In the last debate before Super Tuesday, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off Thursday evening in Los Angeles.
The two repeatedly associated themselves with Sen. John Edwards, who dropped out of the race earlier this week and whose endorsement both are seeking. Both also seemed to assume that Sen. John McCain will win the Republican nomination for president.
Hilary Clinton supporters outside the Kodak Theater on Thursday. (Splash News)
The evening was, for the most part, civil and offered a discussion on the issues and where the two candidates differed on them.
“I would emphasize that what really is important here, because the Republicans were in California debating yesterday: they are more of the same,” said Clinton. “Neither of us, just by looking at us, you can tell, we are not more of the same. We will change our country….On January 20, 2009, one of us will be sworn in as president and will have a stack of problems inherited from a failed administration.”
A lot of time was spent outlining their policy differences on the issue of healthcare. According to Clinton, for healthcare to be universal, it must be mandatory. Obama disagrees.
“She believes that we have to force people who don’t have health insurance to buy it — [that] otherwise, there will be a lot of people who don’t get it,” Obama said. “I don’t see those folks.”
The candidates also clashed over the issue of immigration. Obama mentioned that to suggest that the economic problems we all are facing are the result of immigration is a “scapegoat” and that we should not use immigration as an excuse. Clinton, on the other hand, said illegal immigration hurts American workers.
Barack Obama supporters outside the Kodak Theater on Thursday. (Splash News)
Although both candidates answered the question without really answering the question, the notion of the two being a “dream ticket” for the Democrats concluded the evening. Obama said:
“I respect Sen. Clinton. I think her service to this country has been extraordinary. And I’m glad that we’ve been walking on this road together and that we are still on that road.We’ve got a lot more road to travel. And so I think it’s premature for either of us to start speculating about Vice Presidents — I think it would be premature and presumptuous.”
Clinton also shed no light on whether she thought an Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket was a possibility:
“This has been an extraordinary campaign, and I think both of us have been overwhelmed by the response that we have engendered, the kind of enthusiasm and intensity that people feel about each of us,” she said. “And so, clearly, we are both dedicated to doing the best we can to win the nomination, but there is no doubt we will have a unified Democratic Party.”
But she did offer a great response when asked if there was something wrong with two families controlling the presidency over the last four presidencies. Clinton responded, “It did take a Clinton to clean after the first Bush, and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush.”
CSPANJUNKIE on YouTube has uploaded the debate in its entirety.
Look at Ron Pauls position on healthcare
The federal government decided long ago that it knew how to manage your health care better than you and replaced personal responsibility and accountability with a system that puts corporate interests first. Our free market health care system that was once the envy of the world became a federally-managed disaster.
Few people realize that Congress forced Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) on us. HMOs rose to prominence through federal legislation, incentives, and coercion.
Now, the Food and Drug Administration’s bias toward large pharmaceutical companies enlarges their power, limits treatment options, and drives consumers to seek Canadian medicines. Regulations from D.C. make it virtually impossible for small business owners to cover their employees. The unemployed often cannot afford insurance, meaning those who need basic medical attention overcrowd emergency rooms and drive up premiums.
The federal government will not suddenly become efficient managers if universal health care is instituted. Government health care only means long waiting periods, lack of choice, poor quality, and frustration. Many Canadians, fed up with socialized medicine, come to the U.S. in order to obtain care. Socialized medicine will not magically work here.
Health care should not be left up to HMOs, big drug companies, and government bureaucrats.
It is time to take back our health care. This is why I support:
* Making all medical expenses tax deductible.
* Eliminating federal regulations that discourage small businesses from providing coverage.
* Giving doctors the freedom to collectively negotiate with insurance companies and drive down the cost of medical care.
* Making every American eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA), and removing the requirement that individuals must obtain a high-deductible insurance policy before opening an HSA.
* Reform licensure requirements so that pharmacists and nurses can perform some basic functions to increase access to care and lower costs.
