Edwards looking forward to debate GOP rivals

[JohnLocke]

Edwards looking forward to debate GOP rivals, maybe
By Philip Elliott--Associated Press
Saturday, June 8, 2007
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DERRY, N.H.--Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Friday he looked forward to the retirement of the Pentagon's top general, but warned against hoping for a change in the president's conduct of the war.
"I think that Peter Pace going out is a good thing," Edwards told reporters traveling with him on a two-day trip to the early voting state. "I don't know enough about the new guy. ... I think change, generally, is a good thing."
On Friday, the Bush administration changed course and replaced Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The administration had planned to nominate Pace for a second two-year term as chairman, but instead, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended Adm. Mike Mullen, currently chief of naval operations, to take over when Pace's term expires Sept. 30.
Edwards cautioned against hoping for an overhaul of the president's approach to the war.
"He will not change unless he is forced to change. It is the job of the Congress, under these circumstances, to force him to end this war," Edwards said in Nashua.
The former U.S. senator said the president uses rhetoric to demonize his enemies and intimidate nay-sayers.
"George Bush's terminology is intended for political purposes. He uses it to justify everything," Edwards said. "And if you speak out about it, it's unpatriotic. ... He doesn't want to debate. He doesn't want dissent. But I've got bad news for him. This is America."
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