Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton faced each other in a final crucial debate at the LA Kodak Theatre. Photo by telegraph.co.uk
US democratic presidential runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama aired their policy differences over health care and Iraq in a final debate before primary voting in 22 states on February 5, Bloomberg reported.
"The differences between Barack and I pale in comparison to the differences that we have with Republicans,'' Clinton said during the LA debate.
The Illinois senator Obama said he and Clinton were friends before starting their campaigns and will remain friends after they end.
For more than 90 minutes, the two largely avoided the clashes that have marked the campaign in recent weeks, though early in the session, Obama, 46, criticized Clinton's plan to require all Americans to buy health insurance.
Clinton, 60, however said Democrats had a moral obligation to demand universal health care.
The debate was the first since former North Carolina Senator John Edwards abandoned his campaign on January 30, narrowing the race for the Democratic nomination to a one-on-one contest between Obama and Clinton. Both candidates praised their former rival.
The debate at the Hollywood Kodak Theatre also had a historic dimension, with a woman and an African-American as the last two major candidates in a presidential primary contest.
"I don't think the choice is between black and white, or it is about gender or religion,'' Obama said.
Clinton explained that whoever is elected president will inherit "a stack of problems from a failed administration.''
Obama and Clinton both criticized the present head of state Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, while taking issue with Republican front-runner John McCain's stance in favor of a continuing troop presence there.
Both candidates demurred when asked if they would consider the other as a running mate.
The two claimed they favor rolling back some of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, and use the savings to expand health-care coverage.
Obama and Clinton said they support a path that would allow illegal immigrants to pay fines and other penalties in return for citizenship.
The event drew celebrities, politicians and supporters at the Hollywood Kodak Theatre.
Both runners said their own experiences made them better suited to serve as president.
"I respect Senator Clinton's record; I think it's a terrific record,'' Obama said. "But I also believe that the skills that I have are the ones that are needed right now to move the country forward.''
Clinton said her work over 35 years as an attorney, first lady and senator has led to "really positive change in people's lives.''