Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards appeared to rebut primary rival Barack Obama Monday, calling on Congress to resist President Bush on the war in Iraq even if Bush as promised vetoes a date for withdrawal of American troops.

"This is not a time for timidity from Congress. This is a time for leadership and strength," Edwards said at the opening of a town hall-style forum at Concord High School Monday.

"The Congress should make absolutely clear they are going to stand by what they passed."

Obama told Associated Press on Sunday the Congress should pass the war funding money without a timeline for withdrawal if Bush vetoed the spending bill.