By removing federal regulations, encouraging competition, and presenting real choices, we can make our health care system the envy of the world once again.
I have notice over the last few months that Hillary never gives a truthful answer. I think the War issue was right on. Did anyone pick up the statement that Hillary made about the Immigration here is CLINTON:
Well, I just have to correct the record for one second, because, obviously, we do agree about the need to have comprehensive immigration reform.
And if I recall, about a week after I said that I would try to support my governor, although I didn’t agree with it personally.
People can we take a chance on a person who keeps saying I don’t agree but I will sign.
Why y’all gotta pay for health care, in a majority of the world healthcare is free. Even in other super powers like the UK and France. I think that America should take note ofthis….healthcare is an important issue
fallbackhaterz
healthcare is not free anywhere
would you like 30 % sales taxes to pay for your “free” healthcare.
or 40% income tax…huh?
“When the American People wake up and realize what the federal government has done to them; I would not want to be the president, or a senator or congressman. I would not want to be a judge on the bench, nor would I want to be in law enforcement nor even the local dog catcher. Because; When the American People wake up. they will hunt them down and give them a fair trial, and hang them on the capital steps.” -COL. RUSSELL HERRMAN-Herman -November 17, 1993
would you like 30 % sales taxes to pay for your “free” healthcare.
or 40% income tax…huh?
Yes I would because healthcare should be free and if paying 30% ST or 40% IT is a way to assure that me and my family can go to the doctor and not go bankrupt because of cost, or worse die because insurance won’t cover the cost and the hospital turns the sick away. How selfish are you that you feel you should not pay a little more so that humans can live. Shame on you.
So you would pay all those taxes to line the pockets of insurance companies?
Free markets are better. The people win. Regulating bodies like the FDA only help biig business
I just saw an earlier comment about cubans and amnesty, the reason we receive amnesty is because if we even speak against our government, like people here can talk about bush, we will get shot in public by the government to make an example, not making it up this happened to several of my relatives. In cuba, there is secret government police on every block watching your every move making sure you don’t do anything anti-castro because if they see you or even think you did something, well you just might disappear and no one hears from you again.
I read some of the comments and I don’t know who brought up illegals having licences but they can and do have them. If an illeagal immigrant wants a licence all they have to do is go to DMV in Oakland (the Calremont DMV to be exact) and pay $400 and you got one.
I’m suprised they just now catching that out here in the Bay because they been doing it since I was in high school and I graduated 6 yrs ago.
Oh and don’t get me started on this universal health care plan of Hillary’s at the SC debate she said her plan would cover illeagal immigrants. I have nothing against people wanting to come here but why pay for their health care if they are not leagal. I live in CA and half the state dosn’t have health insurance. What is even more depressing is that most of the people have jobs!
YURSEF X
THAT MAY VERY WELL BE THATS TODAYS TIME IS NOT WHAT WAS VISIONED BUT BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS IS AS GOOD AS GETS ….. & I DONT WONT TO SEE THE FEW THINGS WE HAVE GET TAKEN AWAY
OBAMA 08***
184 – thats because certain states allow it, Cali being one of them
and the health care system in the UK works because the country is small, universal health care works for certain populations, plus u have long ass wait times to get treatment for diseass like cancer…but atleast u get treatment – hopefully u dont die waiting.
The US is too large for “TRUE” universal health care, Obama’s plan makes sense.
Yusef u should give up, no one really cares for Ron Paul…
BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT 2008!!! VOTE THIS TUESDAY!! PEOPLE UNITE!! YES HE CAN!! LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
@57 you noticed too huh lol…@143 that’s how you do it Brotha! Bottom line people Super Tuesday is make or break time.
