Dem front-runners play defense at Soldier Field

China an ally?
All the candidates were asked whether China is an adversary or ally. The U.S. has a $233 billion annual trade deficit with the economic giant.

Most said they would take a tougher stand. "I do not want to eat bad food from China," Clinton said, alluding to recent incidents of tainted food imports.

Edwards reminded the audience of the 2 million lead-tainted toys from China that were recalled last week.

Several of the candidates said their hearts and prayers were with the six trapped coal miners in Utah.

Both Clinton, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and Obama alluded to the debate locale -- Soldier Field where the Bears play football. Clinton said her father, a lifelong Bears fan, would marvel at the idea of one of his children standing on the 10-yard line.

Obama, a former Illinois lawmaker, defended his support for the renovation of Soldier Field and the use of money that could have been spent on infrastructure, citing the jobs created.

Gravel a no-show
Seven of the eight contenders shared a covered stage at Soldier Field in 90-degree heat. Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who did not complete the required AFL-CIO questionnaire, did not plan to attend.

The AFL-CIO's executive council will meet Wednesday to decide whether to begin the labor federation's endorsement process immediately or wait.

The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest federation of labor unions, didn't endorse a candidate in the 2004 primary. Its rules say two-thirds of the AFL-CIO's individual unions must agree on a candidate before an endorsement, and that didn't happen.

The last two AFL-CIO primary endorsements went to former Vice President Al Gore in 2000 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

If the executive council doesn't begin its endorsement process — the result most observers expect — individual unions will be free to endorse whoever they want.

The AFL-CIO — which has 55 member unions and represents 10 million workers — said in 2006 that it knocked on 8.25 million doors for union candidates, made 30 million telephone calls, distributed 14 million fliers and sent out 20 million pieces of mail.

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