MICHAEL BRYANT / Inquirer
Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama stand at the podium during a commercial break at the live ABC televised debate held at the National Constitution Center.
View galleryREADER FEEDBACK
How would you rate ABC's debate questions?
The network's Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolous asked and the candidates answered. Choose the response below that best matches your opinion.
Page: 2 of 3 View All
A tense bid to sway Pa. voters
"The problem with politics is that you take one person's statement, if it's not properly phrased, and beat it to death," he said. "That's the kind of politics we've been accustomed to."
Clinton replied that she wasn't the only person to jump on the remarks, noting that voters and Republicans seized upon them as well.
She said she did not think people "cling to their traditions" such as hunting and guns out of frustration with their government. "I just don't believe that's how people live their lives," she said.
But "what's important is what we both stand for," Clinton said, adding that she believes Pennsylvanians are resilient, positive, and ready for new leadership. "I have a proven record of results."
Although the two showed few differences on policy - and both seemed to struggle explaining their current reluctance to embrace aggressive gun-control measures - they did disagree over what to do about Social Security.
Obama said he would raise the cap on payroll taxes, now set at $97,000, to help make the system solvent. Clinton said that would amount to a tax increase on a lot of people who could not afford it, and said she wanted no tax hikes of any sort for people making less than $250,000.
She said she was committed to saving Social Security through bipartisan measures but did not detail what those measures might be.
The debate, the first since Feb. 26 in Cleveland and the 21st overall for the Democratic candidates, was telecast nationally by ABC and moderated by Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos.
Polls in Pennsylvania generally show Clinton leading by 5 to 10 percentage points. Those margins have held steady, more or less, over the last week, despite the flap over Obama's recent comments made at a California fund-raiser.
With Pennsylvania's primary only five days away, both campaigns are gearing up for a final push in the state.
Clinton needs a victory in Pennsylvania, perhaps a decisive victory, to prevent uncommitted superdelegates from rallying to Obama and pushing for an end to the long nomination battle.
With 10 contests remaining, Obama leads Clinton in delegates, popular votes, national polls, and states won - though Clinton has carried many of the larger states.
Depending on Tuesday's outcome, last night's debate may turn out to be the final one between the two.
Clinton has agreed to a debate April 27 in North Carolina, which, along with Indiana, votes May 6. Obama has yet to commit to it.
Clinton in Region
Hillary Rodham Clinton has scheduled at least two appearances in the Philadelphia region today. At 2 p.m. she is to be at Haverford College with her daughter, Chelsea.
The event is closed to the public.
At 8 p.m. the senator is to attend a block party at the Mayfair Diner, 7373 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia.
Barack Obama has no scheduled Pennsylvania events today.
