SmallGovTimes.com

By: SGT News | Published on 01/31/08    

The two remaining Democratic presidential contenders, Illinois senator Barack Obama and New York senator Hillary Clinton, will square off tonight in a raucous CNN/Politico/LA Times-sponsored debate in Kodak Theater at 8 ET.

Debates between the senators quickly turn into festive affairs with incessant accusations quickly flying between the two politicians. This will be their first one-on-one debate as a result of John Edwards ending his presidential bid earlier this week.

"Now that there are only the two of them, I think the stakes are even higher and the level of discourse will be even more serious,” UCLA assistant professor of political science Lynn Vavreck opined.

Prevailing wisdom indicates the two will forget the niceties of the past and instead attack their opponents with focus and dedication as both candidates work to make themselves out to be the best qualified to lead the free world. After the customary hand shake, the gloves will be coming off.

“The Kennedy endorsement was part of it. It’s causing some people to give Obama a second look,” said one online political blogger. Several days ago, Kennedy officially endorsed the Illinois senator, much to the disgust of Bill Clinton who pleaded with Kennedy to reconsider.

The California Democratic Party campaign adviser Bob Mulholland said that tonight's debate is so hot that “we're getting more requests for tickets than the Oscars are getting.” The Oscars will be hosted in the same theater next month.

Like the GOP debate hosted by CNN and Politico last night, no time limits will be enforced. Anderson Cooper, who moderated the debate between the Republicans, only asked that candidates keep their answers “reasonable” in length. Wolf Blitzer is scheduled to moderate tonight.

Original URL:
http://www.smallgovtimes.com/story/08jan31.clinton.obama.war/index.html