Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Dem Debaters Get Feisty

Policy talk devolves into bickering between Clinton, Obama

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2008 8:35 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama drowned out policy talk in a South Carolina presidential debate tonight as they bickered over Ronald Reagan and what Obama called Clinton's "corporate" past, CNN reports. On economic policy, they wrangled over Senate votes as much as subprime bailout plans. “This kind of squabbling, how many kids are going to get health care from this?" John Edwards asked.

Edwards pitched his anti-poverty and green technology plans but soon joined Clinton in attacking Obama's record, the Chicago Tribune reports. The three later cooled off to discuss race, equality, and Iraq pull-out plans, but their hostility revealed the tensions of a close Clinton-Obama run for the nomination, a Washington Post analyst wrote: "This campaign is going to get even more intense" up to Super Tuesday.

Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, waves as she and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., wait on stage before the Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, Jan. 21,...
Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, waves as she and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., wait on stage before the Democratic...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls from left, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., participate in a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopefuls from left, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., participate in a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, shakes hands as daughter Chelsea Clinton, left, and Kate Edwards, daughter of former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., chat following a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, shakes hands as daughter Chelsea Clinton, left, and Kate Edwards, daughter of former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., chat following...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., listen to a question during a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., listen to a question during a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. walks onto the stage before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. walks onto the stage before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Monday,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., stands on the stage before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., stands on the stage before a Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related Stories

New York Times blogs the debate
New York Times

Obama couldn't defend himself against Hillary: blogger
Talking Points Memo

GOP blogger glad that Hillary is slamming Obama
American Spectator

Transcript of the debate
Washington Post

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • Bill Clinton • credit card • Martin Luther King Jr. • Democratic presidential primaries • South Carolina primary • economic stimulus package • Iraq war

More Newser Stories

Like Health Reform? Thank John Edwards

Clinton Gives Obama High Marks, Blasts Bush

Clintons Still Seething Over Racist Portrayal

Bill: I Made Mistakes but I'm No Racist

Post-Primaries, Bill Hits Road to Recovery
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne