On the campaign trail, the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates squared off in their final debate last night in Los Angeles. The tone was mostly cordial as the candidates tried to temper criticism of what has been called a rancorous campaign.

Sen. Barack Obama: “I don’t think the choice is between black and white or it’s about gender or religion. I don’t think it’s about young or old. I think what is at
stake right now is whether we are looking backwards or we are looking forwards. I think it is the past versus the future.”

Senator Hillary Clinton later talked about the importance of replacing a Bush presidency with another Clinton.

Sen. Hillary Clinton: “And, you know, 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.”

The most heated exchange came over the Iraq war, with Senator Barack Obama criticizing Clinton’s 2002 vote to authorize the invasion. Clinton said she and Obama have shared similar positions on the war since Obama came to office. But Obama said it was important to elect a candidate who opposed the war from the beginning. Clinton also defended her vote in favor of the US attack, saying it was in part justified because Saddam Hussein was a “megalomaniac, [who] would not want to compete for attention with Osama bin Laden.” At the end of the debate the candidates were asked if they would run as the other’s vice presidential nominee.

Sen. Obama: “Well, obviously there’s a big difference between those two. But, look, let me say this, and I said this at the time: I respect Senator 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 we’re 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, etc. I think it would be premature
and presumptuous.”

Sen. Clinton: “Well, I have to agree with everything Barack just said.”