GOP candidates squabble over support for Iraq war

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Republican presidential contenders voiced support for the Iraq war Wednesday night despite a warning from anti-war candidate Ron Paul that they risk dragging the party to defeat in 2008.

“Even if we lose elections, we should not lose our honor,” shot back former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, “and that is more important to the Republican Party.”

Huckabee was in the majority, Paul very much in the minority on the debate stage when it came to the war, a politically unpopular conflict that has emerged as the dominant issue of the 2008 race for the presidency.

The issue flared near the end of a 90-minute encounter in which all eight men on stage welcomed former Sen. Fred Thompson to the race with barbed humor and pointed advice.

“This is a nomination you have to earn,” said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “Nobody’s going to give it to you. Nobody’s going to grant it to you.”

The debate unfolded several days before Gen. David Petraeus is scheduled to deliver an assessment of President Bush’s decision to commit 30,000 additional combat troops to the war effort.

Sen. John McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Giuliani were among those who stressed their support for the war, at times even competing to show their commitment.

“The surge is apparently working,” said Romney, referring to the increase in troops. That brought an instant rebuke from McCain, who said, “The surge is working, sir, no, not apparently. It’s working.”

Other issues

The debate ranged over familiar issues, and each of the men on stage looked for moments to appeal to their target constituents.

Huckabee, eager to win the support of social conservatives, said he supports a “human life amendment” to outlaw abortion. Giuliani supports abortion rights and Romney favors allowing states to decide on their own whether to permit or ban them.

Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California wantSen. Larry Craig, the Idaho Republican who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in an airport men’s room in an undercover police operation.