Senator Dodd weighs in on Clinton, Edwards remarks, and blasts debate organizers

Jul 15, 7:25 AM EDT
Dodd Rips Clinton, Edwards for Remarks
By BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press Writer

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- 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."

(snip)

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.


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