On nytimes.com today, a report about the Democratic debate from last night explained that Sen. Barack Obama was put on the defense most of the night as Sen. Hillary Clinton questioned and criticized issues that have many inquiring about the Illinois senator.
The first debate between the two in seven weeks comes six days before the Pennsylvania primary and could decide if Clinton can continue her campaign.
Moderated by Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos of ABC news, the debate focused on Obama’s questionable relationships, his not wearing a flag lapel and his controversial comment about small-town Americans.
Obama gave one of his weakest performances as Clinton pushed him on the issues.
Clinton attacked his relationship with his former pastor, a 1960s radical he is now acquainted with and also his comments about “bitter” Pennsylvanians.
Obama responded and defended himself in each instance.
In regards to his “bitter” comment, Obama related it to a comment in 1992 that Clinton made.
“You know, I recall when back in 1992, when she made a statement about how, ‘what do you expect, should I be at home baking cookies?’” Obama said. “And people attacked her for being elitist and this and that. And I remember watching that on TV and saying, well, that’s not who she is; that’s not what she believes; that’s not what she meant. And I’m sure that that’s how she felt as well.”
As the debate moved to political issues, Clinton and Obama separately explained the slight differences in their Iraq war and economic policies.
Both candidates said that they would begin to pull troops out of Iraq, even if military commanders recommended against it.
Clinton was positioning herself as the more prepared candidate but did acknowledge that she believed Obama could win in November, but that she was “better able and better prepared.”
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