Clinton, Obama Camps' Feud Is Out in the Open

"My vote was a sincere vote based on the facts and assurances that I had at the time," Clinton said. "And I have taken responsibility for my votes and I believe that none of us should get a free pass. It is us up to the voters to judge what each of us has said and done."

Yesterday's forum was sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). In addition to Clinton and Richardson, participants included Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.), former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, former senator John Edwards (N.C.), Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.), Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio) and former senator Mike Gravel (Alaska).

The forum highlighted the West's emerging role as a significant player in the Democratic nomination process. Nevada is scheduled to hold its caucuses five days after the Iowa caucuses, the second contest on the 2008 Democratic calendar.

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee said the union hopes to endorse one of the Democrats before the primary elections. But he said the process will be slower, given the union's experience of having endorsed Howard Dean four years ago, only to see his campaign implode.

Iraq and health care dominated the forum. Vilsack offered the clearest call for Congress to stop funding the Iraq war and bring the troops home. But Biden warned that hasty withdrawal could leave the region in chaos. "People say just get out," he said. "Everybody wants to get out, no one faster than I want to get out. But if that civil war metastasizes into a regional war, we're going to be sending your grandchildren back."

Dodd was asked whether Clinton should apologize for her vote on the war. "Senator Clinton will speak for herself," he said, adding: "When you've made a mistake, there's nothing wrong with admitting that, in my view. . . . It was a mistake, in my view, to vote the way we did five years ago on that resolution."

Edwards, who also supported the authorization of the war, issued what sounded like a clear challenge to the New York senator to say she is sorry for her vote.

"We need a leader who will be open and honest with you and with the American people," he said. "Who will tell the truth when they've made a mistake, who will take responsibility when they've made a mistake."

Asked whether what Clinton had said about her vote was inadequate, he replied, "Whether it's good enough is between her and her conscience. It's not for me to judge."

Balz reported from Carson City.