Candidates clash with Paul over Iraq war; offer barbed welcome to Thompson

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) The most heated exchanges in the latest Republican presidential debate were over the Iraq war.

Texas congressman Ron Paul opposes it and at a debate in Durham, New Hampshire, warned his fellow GOP candidates that they would drag the party to defeat in 2008 if they stick to their support for the war. Former ArKansas Governor Mike Huckabee responded directly to Paul, saying honor should be more important to Republicans than winning elections.

The debate was upstaged by the candidate who wasn't there.

Earlier, actor and former Senator Fred Thompson officially announced he was running during a taping of NBC's "Tonight Show." The eight other candidates offered a barbed welcome. Huckabee suggested Fred Thompson might become known as "the no-show for presidential debates." While Senator John McCain quipped "Maybe we're up past his bed time."


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