The 10 Democrats in the primary for the U.S. House seat in the 2nd Congressional District met with clusters of constituents last night at Kapolei High School in a televised format billed as "political speed campaigning."

The candidates took turns sitting among circles of citizens, state-level political candidates and at least one staff member of one candidate, who asked questions about the candidates' opinions on a range of issues, from the war in Iraq to mass transit to No Child Left Behind.

The two-hour forum was sponsored by the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. It was broadcast live by KHNL News 8 on K5 and may have given voters a chance to pick a favorite candidate in a race that has not seen a front-runner emerge.

KHNL broadcast the forum commercial free and offered biographical sketches of each of the Democratic candidates trying to succeed U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is running for the Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.

The live broadcast was preceded by taped interviews with the two Republican candidates in the 2nd Congressional District, Bob Hogue and Quentin Kawananakoa.