Many of the candidates' critiques focused on Clinton's foreign policy. Former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska, criticized Clinton for voting in favor of a resolution that would designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization, and commended Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd for voting against this resolution.
"It is essentially a fig leaf to let George Bush go to war with Iran," Gravel said. "And I am ashamed of you, Hillary, for voting for it."
Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina echoed Gravel's condemnation of Clinton's vote, comparing the resolution to that authorizing the use of force in Iraq.
"I voted for this war in Iraq, and I was wrong to vote for this war," Edwards said. "Senator Clinton also voted for this war. We learned a very different lesson from that. I have no intention of giving George Bush the authority to take the first step on a road to war with Iran."
Edwards also criticized Clinton's plan for withdrawal from Iraq. Both Edwards and Clinton said that they would begin to withdraw troops from Iraq upon taking office and both stopped short of promising to bring all American troops home from Iraq by the end of their first term. Edwards, however, tried to differentiate himself by emphasizing that he would bring home all combat troops., while Clinton said she would keep special forces in Iraq for counter-terror operations. Edwards labeled such a plan a continuation of the Iraq war.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Dodd, however, did promise to withdraw all troops from Iraq by their end of their first term, while Illinois Sen. Barack Obama refused to make such a promise.
In addition to attacking Clinton on her foreign policy, candidates also targeted her social security policy.
"You can't use the [health] system as a negotiating tool to get to a balanced budget," Biden said, criticizing Clinton's insistence that the government exercise fiscal responsibility before considering other solutions to the looming Social Security bankruptcy.
Biden further said that Clinton would have difficulty securing the 15 percent of Republican support he believed necessary for successful Medicare reform because of the legacy of the Clinton presidency.
"And I'm not suggesting it's Hillary's fault," he said. "I think it's a reality that it's more difficult, because there's a lot of very good things that come with all the great things that President Clinton did, but there's also a lot of the old stuff that comes back. It's kind of hard."
Biden, Obama and Dodd, unlike Clinton, all said that they would raise or remove the cap on the amount of an individual's income that can be taxed to pay for Social Security. Richardson said that he would not remove the cap, but would focus instead on stimulating economic growth as a way to increase revenue.
In addition to distancing themselves from Clinton, candidates also criticized Bush administration policies, with every candidate stating that he would not condone torture. Bush has previously argued that "aggressive interrogation" techniques are necessary to adequately wage the war on terror.
Many candidates reiterated themes that have been prominent throughout their campaigns: Obama emphasized his ability to unite the American people, Edwards returned to populist themes and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio highlighted his desire to end war as an instrument of policy.
Despite the largely serious tenor of the debate, the candidates found time to horse around on stage.
"I stuck the credit card companies with $90,000 worth of bills, and they deserved it," Gravel said in reference to an earlier bankruptcy he had declared. Edwards later embraced Kucinich after Kucinich made self-deprecating remarks highlighting his own short stature.
In one awkward moment, Biden clarified his reference to baggage that Clinton carries from her husband's presidency.
"When I say the old stuff, I am referring to policy," he said. "Policy!"
Tim Russert, NBC's Washington Bureau chief and host of "Meet the Press," moderated the debate, which was broadcast live on MSNBC. The debate was the first of the fall season and the third of six debates officially sponsored by the Democratic National Committee. Other sponsors included MSNBC, NECN, New Hampshire Public Radio and the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
