So I'm sitting in the press filing center here in Los Angeles at the Kodak theatre and I'm thinking to myself, "When is the fight going to break out?" Isn't that horrible? I'm a bad journalist. Forget the substance right? All I want to see is Obama and Clinton go at it. This is called, "Confessions of a sicko journalist".
The bottom line; they both kept it clean and nice, and you know what? It was kind of refreshing. They both looked presidential and really smart. Maybe most of all, both came across as very mature in how to deal with the problems the country faces. It was probably a good move by both to do this. Showing unity among Democrats will be important come General Election time because if the party stays unified and not disillusioned about what happened between Obama and Clinton, they have a great shot to win The White House.
The tone was set early by Barack Obama, who offered an olive branch of sorts by basically saying he was going to be friends with Hillary Clinton no matter what happens. Clinton returned the compliment.
The canidates differ on some issues like healthcare, but the overall goal is the same. It seems foreign policy is where there seems to be a greater divide. Obama clearly is ready to meet with rogue leaders without preconditions. Hillary won't. Also, while they both want to get out of this war in Iraq, you get the sense in their comments tonight that it may be a more slower go of it under Clinton.
The most interesting part of the debate is how both of them went after the presume Republican candidate John McCain. You can see the Obama General Election strategy right now. He'll paint a contrast on the war and those tax cuts McCain now wants to extend. Clinton is ready to mix it up on the war too.
I'm now leaving the Kodak Theatre. I fly back from L.A. Friday. I'll spend 48 hours with my family and then I'm off to my next location to cover the big Super Duper Opper, Looper February 5th. I'm tired.
By the way, a quick side note. They had food here. A box with a turkey sandwich, apple and chips. Whatever. Not great. Maybe I'll call to In N Out Burger. Have you ever been to one of those out West? They're great!
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