John Baer: We're still on the lapel thing? Seriously?

MAYBE IT'S ME but last night's debate seemed too much about the "gotcha" politics that campaigns and much of the national media thrives on and not enough of the actual problems facing Pennsylvania voters.

Yeah, it was fun to hear Hillary Clinton say, even though she had to be asked twice, that she thinks, "Yes, yes, yes," Barack Obama can be elected president.

Of course, she said she can do a better job.

And, what a surprise! Obama thinks Clinton could be elected president but thinks he's the better candidate.

What I thought was: ZZZZZZZZZ.

The whole thing started with a soft opening, short general statements from each about how voters "don't feel like they're being listened to" (Obama) and "feel that their government is not solving problems"(Clinton).

Then there was a TV commercial.

That should have been a warning.

There followed a rehash of Obama's "bitter" words, of the Rev. Wright, of Bosnia and - proving there is no standard whatsoever when it comes to modern national political debate - a discussion of American flag lapel pins.

I don't know.

Somewhere in the back of my mind is this notion that voters, whose economy is crippled by a senseless, seemingly endless war, whose personal budgets are crushed by the price of gasoline and the cost of health care and, for many, college tuition, maybe, just maybe, aren't so interested in flag pins.

I could be wrong.

And "Bittergate"?

Obama said he can see "how people were offended" by his comments that when some working-class people get frustrated with their government they cling to guns and religion.

He also called the "issue" a distraction that's "not helping that person sitting at the kitchen table trying to figure out how to pay the bills."

Clinton, who continues pushing Bittergate hard in Pennsylvania, offered a well-crafted statement about how she's the "granddaughter of a factory worker in Scranton" who was active in his church, and how neither her grandfather nor father nor others "cling to religion" when Washington isn't listening to them.

So she can see why people would be "offended."

She also can see . . . oh, forget it, we've been over this before.

Same with Bosnia.

She got a question about her discredited claim of ducking sniper fire.

She said, "I'm embarrassed by it . . . it was a mistake."

Again, little but rehash.

At one point, Obama offered the media a tip: "Don't get so obsessed with gaffes that we lose sight of the fact that this is a defining moment in American history."

It was no sale.

ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson sought to rehash the Rev. Wright - the voice of "God damn America" - forcing Obama to recount the gist of his speech on race, given in Philly last month.

Clinton, never shy about repeating campaign sound bites, repeated her sound bite that she would have left Wright's church because while you can't pick your family (wonder who she has in mind?), "You get to choose your pastor."

She added: "It is something that I think deserves further exploration . . . it is clear that as leaders we have a choice who we associate with . . . these are problems and raise questions in peoples' minds."

So, in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, the sister showed the brother little of either.

But the head-to-head at the National Constitution Center was not the brawl some expected despite conventional wisdom that Clinton, the self-proclaimed Rocky Balboa in this fight, needed at least a TKO to ensure a big win in next week's primary.

They both said they're committed to not raising taxes on the middle class.

They both said they're committed to getting us out of Iraq.

But my guess is nothing they said will change the landscape or move voters or have much impact on the outcome of next Tuesday's vote. *