Kucinich Rips Edwards on Debate Remarks

Democratic presidential hopeful former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards speaks during a meeting with local residents, Friday, July 13, 2007, in Humboldt, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (Charlie Neibergall - AP)

For his part, Edwards told reporters in Iowa that he wasn't in favor of barring anyone from future gatherings. Rather, he said he wanted to see them separated into two groups of four each, chosen randomly.

"The result would be that we would have a much more serious discussion and people would actually be able to see what the differences are between us," he said.

Kucinich called Edwards' explanation "disturbing" and said he planned to contact Edwards and Clinton immediately to demand an apology.

"I accept their offer to participate in a debate with just the two of them," Kucinich said. "John should be happy with this, since he wants a small group."

Kucinich's bitterness toward Edwards was somewhat ironic, given the boost he gave Edwards in Iowa when they were both running for president in 2004.

Kucinich, who is very popular with a small but ardent group of liberal activists, asked his Iowa supporters to back Edwards if they didn't meet voting thresholds in any of the state's precincts. That effort increased Edwards' final delegate count in the state, putting Edwards within striking distance of winning the caucuses that year.

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Associated Press writers Amy Lorentzen in Humboldt, Iowa, Holly Ramer in Manchester, N.H., and Nedra Pickler in Washington contributed to this report.