"Edwards Insists on Discussing Iraq War" (UPDATED)

UPDATE: "Clinton-Obama spat 'sad,' Edwards tells ABC."

AP:

NASHUA, N.H. — Health care was the topic of the day Saturday, but Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards made sure New Hampshire voters gave him another chance to say he was wrong as a senator to authorize the use of force in Iraq.

Edwards' visit to New Hampshire was billed as a series of house meetings to promote his health care plan and his presidential bid. But less than five minutes after walking into the day's first house party, the 2004 vice presidential nominee turned to the subject that has consumed the Democratic contenders: Iraq.

"Honestly, if you don't bring up Iraq, I'll bring it up," the former North Carolina senator told about 150 people gathered in a state senator's living room and kitchen.

And when the first few questions dealt with other issues _ homelessness, catastrophic health insurance, the federal budget _ Edwards again suggested someone might want to ask him about Iraq. Edwards wanted to make sure everyone there knew he regretted his Senate vote that gave President Bush the authority to begin the war in Iraq _ an apology Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has refused to offer.

On his way to an appearance in Salem, Edwards told reporters he wanted to make certain his position was clear.

"I just wanted to make sure anyone who hadn't heard me say it, knows that that's my position. On that issue and everything else, I want to make it absolutely clear to voters in New Hampshire where I stand," he said.

Perhaps in a sign that Edwards has accomplished that goal, not one of the nine questions he faced later at a house party in Concord involved Iraq. Instead, voters pressed him on immigration, education, and whether the president has become too powerful.

"Would you be willing to say this is too much power for one person?" one woman asked Edwards.

"I would absolutely say that," said Edwards.

The war's unpopularity helped Democrats gain control of the New Hampshire Statehouse last fall and defeat its two Republican congressmen. Would-be presidents who've visited the state have faced detailed questions on the issue.

Edwards said the United States should cap its level of troops at 100,000 and bring home more than 40,000 troops immediately. His proposal closely resembles that of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group report, which recommends a complete departure from Iraq by this time next year.

"(Bush) was not given authority to police a civil war, which is what he is doing now," Edwards said.

He borrowed an analogy from his wife, Elizabeth _ sitting nearby on the floor, leaning against a couch _ and said the U.S. approach is like a parent scolding a child for not making his bed and then making the bed for him repeatedly.

"We're continuing to enable this bad behavior," Edwards said.

State Rep. Jeff Fontas, D-Nashua, said he wasn't that interested in supporting Edwards before Saturday.

"But he came and gave this brilliant speech," said Fontas, who was impressed with the appearance of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, weeks earlier. "He voted for the war. But his apology brought light to his ideas to fix it."

Edwards also brought his health care plan, which would require health insurance for everyone but also provide subsidies to help lower-income families afford it. He also touted proposals to cut energy subsidies to the energy industry, reduce global warming and address homelessness.

Edwards' work on anti-poverty causes since his last run brought Pat Harris to the event. She said she sees a bit of her political hero in Edwards.

"He's a Jimmy Carter-kind of guy," said Harris, who housed 20 John Kerry volunteers in 2004 but hasn't decided who will get her support in 2008. "I'm very impressed. I had questions. But the questions I had, he answered."

Among her questions about his campaign: Iraq.