Democratic Debate: Tag Clouds and Talking Points

Eight hopefuls took the stage in the first bona fide event of the campaign season, aiming most of their sharpest barbs at President Bush in general and the war in Iraq in particular.

During the 90-minute event at South Carolina State University -- billed as the "earliest presidential debate ever" by its sponsor, MSNBC -- the top-tier candidates largely kept their rhetorical elbows in check, even finding common ground on core Democratic issues such as health care and the environment. (Watch the White House hopefuls land low-impact jabs )

"This war is a disaster. We must end this war," said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador who called for getting all U.S. troops out by the end of 2007. (Watch Richardson talk about what he wanted to accomplish in debate)

"The president seems determined not to change course, despite the fact that we are not gaining ground," said Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

However, Clinton was taken to task by Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio after she said that if "I knew then what I now know," she would not have voted for the 2003 congressional resolution authorizing Bush to take military action in Iraq.

"That information was available to everyone, and, if you made the wrong choice, we're auditioning here for president of the United States," said Kucinich, who voted against the resolution. "People have to see who had the judgment and the wisdom not to go to war in the first place."

Kucinich also chided senators on the stage who have criticized the war but voted Thursday for an appropriations bill that funds military operations. The bill calls for a withdrawal of combat troops by April 2008.

"I think it's inconsistent to tell the American people that you oppose the war and, yet, you continue to fund the war," he said.

Clinton and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware were both asked whether they agreed with assessments by some that the war in Iraq has been lost. Neither of them answered directly.