Democratic debate turns into a love movie
HOLLYWOOD (AFP) — And the Academy award goes to ... Democratic unity.
A much-anticipated fight night between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton failed to materialize as a touching Hollywood tale unfolded at the venue of the Oscars.
The famed Kodak Theater had been billed as the stage for the latest punch-up on the road to the White House, as the two Democrats went head to head Thursday for the first time in a debate setting before "Super Tuesday" next week.
What came instead was a thoughtful discussion of policy differences between the Illinois senator and the former first lady, their civil exchanges a far cry from the venom of the previous Democratic debate in South Carolina.
"We're having such a good time, we're having a wonderful time!" Clinton said at one point, in a week that saw Obama seem to snub his Senate colleague at President George W. Bush's State of the Union speech.
Clinton said that while she and Obama may differ on healthcare, economic remedies and how to handle unsavory foreign regimes, what united them was far greater -- a shared desire to boot the Republicans out of the White House.
"Just by looking at us, you can tell we are not more of the same," she said, noting the extraordinary prospect of the first African-American, or first woman, becoming commander-in-chief of the world's sole superpower.
For his part, Obama noted some of the heated exchanges that have characterized this dramatic nomination epic in recent weeks as the Democratic race has tightened.
"And I also want to note that I was friends with Hillary Clinton before we started this campaign; I will be friends with Hillary Clinton after this campaign is over," he said to warm applause.
The Democratic candidates' cordiality may have been encouraged by the debate setting: they were seated within touching distance on the stage, rather than standing at lecterns at an adversarial distance.
Befitting the venue, there was a sprinkling of Hollywood celebrities in the audience including Steven Spielberg, Pierce Brosnan and Jason Alexander, who played the neurotic George Costanza in television comedy "Seinfeld."
Obama dropped his own debate neuroses, drawing frequent laughs for witty put-downs of the Republicans -- his relaxed demeanor a contrast to his hesitant, and sometimes rambling, answers at previous debates.
Republican front-runner John McCain came in for frequent jibes from both the Democrats as, finally, some clarity started to emerge in the White House competition heading into Tuesday's primaries in nearly two dozen states.
When the candidates did clash, over Iraq or over allowing illegal immigrants to have driving licenses, the remarks were pointed but the tone never less than reasonable.
A nuanced mix of policy details and uplifting rhetoric, Obama's performance may have gone some way to answering critics who said his electrifying oratory at campaign rallies failed consistently to translate onto a smaller stage.
But ahead of Oscar night next month, the award for best actor at the Democratic debate may have to be shared, with Clinton just as assured in grinding out detailed policy prescriptions for putting America to rights.
Asked why voters should put up with two decades of Bush and Clinton rule, the former first lady drew the most sustained ovation of the night for proclaiming that just as her husband had succeeded George Bush the elder, it would take another member of the family to "clean up" after his son.
While there were only two Democrats left on the stage, the Oscar for best supporting actor would have to go to John Edwards, who surprisingly quit the White House race on Wednesday.
The former vice presidential nominee received generous praise from Obama and Clinton -- who, like any good Hollywood hustler, are both eyeing the main chance of securing Edwards' endorsement, and his supporters and fundraisers.
At the debate's conclusion, Obama and Clinton were all smiles as they shared a quiet word and a Kodak moment in the Kodak Theater -- but this movie reel is still playing, and battle will soon resume.
