FACTBOX: Democratic presidential candidates debate

(Reuters) - Democratic presidential contenders gathered in Las Vegas on Thursday for a spirited debate that included some harsh exchanges. Here are some of their comments on the tone of the November 2008 campaign.

*DELAWARE SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN

"Every political campaign gets to this place. And I'm not criticizing any of the three people who are the ones who always get to talk all the time at these things. ... I'm not criticizing. But look folks, let's get straight to it here. This is not about experience. It's not about change. It's about action."

*NEW YORK SEN. HILLARY CLINTON

"And I don't mind taking hits on my record on issues, but when somebody starts throwing mud, at least we can hope that it's both accurate and not right out of the Republican playbook.

*CONNECTICUT SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD

"There's a shrillness to the debate. The American people want results, they want the job done. ... We want a Democratic candidate who can unite our party. And I think if we waste time on the shrillness of this debate, then we lose the American people."

*FORMER NORTH CAROLINA SEN. JOHN EDWARDS

"The most important issue is she (Clinton) says she will bring change to Washington, while she continues to defend a system that does not work, that is broken, that is rigged and is corrupt; corrupted against the interest of most Americans."

*OHIO REP. DENNIS KUCINICH

"The American people are entitled to a debate here."

*ILLINOIS SEN. BARACK OBAMA

"Senator Clinton, I think, is a capable politician and I think that she has run a terrific campaign. But what the American people are looking for right now is straight answers to tough questions, and that is not what we've seen out of Senator Clinton on a host of issues."

*NEW MEXICO GOV. BILL RICHARDSON

"You know, let's stop this mud-slinging. Let's stop this going after each other on character on trust. Let us debate the issues that affect the American people, and let us be positive. Let's be positive."

(Writing by JoAnne Allen)