The Democratic presidential candidates met last night for a debate in New Hampshire. Former Senator John Edwards accused Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama of failing to offer strong leadership to end the war.

John Edwards: “I said throughout the lead-up to this vote that I was against a funding bill that did not have a timetable for withdrawal, that it was critical for the Congress to stand firm. They were given a mandate by the American people. And others on this stage — Chris Dodd spoke out very loudly and clearly, but I want to finish this — but others did not, others were quiet. They went quietly to the floor of the Senate, cast the right vote, but there is a difference between leadership and legislating.”

Both Obama and Clinton rejected the criticism from Edwards.

Sen. Barack Obama: “I think it is important to lead, and I think, John, the fact is I opposed the Iraq War from the start. So you were about four-and-a-half years late on leadership on this issue.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton: “I think it’s important particularly to point out this is George Bush’s war. He is responsible for this war. He started the war, he mismanaged the war, he escalated the war, and he refuses to end the war.”

Former Senator Mike Gravel said the Democrats are complicit in the Iraq War, as well. Congressman Dennis Kucinich said Congress has the power to end the war now by simply cutting off the funding. After the debate, Senator Chris Dodd criticized CNN for giving far more time to Senators Obama and Clinton. Obama spoke for 16 minutes. Dodd, Kucinich, Gravel and Senator Joe Biden were each given less than nine minutes.