Democratic hopefuls test waters in Oklahoma Candidates criticize war, economy in town hall forum

STILLWATER, Okla.--Democratic presidential hopefuls came Tuesdayto a state virtually ignored in past races, bringing with them theircriticism of the Bush administration.

Six of the nine candidates spoke at Oklahoma State University onhealth care, the economy and how they would have handled theaftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

"I say this is the time for the United States to admit it made amistake in attacking Iraq," said Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who saysBush has eroded relationships with the United Nations and the worldcommunity.

Former Illinois Sen. Carol Braun said Bush's approach has"frittered away all the goodwill we had" and said she wants U.S.troops out of Iraq. But "we have a moral obligation to at least putthat country back in shape," she said. "We can't just leave, havingblown them up."

Asked about gay marriages, she recalled an aunt in an interracialmarriage decades ago and brought applause when she said, "I don't seeany difference between interracial marriages and same-sex marriages."

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman drew a mix of boos and applausewhen he said he opposed same-sex marriages.

"I am the one Democrat who can take Bush on where he's supposed tobe strong--security and mainstream values," he said, and that madehim the best candidate to take on the "right-wing agenda" that hecalled Bush's weakness.

Candidates challenged Bush's handling of the economy, citingrecently announced job cuts at a Wrangler plant in Seminole.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean described Bush's tax cuts as perks forhis wealthy corporate friends.

"I wouldn't have cut taxes, period," Dean said. "Most people wouldgladly pay the same taxes they paid when Bill Clinton was presidentif only they could have the same economy ... when Bill Clinton waspresident."

Dean favored independent pension plans that travel with workerswho change jobs, saying corporations can no longer be trusted to runtheir own pensions.

Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt and North Carolina Sen. John Edwardsalso were scheduled to speak at the town hall-style event.

Oklahoma has not voted for a Democrat for president since LyndonJohnson in 1964. It has been ignored by primary presidentialcandidates in recent elections, prompting the Legislature to move the2004 election to Feb. 3, one week after the New Hampshire primary,the nation's first. AP