Democrats Focus Criticism On N.Y. Senator

PHILADELPHIA — Senator Clinton's chief Democratic rivals, concerned about her growing lead in the polls, criticized her candor, consistency, and judgment yesterday in a televised debate more pointed than earlier presidential forums.

Senator Obama of Illinois said Mrs. Clinton has changed her positions on the North American Free Trade Agreement, torture policies, and the Iraq war. Leadership, he said, does not mean "changing positions whenever it's politically convenient."

A former senator, John Edwards of North Carolina, was even sharper at times, saying Mrs. Clinton "defends a broken system that's corrupt in Washington, D.C." He stood by his earlier claim that she has engaged in "doubletalk."

Mrs. Clinton largely shrugged off the remarks and defended her positions.