US:Democratic presidential candidates have promised to end the Iraq war, close the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, restore civil liberties and balance the federal budget. In their final debate before the Iowa caucus in three weeks, the candidates avoided personal clashes and revealed few major policy differences.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are tied at the head of the field in Iowa, with John Edwards just a few points behind.
Mr Obama said he would not only end the Iraq war but transform what he called a foreign policy driven by fear since the attacks of September 11th, 2001. "I want to change the mindset that got us into war," he said. "Part of making us safe is restoring our respect in the world."
In a shift of emphasis, Mrs Clinton sought to present a more personal side, talking about her daughter, Chelsea, who has been campaigning with her in Iowa, and about her own battle to lose weight during the campaign. She also focused less on her experience of government than on her capacity to effect real change after the Bush era.
"I believe you get it by working hard for change. Stand up for me and I'll stand up for you in this campaign and in the White House," she said.
Mr Edwards said that change was impossible unless the next president confronted the corporate interests he claimed were obstructing progress towards a fairer healthcare system and a more equitable economic system.
"I have been fighting them my entire life and I have been winning my entire life," he said.
Mrs Clinton was challenged on her reputation for secretiveness, notably when she attempted to draft a healthcare reform plan during her husband's presidency. "I'm very committed to open, transparent government. I've learned a lot," she said.
When Delaware senator Joe Biden was challenged about recent apparent gaffes about race, including his description of Mr Obama as "clean and articulate", Mr Obama came to his defence, declaring that he had "no doubt" about his Senate colleague's commitment to civil rights.
The best line of the debate came when Mr Obama was asked how he could offer a new type of foreign policy given that so many of his advisers once worked for President Bill Clinton.
Mrs Clinton laughed out loud, and said: "I'm looking forward to hearing that."
Mr Obama waited for the laughter to die down before replying, "Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."
Mrs Clinton remains more than 30 points ahead of Mr Obama in national polls but has seen her lead in Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that vote first, evaporate in recent weeks. Mr Obama is also closing the gap in South Carolina, where he attracted more than 20,000 people to a rally with television star Oprah Winfrey last Sunday.
Before the debate Mrs Clinton apologised to Mr Obama for remarks by the co-chair of her New Hampshire campaign suggesting that Mr Obama's drug use as a teenager could become an issue for Republicans. Billy Shaheen said that the Illinois senator's candour could open the door to further questions.
"It'll be: 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?' There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome," he told the Washington Post.
Mr Shaheen later said he was sorry and insisted that his remarks had not been authorised by the Clinton campaign. As the two senators left Washington airport yesterday for the Iowa debate, Mrs Clinton told Mr Obama that negative, personal characterisations were not part of her campaign.
After Wednesday's Republican debate, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee apologised to Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, a Mormon, for suggesting in a New York Times interview that Mormons believed that Jesus and the Devil were brothers. "It was never my intention to denigrate his faith," Mr Huckabee said.
"I apologise because I know that was hurtful to him, and I did not want to do that."