08.04.2004
Senate Democratic Candidates Contrast on Iraq
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH — Three Florida Democrats vying for U.S. Senate differed Tuesday on the war in Iraq, with Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas calling for the withdrawal of troops by the end of next year.
In a debate televised statewide, Penelas said he would support the returning of troops by the end of 2005, calling it the one "clear distinction" between him and former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor and U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch.
"America is not safer off today. We've compromised the war against terror," Penelas said.
Castor and Deutsch both called for multilateral troops to help rebuild Iraq, but criticized President Bush's handling of the nation's entry into the Middle Eastern country. Neither offered a specific timetable for the withdrawal of American troops.
"It was a failure of our intelligence agencies," Castor said. "However, we are there and we have got to keep the faith."
Deutsch criticized Bush for failing to bring more allies into Iraq.
"Unfortunately the president said 'no,'" Deutsch said.
Castor, Deutsch and Penelas were participating in the hourlong debate, expected to be the candidates' largest viewing audience of the campaign.
Castor has held a double-digit lead in recent polls, but Deutsch has ramped up his advertising and questioned the former University of South Florida's connection to EMILY's List, a fund-raising network which works to elect Democratic, pro-abortion rights women to public office.
A Deutsch supporter filed a complaint Monday with the Federal Election Commission claiming the political organization and Castor were coordinating campaign strategy. Both Castor's campaign and EMILY's List denied the allegations.
Deutsch's campaign released still photos before the debate showing similarities between a recent Castor campaign commercial and one airing this week by a subsidiary of EMILY's List touting Castor's work on health care. It showed Castor wearing the same clothing and appearing with the same group of veterans.
Deutsch spokesman Roy Teicher called it "obviously a coordination" of message and production. Castor spokesman Matt Burgess said the organization bought the footage from their photographer, calling it "standard procedure." He called it another example of Deutsch "attacking Democratic women."
Penelas has trailed Castor and Deutsch in most polls but held out hope for a late challenge before the Aug. 31 primary to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham.
The debate was being broadcast live on NBC stations in Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville and Tallahassee and being shown on tape-delay in Panama City and Pensacola.
The debate was moderated by Chandra Bill, anchor of WPTV in West Palm Beach. She was joined by Michael Williams of WTVJ in Miami and Craig Wolf of WBBH in Fort Myers.
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