AP: Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama clashed bitterly Monday over Bill Clinton's role in his wife's campaign and Obama's recent praise for Republicans in a presidential debate five days before the pivotal South Carolina primary.
After a brief discussion of the nation's economic woes, the debate devolved into an angry exchange between the two senators, with Clinton noting Obama had taken campaign contributions from a political patron facing fraud charges and Obama calling Clinton a "corporate lawyer sitting on the board of Wal-Mart."
As Obama tried to defend his comments about Republicans and Ronald Reagan, Clinton interrupted and said she has never criticized his remarks on Reagan.
"Your husband did," said Obama, who has accused the former president of misrepresenting his record.
"I'm here. He's not," she snapped.
John Edwards, who badly trails his two rivals, tried to stay above the fray while pleading for equal time.
"Are there three people in this debate, not two?" he asked.
"We have got to understand, this is not about us personally. It's about what we are trying to do for this country," Edwards said to applause from the audience.
South Carolina holds its primary Saturday.
Clinton and Obama called for tax rebates for individuals to help with home heating and other short-term needs. But Obama claimed he was first with the idea, saying Clinton had "caught up" with him.
Edwards tried to make a distinction by pointing out that Clinton and Obama supported a trade deal with Peru. "South Carolina has been devastated by NAFTA and trade deals," Edwards said.
Obama responded by criticized Edwards for voting for permanent trade relations with China and struck out at Clinton for saying last year that NAFTA has been boon to the economy. "I think it's been devastating," Obama said.
Howie P.S: I don't have cable and I can't get the CNN plug in to play online. Post your comments.Please.
Ben Smith (a Clinton sympathizer in my opinion) is live-blogging.
Barack Obama
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