Democrats debate infrastructure needs By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Labor Writer

Democrats debate infrastructure needs By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Labor Writer
4 minutes ago



CHICAGO - Democratic presidential candidates said Tuesday the nation should invest more money in infrastructure and less in the Iraq war, citing the Minneapolis bridge collapse as a symptom of neglect.

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The candidates cast the matter as one of creating jobs as they addressed thousands of labor union activists, a constituency that could prove pivotal in deciding which contender emerges as the party's nominee.

The 90-minute debate, held outdoors at Soldier Field, was sponsored by the AFL-CIO.

"Putting our country back to work begins by cutting the funding for the war in Iraq," said Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd. He said $1 billion in domestic infrastructure spending would create 40,000 jobs.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "We have to make investments in infrastructure," adding that it would create jobs and improve security at ports, tunnels and other potential terrorist targets.

Several of the candidates said their hearts and prayers were with the six trapped coal miners in Utah.

Both Clinton, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama alluded to the debate locale — Soldier Field where the Bears play football. Clinton said her father, a lifelong Bears fan, would marvel at the idea of one of his children standing on the 10-yard line.

Obama defended his support for the renovation of Soldier Field and the use of money that could have been spent on infrastructure. "It put a whole bunch of Illinois folks to work," Obama said of the stadium project.

Seven of the eight contenders shared a covered stage at Soldier Field in 90-degree heat. Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who did not complete the required AFL-CIO questionnaire, did not plan to attend.