I WAS AFRAID GOING INTO THIS DEBATE BECAUSE I THOUGH HILARY WAS GONING TO SLAUGHTER OBAMA……………………SHE IS A DEBATER MEANING SHE SAYS ALOT WITHOUT SAYING A DAMN THING!!!!!!HE WS READY FOR HER LAST NIGHT…..FOR EVERY PLAN SHE HAD, HE HAD A MORE REALISTIC ONE……………………MANDATED HEALTH CARE IS A RIP OFF JUST LIKE CAR INSURANCE……….U PAY MONEY EVERY MONTH, IF U CALCULATE THE AMOUNT U PAY A YEAR VERSES DOCTOR BILLS FOR THE YEAR; CLEARLY U LOSE! INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE DEALS WITH THE GOVERNMENT….. THINK…….GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR CARE, UR BILL MAY BE $200, BUT THE IF UR UNINSURED U HAVE TO PAY $200, BUT IF UR INSURED THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS THEM ONLY $100….SO DO U TRULY THINK UR WINING BY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY $100/M FOR A $100/YEAR HOSPITAL BILL? NOT
BUT I THINK IF HILARY WINS THE TICKET, OBAMA HAS TO BE HER RUNNING MATE…………OR ELSE HE WILL BE LIKE KERRY, “NOBODY LOVES ME ANYMORE” LOL……….PEOPLE WILL FORGET THAT HE EXISTS!
GO OBAMA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama won last nights debate hands down. He spoke indept about his platform and vision for the country.
For those of you having difficulty understanding his healthcare plan it’s this simple. If you need healthcare it will be made affordable to you based on your income. If you are poor and are low income it’s free. If you have children under 18, they’re required to be covered. No one is turned away for prexisting conditions or because they can’t afford to pay. It’s that simple.
Hillary’s plan mandates that everyone by law sign up for health insurance and they will recieved discount rates based on their income in the form on Tax Credits. If you do not sign up, you will be breaking the law and can be fined.
Obama believes people aren’t signing up for healthcare, because they can’t afford it, not because they aren’t being forced too and I agree. Most people who don’t have healthcare want it but can’t afford it. If you make it affordable to them and don’t turn them away for prexisting conditions than you have healthcare for everyone. Obama has already helped deliver healthcare to Illionios children so I rather go with the person who got it right the first time.
Also, please understand that Hillary’s plan is not Universal Healthcare like you see in Canada or France or England. In those countries healthcare is free and everyone pays through their taxes. Both of these plans require some kind of individual contribution. Neither of these plans provide that.
People who continue to say that Obama has no substance are just not reading his platform or his record. If you allow yourself to be educated by CNN and MSNBC than you will never make smart decisions in the voting booth. Read the candidates platforms, call their campaign offices and ask questions, find the volunteers in your area and ask them for information. I’m conviced that if people were actually doing that they would know that Obama’s the best choice. Of all the candidates he is the one who has actually spoke most about the issues and he is the only candidate that actually has a genuine philosphy on how to run government from the bottom up. His campaign alone is a testiment to that. He’s mobilized and organized more grassroot activism and donations than any compaign in history. Thats a model for how he plan’s to govern.
If you’ll are prepared to allow a dynasty to continue – ok. But I’m ready for a new direction with a proven leader who is the most innovative and principled candidate the Democratic party has offered for years.
Obama ’08
@ Yussef, if you believe all of problems are solved by the free markets than you are out of your mind. The free market and capatalism unchecked have been two of the greatest perpetuators of the striking disparities we see in our world today. If you need any indication for why the repbulican party and their backwards economic theory, focused on dergulation and tax incentives doesn’t work, just look are the state of our economy right now. The republican party had proven time and time again to be worse at growing an economy than anyone. And if the Bush error is any indication – they also have proven to spend more, create a bigger deficit and make governement bigger.
What I want is an Obama – Bloomberg ticket. Or even Obama – Edwards. If Hilary wins the nom, I’m voting for the most bearable person for another four years — which is certainly not her. This country is more than ready for a new beginning.
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“I can’t believe LeBron is going to the Bulls, he should really just stay where he is.”