WASHINGTON – Democratic 2004 presidential contenders split sharply over Iraq yesterday as they courted party activists – and the loudest cheers went for an anti-war attack on President Bush.
“What I want to know is why the Democratic Party leadership is supporting the president’s unilateral war against Iraq,” demanded ex-Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who drew the loudest cheers on Day 1 of a Democratic National Committee “cattle show” that ends today.
There was less applause for two Democrats who back an Iraq attack, Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.) and Rep. Dick Gephardt (Mo.).
Polls show most Americans back an Iraq attack – including most of the swing independents who decide elections – but most Democrats oppose it, including 66 percent of the “core” Democrats who plan to vote in president-picking primaries.