US rivals clash in key TV debates

The debates reflected the intensity before the vote

US presidential hopefuls have clashed in TV debates, ahead of Tuesday's key primaries in New Hampshire.

Republican candidates traded blows on foreign policy, including the Iraq war. In the Democratic debate, Barack Obama denied changing his policy positions.

Six Republicans and four Democrats took part in the two debates hosted by ABC.

Latest polls suggest that after winning in Iowa, Sen Obama has drawn level with - or even taken the lead over - his main rival, Hillary Clinton.

Two polls published on Sunday put them neck and neck, with former senator John Edwards at least ten points behind.

I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this Bill Richardson, Democrat contender

Another, published on Saturday, gave Sen Obama a ten-point lead, and the BBC's Justin Webb reports from Washington that Sen Clinton is fighting for her political life.

In the debate itself, she began by launching a scathing attack on Sen Obama, accusing him of shifting position on key issues, including healthcare.

"He could have a pretty good debate with himself," said Sen Clinton, who is trying to become the first US woman president.

Mrs Clinton hopes to re-establish herself as frontrunner

Sen Obama - who is seeking to become the first black US president - denied the charge.

"I have been entirely consistent in my position.

"What I think is important that we don't do is try to distort each other's records as election day approaches here in New Hampshire," he said.

During the TV debate, Sen Obama received a helping hand from Mr Edwards, the runner-up in Iowa.

"I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them," Mr Edwards said.

He also described Sen Clinton as a defender of the status quo, apparently positioning himself as Sen Obama's ally in a call for change in the White House.

The heated exchanges prompted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson - another participant of the debate - to quip: "I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."

Republicans

Earlier, the Republican discussion featured Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, anti-war candidate Ron Paul, veteran senator John McCain, and actor and former senator Fred Thompson.

Mr Huckabee defended his comments that US President George W Bush had pursued an "arrogant" and "bunker-mentality" foreign policy.

And he attacked Mr Romney for not supporting Mr Bush's decision a year ago to increase US troops in Iraq.

Mitt Romney is up against John McCain in New Hampshire

"I supported the surge before you did," Mr Huckabee said.

Mr Romney shot back by stating that his accuser was wrong. "Don't try to mischaracterise my position," he said.

Sen McCain joined in by saying that he alone among the Republican contenders had criticised Mr Bush's initial strategy of the Iraq war.

However, he said that "we are succeeding now in Iraq" and that the president should be given credit for that.

Ahead of the debate, Mr Romney won the Republican caucus in Wyoming - a morale-boosting victory after he came a poor second in Iowa on Thursday to Mr Huckabee.

Polls are still giving Sen McCain a healthy lead over Mr Romney in New Hampshire.

Boosting chances

Iowa and New Hampshire may not necessarily produce a winner from either campaign, but could boost contenders' chances ahead of primaries in larger states.

The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September, although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.

The eventual winner will replace Mr Bush, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.