Detroit - Under the golden glare of Detroit's Fox Theatre, the Motor City got its first glance of the nine democratic hopefuls battling for the 2004 presidency.

Foreign policy dominated most of the 90-minute battle, including fiery talk about the Patriot Act, criticism of President Bush's stance on the war on terror and his plan to use $87 billion to rebuild Iraq.

"We failed to get to the root of terrorism," U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri said. "We've only looked for symptoms."

Candidates took turns taking shots at the Bush administration, including its economic policy and its reasons behind starting a war with Iraq.

"We will not continue to play Bush roulette," the Rev. Al Sharpton said. "It used to be called Russian roulette; now its called Bush roulette."

Candidates also criticized former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean for his lack of experience abroad and retired Gen. Wesley Clark's lack of experience in public office.

"I'm in this campaign because this country's in one big mess," Clark said. "It's a mess in Iraq and it's a mess back home