The war in Iraq, the economy, health care and education policy highlighted a gathering of all nine 2004 Democratic presidential candidates Wednesday night.
Though the candidates were split on the war, all agreed attacking the ailing economy and the Bush tax cut plan was their best opportunity to take back the White House in 2004. The forum, held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, was sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund.
Children's Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman opened the event with strong words of disapproval for Bush's "No Child Left Behind" initiative. She bashed the program, saying Bush's tax cut plan does not leave enough federal money to fulfill his promises to the children of America.
Before handing the stage over to the debate's moderator, CNN's Judy Woodruff, Edelman urged the Democratic candidates to reverse Bush's tax cuts and give "new voices for new choices" to the children of America.
Woodruff was joined by a panel of three media representatives who grilled the candidates for more than two hours in a series of one- and two-minute lightning rounds. Each candidate was given one minute for an opening statement, which gave each the opportunity to differentiate his promises to America.
Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont, used his opening statement to criticize the "No Child Left Behind" plan and referred to it as the "No School Left Standing Bill." He also reiterated his anti-war stance, saying the country could not go to war "without losing our American values."
Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.) also reaffirmed his decision to vote against the war. He argued America needs more "clarity of action" in Iraq and that it is more important to eliminate tax cuts affecting the welfare of children.
Defending his stance, Graham made reference to analyst estimates that the war may cost taxpayers in excess of $200 billion.
"Going to war (ensures) our children will be paying the huge debt left as a result of the war," he said.
Though the candidates were split on the war, all agreed attacking the ailing economy and the Bush tax cut plan was their best opportunity to take back the White House in 2004. The forum, held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, was sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund.
Children's Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman opened the event with strong words of disapproval for Bush's "No Child Left Behind" initiative. She bashed the program, saying Bush's tax cut plan does not leave enough federal money to fulfill his promises to the children of America.
Before handing the stage over to the debate's moderator, CNN's Judy Woodruff, Edelman urged the Democratic candidates to reverse Bush's tax cuts and give "new voices for new choices" to the children of America.
Woodruff was joined by a panel of three media representatives who grilled the candidates for more than two hours in a series of one- and two-minute lightning rounds. Each candidate was given one minute for an opening statement, which gave each the opportunity to differentiate his promises to America.
Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont, used his opening statement to criticize the "No Child Left Behind" plan and referred to it as the "No School Left Standing Bill." He also reiterated his anti-war stance, saying the country could not go to war "without losing our American values."
Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.) also reaffirmed his decision to vote against the war. He argued America needs more "clarity of action" in Iraq and that it is more important to eliminate tax cuts affecting the welfare of children.
Defending his stance, Graham made reference to analyst estimates that the war may cost taxpayers in excess of $200 billion.
"Going to war (ensures) our children will be paying the huge debt left as a result of the war," he said.
