Democratic debates.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts quickly joined the fray, joining Gephardt in assailing Dean's intentions concerning health care issues.

Gephardt accused the former Vermont governor of resorting to cuts in services for the poor and disabled to try to balance his state's budget.

"He cut funding for the blind and disabled," Gephardt said. He said that Dean cut services for the "most vulnerable" of Vermonters.

Dean, who polls show is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, snapped back that he believed "Gephardt is a good guy but his research folks need a little help."

He denied Gephardt's charge that he had cut the state's Medicaid program.

Kerry, who along with Sen. John Edwards participated via a television satellite link sponsored by cable channel MSNBC, also sought to engage Dean directly.

He asked him repeatedly whether, if elected, he would act to "slow the rate of growth of Medicare."

"I'd like to slow the pace of this debate," a visibly aggravated Dean responded. After repeatedly dodging the question, he declared, "We will not cut Medicare in order to balance the budget."

The sharp exchanges came after the debate began with rare agreement of the eight presidential hopefuls participating in the forum: opposition to the GOP-crafted $400 billion Medicare prescription drug bill moving through Congress.

Kerry and Edwards could not make the debate in person because the Senate was in series of votes on the Medicare bill.

Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut did not participate in a state that he has decided to bypass.

Gephardt said that, as governor, Dean "cut Medicaid. He cut the prescription drug program. He tried to eliminate it three times in the mid-90s..."

Asked by moderator Tom Brokaw whether he felt his criticism of Dean had gone too far, Gephardt responded: "I think campaigns are about bringing out differences."

"We have a difference on how to get budgets strengthened out," Gephardt said.

[deport]

ON live now ........ MSNBC .. for the next 50 minutes or so.... repeat again for 2hours later tonight

May won't to bump to breaking news for the next hour

[ChewedGum]

So now they are eating each other? Maybe it was Bush's ad which scared them off of attacking him! (Hope they don't pull that ad, like little Tommy Daschel requested!)

Gum

[schaketo]

Spar ... I doubt it. Sissy slap each other maybe but sparring would take men to accomplish. Not likely.

[ElCapitanAmerica]

[dead]

Oh yeah, Gephardt.

I kinda forgot he existed.

[Dog]

Thanks for watching it for us.....but I can't get into watching these losers tonight.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Don't they look presidential?

[ElCapitanAmerica]

[ElCapitanAmerica]

[ServesURight]

"No, I hate Bush more."

"No I do."

"I'm in favor of raising taxes."

"There you go again. I'm the tax-hiker and soak the rich candidate."

"My opponent loves America."

"No, I hate America. You're the idiot that loves America."

[Wait4Truth]

We need to nail Clark bigtime for his lie today. He said President Bush has visited families of soldiers in Britain but never in America. In fact, he visited families TODAY at Fort Carson and it is certainly not the first time.

[ElCapitanAmerica]

I'm the SUPREME COMMANDER you MOTHER*@#@$@#%, DONT YOU DARE QUESTION MA AUTHORITEEEEEE!!!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

How the hell did Clark graduate 1st in his class at West Point?

He is dumber than a door nail!

[Pubbie]

I've been a Miserable Failure... A Miserable Failure!

[ElCapitanAmerica]

[ServesURight]

LOL!

[ElCapitanAmerica]

Moesly Braun sounds the most moderate today. WOW!!!!

[deport]

I'm only watching bits and pieces.....

I did hear the Rev state that Bush Lied with the 'imminent' danger thing about Iraq.......

Wesley stumbling around when Brokaw penned him down about his first few days of his campaign where he was all over the place on Iraq.

[Brett66]