Clinton, Obama Sharpen Differences

29 June 2007 |permalink | email article

Thursday night’s Democratic presidential debate at Howard University was the most passionate so far before an energized African-American audience – less confrontational, more mini-stump speech and an assault on the Supreme Court decision partially banning affirmative action in public schools.

Moderator Tavis Smiley had to deal with a cumbersome format that did not lend itself to mano a mano between the candidates. A similiar PBS debate in September between Republicans will be interesting.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama got the most applause and stood apart from the other hopefuls.

She got a standing ovation in response to a question on the problem of HIV/AIDS in the black community. His early acknowledgement that only by the work of many African Americans before him was he able to stand on the stage was very powerful.

The Washington Post’s prescient political blogger Chris Cillizza noted that the most intriguing element of the debate was how Clinton and Obama used various questions asked of them to present their various strengths.

Clinton’s responses focused on themes of experience, her Senate work, education, poverty and race relations. Obama sought to offer a broader vision for the nation and alter the scope of the political debate.

The sharp contrast between them, I believe, will intensify in the months ahead. It will be a debate about the status quo vs. change, the present and the future. 

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