Clinton and Obama square off in final Democratic primary debate  In the final debate of the Democratic presidential primary process, Senators Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois squared off in Burbank, CA. Seats in the Kodak Theater were rumored to be going for $1,000 each as the two appeared alone on a debate stage for the first time in the contest.
The pre-Super Duper Tuesday debate got off with a conciliatory note from Sen. Obama.
"I was friends with Hillary Clinton before we started campaign, and I will be friends with her after this campaign is done," he noted.
But he added that there was a choice facing voters.
"It is about the past versus the future," he said, hinting that he represented a new choice.
Clinton's opening remarks were less gracious, as she pointed to the litany of problems facing the next administration on its first day in office.
"It is imperative that we have a president starting on day one who can begin to solve our problems, tackle challenges, and seize opportunities that await," she argued. "It is important that we have a problem-solver, I'm offering that approach."
Democrats debate mandatory health coverage
The debate focused first on the different approaches to a national health care policy, with Obama arguing that Clinton's policy of mandating coverage was inappropriate.
"Are you going to find them? Are you going to garnish their wages?" Obama asked of citizens who choose not to sign up for plans. "I think Sen. Clinton has not answered that question."
Clinton responded that her policy would lower costs so that health care could be afforded by all. She also argued that Obama was not consistent in his approach to mandates, as he accepted mandatory coverage for children.
"It's not that he's against mandatory provisions, it's that he doesn't think it's politically acceptable for everyone," she said, noting that her proposal was in line with the ideas of John Edwards, the former senator who left the campaign on Wednesday. "You have to recognize what John Edwards and I did, you have to bite this bullet."
Obama followed up that his proposal was supported by Sen. Ted Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat and party leader who endorsed his campaign earlier in the week. He called for all negotiations on health care to be broadcast on C-SPAN.
When Blitzer asked if Obama was taking a "swipe" at Clinton, he said it was not a swipe, but that health care lobbyists' influence had to be limited.
Blitzer then asked the former First Lady about the health care negotiations she did in secret in the 1990s, and Clinton responded that from her experience, a more pragmatic approach was necessary.
"The health insurance industry is very clever, and well funded," she answered. "I learned a lot about what people want, what people are willing to accept, and how we get the political process to work."
When the Democratic candidates were then asked if they worried about the costs of their health care proposals, and how Republicans would portray it, Obama took a shot at Senator John McCain. He referred to the Republican frontrunner's support for sustaining the Bush tax cuts.
"Somewhere along the line the Straight Talk Express lost some wheels," he said.
Immigration differences emerge at the margins of policy
The two candidates offered little substantive difference on immigration policy, but LA Times editor Doyle McManus quizzed Senator Clinton on their variance over granting drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants.
Clinton argued that it was necessary to not put the driver's license issue ahead of other reforms.
"You will further undermine the labor market," if such a route was taken she said. "We need to solve this problem, not exacerbate it."
Obama disagreed, saying that he was trying to take a leadership position.
"This not an issue that polls well, but I think it is the right thing to do," he said. "We need to show leadership on the issue."
Blitzer then asked Obama if he believed Clinton's stance was not "humane" as he appeared to stay in an earlier debate. Obama said it was a matter of principle. After Obama objected to Blitzer appearing to focus on conflict, Obama said he wasn't focusing on Clinton with his remark.
"This wasn't directed particularly at Senator Clinton," he said. "I have stood up consistently on this issue."
Obama also argued that if comprehensive immigration reform were undertaken, the issue would no longer be relevant.
Candidates spar over leadership, experience qualifications
Senator Obama was dismissive of the notion that he lacked sufficient experience to be president.
"A lot of Americans disagree and think that we need to move forward with new leadership," he said.
He then saluted Clinton's record, but argued that he had "that are needed to move America forward."
The two also agreed that Mitt Romney's experience as a CEO did not make him more qualified to be president.
"We have a president who basically ran as the CEO/MBA president, look what we got, I am not too happy about the results," Sen. Clinton said.
Obama followed up, "Mitt Romney has not gotten a very good return on his investment during this campaign."
Clinton was later asked whether or not it was appropriate that many voters had never cast ballots in a contest that did not include a Bush or a Clinton.
"I want to be judged on my own merits," Clinton said, before listing off a litany of her husband's administration's accomplishments that she took pride.
She then added, "It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, it might take another to clean up after the second one."
Blitzer sees 'swipe' over Obama's Iraq statement
As the discussion turned to Iraq, Senator Clinton castigated President Bush for failing to finish the war in Iraq before he leaves office.
"It's the most irresponsible abdication of what should be a presidential mission to finish what he started," she said.
But Senator Obama focused the discussion on the Republicans, saying that if they are elected, "They all want basically a continuation of George Bush's policies," in Iraq.
He then observed that it was necessary to fight against the "mindset" that led to the war in the first place.
Wolf Blitzer then said, "Sen. Clinton, that's a swipe at you."
"Really?" she joked in response.
But Clinton was unwilling to take the bait, focusing instead on the GOP candidates argument that any Democrat who was opposed to the current president's policy was not qualified to be commander-in-chief.
"The Republicans will try to put either one of us in the same box," she said. "I welcome that debate with whoever they nominate."
Obama addressed the question of progress in Iraq since the surge began. He said the improvements were welcome, but not sufficient.
"We have set the bar so low that it's buried in the sand at this point," he said.
He then lashed out at Clinton on questions of gravitas and judgment, suggesting it was better represented in his candidacy.
"It is much easier to have that argument when we have a candidate that can say I always opposed this," he argued. "That's the reason I think I would be the strongest nominee on national security."
Candidates mum on splitting ticket in November
Blitzer then asked Obama and Clinton if they would serve as Vice President on either's ticket as part of a "dream team."
Obama raced to answer the question first, presenting his vision of how his government would be arranged. When Blitzer pressed him if Clinton would be on his "short list," Obama responded graciously.
"I'm sure Hillary would be on anybody's short list," he remarked.
Clinton also parried the question, refusing to answer it directly.
"There is no doubt we will have a unified Democratic Party," she answered. "We will go into the election prepared to win."
 
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