Sweet Dem AFL-CIO forum special. Edwards punchs at Clinton. Report 3.

CHICAGOWhite House hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Ct.), who has been shortchanged in time in previous debates, got the leadoff question in this AFL-CIO debate, about the bridge collapse in Minnesota. Ive stood with labor, he said.

Dodds answer about infrastructure included a call to cut funding for the war in Iraqan implicit swipe at Senate colleagues Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) who voted for a supplemental Iraq war funding bill.

Throwing the first of several punchs, (much more later on this) former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) aimed at Clinton, charging We dont need to change one group of insiders for another group of insiders. The Clinton team expected Edwards to throw darts at her. Echoing a call from Saturdays YearlyKos presidential forum, also in Chicago, Edwards, putting Clinton again in his sights said it was time to say no to Washington lobbyist insider money. (see Report 2 post below)

The forum is in Soldier Field, with a stage at the north end. No rain. Muggy and hot. Mayor Daley greeted the crowd.

Chicago Bears mention: Clinton, born in Chicago, raised in Park Ridge said her late father was a Bears fanatic fan and he would be proud to see her standing on the Bears 10 yard line.