Clinton-Obama Debate: Most Likely a farewell for one of them

Philip Fernando in Seattle

Enthusiasm and power versus experience and poise: the titans met in a classic debate last week. Most believed that it was a dead heat.

Barrack Obama, the front runner and Hillary Clinton, the indefatigable fighter clashed at times but for the most part were courteous. One of them was saying farewell before one of the largest audiences in recent memory to watch them debate so well.

No matter what happens we are going to be fine, said Hillary Clinton and everyone broke out in loud applause. Some said that it was the fond farewell-but by whom. Only the next two primaries in Ohio and Texas on March 2 will tell.

There was no room for fluff and uncertainty in their ideas. The strength of their leaderships came through. Obama’s firm stance on his own ideas - rather than just trying to appease the public.

He seemed to say “We should select our president, our president shouldn’t choose us.” Clinton’s depth of knowledge was outstanding. Can they run as President and Vice President? One sour note: Both were pandering to the Hispanic vote in no uncertain manner. We will build a fence to keep the illegals out and it can be done with lesser anguish. The leading Spanish language TV station had questions to both but they just would not say anything that would even sound like offensive.

How will they fare against John McCain was the other question that cropped up and Clinton spoke of the need to get rid of the failed Bush policies while Obama said he was against the war from day one and he had been proved right.

Both fought on the details of the healthcare plan trying to prove one was better but could not agree as to where they were disagreeing and how to fix that. Obama had mastered the art of clinching points with ease. Clinton’s initial vote to send troops to Iraq was harder to fight off. She had to separate herself from Obama without sounding like Bush.

Her problem was that talking of experience made her as if she was not an agent for hope, as if hope and experience were contradictory. Obama inspired everyone and had the luxury of not having to show the depth of his stature as yet. It is obvious that McCain will harp on the fact that neither candidate has military experience. The debate was good theatre but as usual specifics were lost in a sea of verbiage. That is part of the debating process, I suppose.