Edwards, Clinton chided for exchange

AP on Yahoo ^ | 7/14/07 | Brock Vergakis - AP

[NormsRevenge]

SALT LAKE CITY - Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd on Saturday criticized rivals John Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton, who were overheard discussing among themselves their hope of limiting the number of Democrats in presidential debates.

The private exchange was picked up by several broadcasters on an open microphone after an NAACP forum in Detroit on Thursday. All the Democratic contenders took part in the program, including Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich.

"I'd remind them that the mike is always on," Dodd told reporters on Saturday after addressing a state convention of Utah Democrats.

"Celebrity and money are not going to decide this race," he said. "People take some offense at it in these early primary and caucus states."

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, and New York Senator Clinton had agreed that the debates would be more meaningful if there were only a handful of candidates.

"We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," Edwards said, and Clinton agreed.

"Our guys should talk," Clinton said, complaining the format had "trivialized" the discussion.

Dodd is the third Democratic presidential candidate to visit Utah following Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who arrived Friday night for a state party fundraiser.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, is expected to attend a fundraiser in Park City in August.

Utah is dominated by Republicans, but some wealthy Democratic donors can be found here and its central location in the West makes it important to presidential candidates seeking the Democratic nomination.

Dodd blasted debate organizers for giving Democratic candidates little opportunity to offer voters more than "bumper sticker answers" on important issues.

"My problem is you're insulting me and the American public when you give 30 seconds to talk about Darfur and Iraq," he said. Sudan's vast western Darfur region has been torn by ethnic conflict for four years, with more than 200,000 people killed and millions displaced.

In Utah on Friday, Richardson said voters should decide the election based on debates in which all the candidates can discuss issues unfiltered by big-money politics.

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic Presidential hopefuls, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY., left, and John Edwards, talks during a forum at the NAACP convention in Detroit, Thursday, July 12, 2007. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio responded angrily Friday to a conversation overheard between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Edwards, in which the two spoke of limiting the number of candidates invited to participate in presidential forums. The Edwards-Clinton exchange was picked up by several broadcasters on an open microphone after the NAACP forum in Detroit on Thursday. All eight Democratic candidates took part in the program, including Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Mike Gravel and Kucinich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

[MIchaelTArchangel]

I hear that the Democrats are going to perform another play shortly. It will be a remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The cast will be:

Snow White: John Edwards
Prince Charming: Barrack Obama
Evil Queen: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Dopey: Joe Biden
Sleepy: Mike Gravel
Happy: Bill Richardson
Bashful: Dennis Kucinich
Grumpy: Chris Dodd
Doc: Brian Williams
Sneezy: David Stanton

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic U.S. presidential candidates (L-R) Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards and Barack Obama talk to each other after a candidates' forum at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) annual convention in Detroit, Michigan July 12, 2007. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)

[NormsRevenge]

I'm lovin' this.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,center, listens as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. right, talks during a Democratic presidential hopeful forum speaking before delegates at the annual NAACP convention in Detroit, Thursday, July 12, 2007. John Edwards is shown at left. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

[Old Sarge]

Dodd blasted debate organizers for giving Democratic candidates little opportunity to offer voters more than "bumper sticker answers" on important issues.

Hey, they're "bumper-sticker issues", so what's the problem?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

I heard that the Democrats are going to perform a play rather than hold a “debate”. The play will be a remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The cast will be:

Snow White: John Edwards
Prince Charming: Barrack Obama
Evil Queen: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Dopey: Joe Biden
Sleepy: Mike Gravel
Happy: Bill Richardson
Bashful: Dennis Kucinich
Grumpy: Chris Dodd
Doc: Brian Williams
Sneezy: David Stanton

[NormsRevenge]

Obama just asked Chris if he wanted to go grab a sandwich after the forum.

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

---

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

[Tzimisce]

The Fairness Doctrine comes all too soon to the Democrats.

[Old Sarge]

Yeah, and I can hear Obama saying, “You can be the white bread...”

[BerniesFriend]

sigh..what is wrong with everyone on this board..this clearly has Karl Rove’s fingerprints all over this..get with the program..

[pray4liberty]

Seems like Chris Dodd is getting as sick of the silky pony and his handler as we are.

[mad puppy]

“We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group,” Edwards said, and Clinton agreed.

---

Of course they are right.

OMG, what have I done? I have to go take a shower and scrub off a layer of skin.

[az wildkitten]

I guess Steve Wynn is a DEM.

[Natchez Hawk]

Sorry Chrissy, get behind Denis in the complaint line—and to bad unlike him, no third party/independent bid lies in your future.

[vpintheak]

Celebrity and money aren’t going to win this race? Who does this guys think he is fooling? Celebrity and money rule all federal elections.

[COBOL2Java]

Hillary: "Look into my eyes, John!"
Edwards, whimpering: "No, I don't wanna! Leave my soul alone! Bill told me what happens when your pupils start glowing!"

[chiefqc]

Boy the smile on girlymans, edwards, face looks reaqlly,really strained and oh so fake.

Would you buy anything from a person who smiled at you like that????

[chiefqc]

Boy the smile on girlymans, edwards, face looks really,really strained and oh so fake.

Would you buy anything from a person who smiled at you like that????

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Hillary! to the Breck Girl: "Where did you get that nice spray-on tan? I need to get one just like it!"