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NASHUA (New Hampshire) - MR Barack Obama's bid to be America's first black president is under fire from Democrats and Republicans alike before political debates on Saturday to help voters pick who to vote for in New Hampshire's primary.
A day after his unexpected victory as Iowa's choice for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr Obama's message of hope and change was derided by both Mrs Hillary Clinton and Mr Mitt Romney - the leaders of the Democratic and Republican fields here.
'Did you listen to Barack Obama?' Mr Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts seeking to become America's first Mormon president, said at a late on Friday rally.
'He is a new face, but gosh when you listen to what comes out of his mouth. It's like, 'We're going to just get our troops out of Iraq,' Mr Romney said. 'Have you thought about the consequences?' Mr Romney, who unexpectedly lost in Iowa to Baptist preacher and former Arkansas Gov Mike Huckabee, was referring to Mr Obama's promise to get US troops out of Iraq.
And Mrs Clinton said, 'I know that the next president will embody the hopes and dreams of all of us, but I also know that they cannot be false hopes.
Tuesday's New Hampshire primaries will help decide who runs in November's election to succeed US President George W. Bush.
'We have to pick a president who is ready on Day One to do the job, the tough and difficult job,' said Mrs Clinton, seeking to become America's first female president.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama spoke to the same Democratic rally on Friday evening. But on Saturday they will face off against each other in a controversial televised debate which promises an in-depth look at candidates.
The prime-time back-to-back debates on ABC - first for Republicans and then Democrats - will have a reduced field.
Tight field
Republican Duncan Hunter and Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were excluded by organisers and Democrats Joe Biden and Chris Dodd quit after poor returns in Iowa.
ABC only allowed candidates into the debate if they finished in the top four in Iowa or secured 5 per cent in New Hampshire or national polls.
Mr Kucinich's campaign filed an emergency complaint with the US Federal Communications Commission late on Friday saying the network was, 'violating its obligation to operate in the public interest' by excluding candidates.
The first debate on Saturday is between Mr Romney; US Sen John McCain, who won the 2000 New Hampshire primary; Mr Rudy Giuliani, mayor of New York City during the 9/11 attacks; Mr Huckabee; anti-war candidate US Rep Ron Paul of Texas; and former US Sen Fred Thompson, also known as an actor on TV's 'Law and Order.' The Democratic field is smaller - Mrs Clinton; Mr Obama; former US Sen John Edwards, who edged Clinton into second place in Iowa; and New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson, who served in Bill Clinton's cabinet.
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