SmallGovTimes.com

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

Illinois senator Barack Obama and New York senator Hillary Clinton sparred - cordially - in the last remaining Democratic debate before Super Tuesday this evening, sponsored by CNN and hosted by Wolf Blitzer and several Politico analysts.

Obama began his opening statement by acknowledging the departure of John Edwards and the role that he plays in poverty, clearly a play to pick up the ex-North Carolina senator's dedicated supporters. Using his familiar hand gestures, Obama also took the opportunity to express his friendship with Hillary Clinton, who sat to his left.

Clinton opened up her opening statement by citing the problems the next president faces after George W. Bush's “failed policies”. She then recited a number of issues, like health care, global warming and other domestic initiatives, that need - in her opinion - addressing. “I think it is imperative that we have a problem-solver and that we roll up our sleeves,” the New York senator said.

When asked what the differences are between the two candidates, Clinton took the opportunity to plug her universal health care plan – and mentioned how similar it is to John Edwards' – and continued by acknowledging the threats that the United States faces, but insinuated poor leadership of the past needs to be addressed.

“About 95% of our plans are similar,” Obama said of their health care plans. “We both want to emphasize prevention.” Among the differences, he claims, includes a reduction in costs in overall health care via government subsidies, compared to Clinton, who's policy forces everybody to purchase health care at whatever cost exists. “I was opposed to Iraq from the start,” Obama said, concluding his answer.

The majority of the debate was calm and cordial, both candidates speaking about their own health care plans, immigration proposals and their own versions of "change" - and why their candidacy represents the best plan forward for the country.

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