Edwards' criticism came during a forum on global warming, where he and fellow Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dennis Kucinich outlined similar goals of curbing greenhouse gases, expanding alternative energy sources and creating jobs in a green economy.

The three appeared separately on stage, the only candidates from either party to accept invitations from sponsors Grist, an online environmental magazine, and Public Radio International's "Living on Earth," a nationally broadcast program on environmental concerns. The forum was held in partnership with the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and other environmental groups.

Like his rivals, Edwards said climate change requires urgent action. But he argued repeatedly that measures to slow global warming are being hindered by a broken political system in Washington that bends to corporate power and feeds off its money.

"I see the oil and gas companies blocking progress by spending millions of dollars and deploying hundreds of lobbyists in Washington to make sure that America stays addicted to foreign oil and fossil fuels," Edwards said.

Edwards' comments on lobbyists appeared aimed at least partly at Clinton. He has accused her of being beholden to corporate interests that have contributed lavishly to her campaign. Clinton has accepted $567,950 (€387,652) from lobbyists, while Edwards has accepted $18,900 (€12,900), according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

In her remarks, Clinton credited other Democrats for making proposals to address climate warming but sought to distinguish herself as the candidate best able to bring about those changes.

Progress, she stressed, "takes more than a plan." A president needs "strength and experience to make it a reality," she said, echoing a campaign refrain.

President George W. Bush was a frequent target of the candidates. And each talked with concern about workers, such as coal miners, who could suffer in a transition to a green-tinged economy.

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