John Edwards, Christopher Dodd, Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich Clash on Various Issues

In the past day, presidential candidates John Edwards and Hillary Clinton clashed on the issue of health insurance and Edwards' plan to bring about universal healthcare. Meanwhile, representative and candidate Dennis Kucinich criticized Edwards' position on foreign trade, while Senator Chris Dodd condemned his lack of support for Hillary Clinton if she becomes nominated.

The Hillary Clinton For President web site published a short "Fact Hub" article on Tuesday afternoon, criticizing John Edwards' television ad calling for universal healthcare. It indicates that Edwards threatens to end healthcare benefits for Congress if a universal healthcare system is not instituted by them. The web site goes on to accuse Edwards of "unconstitutional gimmickry", saying that he wouldn't have the power to carry out such a threat.

According to a press release issued by the John Edwards For President campaign on Tuesday, his campaign's communications director made a statement in response to her attack. He claimed that Clinton had revealed that she supports free healthcare for politicians despite the millions of American people who cannot afford it. It also accused her of defending the "Washington establishment."

Meanwhile, the Kucinich For President campaign issued a press release on the same day criticizing Edwards for supporting expanded trade with China while we was in the Senate, then going to on call for greater safety regulations on Chinese products in recent days. He referred to recent recalls of dangerous Chinese made products, partially blaming lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Kucinich pointed out that Edwards' support for the trade agreement with China in 2000 cost Americans over 1,200,000 jobs in addition to jeopardizing their safety. He went on to question his judgement, mentioning Edwards' vote authorizing the invasion of Iraq and later regret for it. He referred to the hypocrisy of other candidates who support "free trade" while in Congress, then tell Union audiences about how many manufacturing jobs have been lost because of them.

Presidential candidate and Senator Chris Dodd also issued a statement criticizing Edwards on Tuesday. He referred to Edwards refusal to say that he would support Hillary Clinton if she becomes nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate for the general election. He expressed surprise at how "angry" John Edwards is, claiming that he no longer seemed like the Edwards he formerly knew. Dodd also asked a rhetorical question regarding which Republican candidate Edwards would prefer instead of Senator Clinton.

Sources:
1. Hillary Clinton For President, http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=4176
2. John Edwards For President,
http://johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20071113-health-care-ad-response/
3. Kucinich For President 2008,
http://www.dennis4president.com/go/newsroom/%91made-in-china%92-hazards-began-with-%91made-in-washington,-d.c.%92/
4. Chris Dodd For President,
http://chrisdodd.com/media/releases/dodd%3A-dems-need-come-together-support-democratic-nominee%2C-regardless-who-it-0