Clinton discusses economy in Detroit

Hillary Clinton told union members and their families in Detroit yesterday that the country must spend more on manufacturing.

"If we don't have a strong manufacturing base in our economy, it won't be long until we don't have a strong economy," the Democratic presidential candidate said.

She also cited education, said she wanted to work toward universal health care, and would bring troops home from Iraq.

Clinton's presentation, attended by about 700 union members and their families, was part of an effort by the national AFL-CIO to have the rank and file meet Democratic presidential candidates in town hall style formats. Her Michigan appearance was the first in the state since she announced her candidacy.

Clinton said revitalizing the manufacturing sector is crucial, given fierce global competition and growing health care and retirement costs. "We borrow money every day from other countries like China," she said.

Fred Thompson's expected entry into the tight Republican presidential race is drawing approval from conservatives and older men, and that could vault him into the thick of the nomination fight, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released yesterday.

The survey shows that Clinton has twice the support from women as her nearest rival, Barack Obama, but dwindling strength among men. Her margin over the Illinois senator has eroded slightly since the last AP-Ipsos poll, in March.

The poll places Thompson in the top tier among GOP contenders; Rudy Giuliani , former mayor of New York City, at 27 percent; Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, at 19 percent; and former governor Mitt Romney at 10 percent.

Thompson, who has pursued an acting career before and after his eight years as Tennessee senator, has not formally entered the race. But he has impressed many voters. One in four of his supporters cites his strong character, more than any other GOP candidate.

"He can be kind of Reaganesque in his engaging with people," said Ronald Coppinger, 47, a carpenter from Indianapolis, describing a plainspoken style . "I think that's important." (AP)

The high hurdles faced by congressional Democrats in their efforts to end the Iraq war make electing a Democratic president in 2008 the best way to finish the conflict, party chairman Howard Dean said yesterday.

Dean noted that his party has made little progress toward ending the war, which he called the cause that returned them to power.

"The American people hired Democrats last November to ensure that we end this war," Dean said during the weekly Democratic radio address. "So let me be clear, we know that if we don't keep our promise, we may find ourselves the minority again."

Dean put the blame for the lack of progress on the White House and congressional Republicans for blocking his party's attempt at tying war funding to deadlines for troop withdrawals.

"We have to face the reality that Republicans in Congress are standing with President Bush as he stubbornly wields his veto pen," Dean said . In response, he proposed that the "one way to truly ensure we end this war" was to elect a Democrat as president in 2008. (AP)