Democrats Face Off in Philly

Clinton, Obama look for advantage 6 days ahead of primary
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 16, 2008 7:36 PM CDT
Democrats Face Off in Philly
Carlos Soto, left, kisses Helen V. Gonzales, both supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton outside the National Constitution Center before the debate.    (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama squared off in a Philadelphia debate tonight less than a week ahead of Pennsylvania's primary, and the recent flap over Obama's "bitter" comments took center stage early. Clinton noted that she's the granddaughter of a factory worker and that her family wouldn't "cling to religion" if it were upset with Washington, the New York Times reports. "That's a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of religion and faith," she said.

Obama acknowledged that his remarks could be seen as patronizing but maintained that people are "frustrated and angry." He noted that Clinton was criticized as elitist in 1992 with her "baking cookies" comment and said she "learned the wrong lesson because she's adopting the same tactics." Both hedged on committing to make the other a running mate but agreed that either could beat John McCain. On her recent Bosnia exaggeration, Clinton said, "I was not as accurate as I have been in the past." (More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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