Friendly Democratic debate allows important issues to be discussed
On Thursday evening, president candidates Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama met for the first time for their one on one debate before Super Tuesday, reported The New York Times.
Both candidates believed that the presidential race is really between them. “We will change our country,� said Clinton.
In an atmosphere of smiles and cordially remarks, the candidates lay their differences in health care, the war in Iraq and driver license for illegal immigrants.
Obama believes that he has a stronger position in regards to the war in Iraq because unlike Clinton, he voted against the war in Iraq in 2002.
“I think it is much easier for us to have the argument when we have a nominee who says, ‘I always thought this was a bad idea, this was a bad strategy,� said Obama.
Clinton has had to explain her decision on the 2002 Senate vote for war against Iraq and her shift in opposition to it.
She has also had to explain herself in her shift in position in the issue of immigration.
Obama supports giving driver license to illegal immigrants. “People don’t come here to drive, they come here to work,� said Barack.
He also brought to attention that Clinton has “a number of different answers on [it] over the course of six weeks,� said Obama, “now she has a clear position, but it took awhile.�
Clinton rebutted by explaining that her initial stand was so she could help Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York. Now she has changed her position, she believes that it is a “difficult issue.�
Both candidates were asked about the possibility of becoming each others vice president, reports the StarTribune.com.
“I respect Senator Clinton, I think her service to this country is extraordinary.� But Obama said, “We’ve got a lot more road to travel,� Clinton just agreed with Barack.
They were not allowed to question each other during the debate, but they did take questions from the views.
“A 38-year-old woman in South Carolina, who sent her question in by e-mail, said she had never voted for someone not named Bush or Clinton. She wondered how Clinton would represent change.� (New York Times)
Clinton replied, “It did take a Clinton to clean after the first Bush and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush.