December 13, 2007
Posted: December 13th, 2007 06:00 PM ET

The candidates largely stayed cordial at the last debate before the Iowa caucuses.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - No slip-ups, no knockdowns, and no knockouts. That pretty sums up the last Democratic debate in Iowa before the January 3 caucuses.

"With three weeks to go, at the last debate before the caucuses, you have never seen six such agreeable people," says CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.

The candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, former Sen. John Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, were more or less in agreement on the economic and trade issues that dominated this debate. When they disagreed, it was over which candidate could best implement the Democratic agenda.

While it was mostly a love fest, Clinton did get in the political shot of the afternoon. The senator from New York said "everybody on this stage has an idea about how to get change. Some believe you get change by demanding it. Some believe you get it by hoping for it. I believe you get it by working hard."

That was an obvious blast at her two top rivals, Obama and Edwards, who have painted Clinton as a Washington insider incapable of implementing change. Clinton argues that her knowledge of how the system works makes her best to bring about change.

"We heard the latest iteration of Clinton's message that she's a Washington insider and an agent for change. It's been a tricky argument to make," says CNN Political Reporter Jessica Yellin, adding "She seemed upbeat and confident today and for Clinton projecting that kind of optimism is as important as what she says."

The other made-for-TV moment was a question to Obama about how he could bring about change, since he has so many Clinton administration advisors in his camp. That brought laughter from Clinton, until Obama responded, "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."

While the debate let voters know where the candidates stand on the issues, it will probably do little to alter the state of the Democratic race here in Iowa. It's still a three-way dog fight between Clinton, Obama and Edwards for the top spot in the polls.

This debate may have been a love fest, but expect the gloves to once again come off in the remaining 21 days until the Iowa caucuses kick off the presidential primary voting.

– CNN Deputy Political Editor Paul Steinhauser

Filed under: Uncategorized


stan pitts pa   December 14th, 2007 7:43 pm ET

Obama said "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."

Another incredibly arrogant statement from this blowhard. If by some huge misguided mistake by democratic primary voters, this creature gets the nomination, I will vote for the GOP candidate. I would rather know that the guy shafting America was from the GOP than having it come from a democrat.

Posted By AJ; Montpelier, VT : December 14, 2007 7:52 am

hey you call obamas response arrongant, what about clintons bullyish, cackling and scary laughter, dont you think its rude, and arrogant to laugh, cackle when someone else is speaking, your response smells of racism! he made a good come back and put her in her place.

tom, ny, ny   December 14th, 2007 7:28 pm ET

"Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well." – Obama.

He smacked Hillary in the face with a bucket of salt. Nice come back.

Posted By Seam, Philly PA : December 14, 2007 8:31 am
_______________________________________

I DON'T THINK IT WAS GOOD COME BACK MORE LIKE REALITY...GUY HAS NO VISION OF HIS OWN SO HE IS GOING TO BE CALLING PLACES...AL GORE, BILL NOW HILLARY...SO WHY DO WE NEED HIM. WE ARE NOT LOOKING PUPPET.

Dr Auriel Combs Provo, UT   December 14th, 2007 12:09 pm ET

The debate was still a little light on substance. Now comes the hand shaking and baby kissing. Instead of a debate let's have a fire side chat. At least it would let them set on their 'podium'.

Dan (Columbia, MD)   December 14th, 2007 11:59 am ET

Obama said "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."

Another incredibly arrogant statement from this blowhard. If by some huge misguided mistake by democratic primary voters, this creature gets the nomination, I will vote for the GOP candidate. I would rather know that the guy shafting America was from the GOP than having it come from a democrat.
Posted By AJ; Montpelier, VT : December 14, 2007 7:52 am

While I may not support his politics anyone that can put Hillary in her place can't be that bad! :-)

It also doesn't hurt that he gives AJ a hissy fit.

Cryston Josiah, St. Louis, MO   December 14th, 2007 11:59 am ET

Come on CNN, your bias towards Hilary Clinton is becoming a little bit too obvious. The shot of the day being her comment about change. Are you kidding us all? Edwards and Obama are the only two frontrunners that speak of true change. If I were Republican I would vote for Huckabee, he represents change for that party. But Hilary talking about change does not make her a believer in change. Feel free to contact me if you need honest reporting, CNN. I hope this email is posted, understanding that I am commenting on something that may rub your editors the wrong way. It's just my opinion.

pam Eugene OR   December 14th, 2007 11:07 am ET

Hillary might have been fairly pleasant during the debate but in the last few weeks she has Hillary at her true best.
Hillary has been responsible for:
A sending emails that Obama is a muslin
B planting questions at her rallies
C staffers saying Obama is drug deal
D going back to Obama's kindergarten records looking for dirt.
She is a bag of dirty tricks and I am sure she has more. The voters are starting to see her for what she is and they don't like what they see. She is the same as Bush or maybe worse.
Any But Clinton 08

Seam, Philly PA   December 14th, 2007 8:31 am ET

"Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well." – Obama.

He smacked Hillary in the face with a bucket of salt. Nice come back.

AJ; Montpelier, VT   December 14th, 2007 7:52 am ET

Obama said "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well."

Another incredibly arrogant statement from this blowhard. If by some huge misguided mistake by democratic primary voters, this creature gets the nomination, I will vote for the GOP candidate. I would rather know that the guy shafting America was from the GOP than having it come from a democrat.

Micah, Canon City, CO   December 14th, 2007 7:46 am ET

I think perhaps my favorite moment was Hillary Clinton emphasizing the importance of a "strong communication strategy" the same day her New Hampshire co-chair resigned over unauthorized libel, and the same week two volunteers were essentially fired (you can fire a volunteer?) for distributing emails calling Obama a Muslim extremist.

Yep, that's a strong communication strategy. Communicates just how unable she is to control her campaign, let alone an administration.

Theo, Manorville, NY   December 14th, 2007 7:44 am ET

Because they were all jockeying to see who was going to step up and become this election's General Custer!!!

John Karsten, Virginia Beach, VA   December 14th, 2007 7:09 am ET

I watched most of the debate and I have to tell you it was very lackluster performance by all. I think most got out their message, but other than that is was pretty boring. Come January, it will get heated. Can't wait until then.

H. Robb Levinsky, Hollywood, Florida   December 14th, 2007 4:04 am ET

First Hillary Clinton sends out surrogates to say Obama is too ambitious because he said he wanted to be President one day when he was in Kindergarten. Then she fires people in her campaign for spreading false rumors that Obama is a Muslim. Then another political operative who supports her in New Hampshire says Obama would be a bad candidate because he used drugs as a teenager. All the time she hides behind these political henchmen, using them to smear an opponent, then backing away from their words and firing them once the damage is done. Does this remind you of anyone? Like Bush I (Willie Horton),Bush II (Swift Boat), and all the dirty tricks we usually see from the Republican Party? I personally don't even support Obama, but now I'm seriously thinking of voting for him just as a protest to this kind of dirt. I always knew the Clintons put the pursuit of power above everything else, but I never thought they would stoop this low. I was never either a Hillary hater or a Hillary lover, and have always intended to support her if she was ultimately the nominee, but i've changed my mind. This kind of politics, from either party, just has to stop. I can't vote for a Republican after all that party has done to destroy our democracy, but if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, i'm writing in someone else, because she isn't getting my vote.

MidniteRyder Middle America   December 14th, 2007 3:15 am ET

Let's all stop and take a deep breath shall we: For the Hillary haters who omniously threaten "I will vote for the GOP before I will ever vote for THAT woman" -vs- the Obama bashers who declare "I will NEVER EVER cast my vote for Obama!" Hmmm are we really positive that we are infact ALL Democrats here????

After weeding out the transparent GOP trolls – Let's get real here peeps: REGARDLESS of whichever candidate finally winds up with the Democratic nomination (however bloodied and battered) IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PICK THEN YOU WILL FOR CERTAIN BE DOOMED TO ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS OF THE GOP IN THE WHITE HOUSE plain and simple!!!

Therefore I suggest y'all stop the childishly idle threats of "withholding your votes or voting Republican" because that makes you even worse than the candidates you are currently brawling over = In other words that means you are NOT A TRUE DEMOCRAT!!

Do y'all even know what the platform is that most Democratic politicans represent?? One of the greatest decisions which will be ultimately decided by the outcome of the 2008 Presidential Election is the future direction of the United States Supreme Court!!! So if YOU share the same view (as the majority) on Pro-Choice then you'd most certainly better get off your duffs and VOTE FOR WHOMEVER'S NAME IS ON THAT FINAL DEMOCRATIC BALLOT!!!

AND y'all better start praying that the more liberal leaning senior Justices can hang on long enough to preserve Roe vs Wade cuz just ONE more "conservative appointment" and womens' rights in America will be set back irreparably.

So PLEASE consider your battles very carefully and save the pitched attacks for the no-holds-barred all out beseiged onslaught which is soon to be launched by the GOP Master Machine JAWS

Leye, Richmond, Va   December 14th, 2007 1:56 am ET

This is the kind of picture we want to be seeing.

erika morgan black dimond wa   December 13th, 2007 10:40 pm ET

It sure was better listening.

Rob, San Francisco, California   December 13th, 2007 10:24 pm ET

Despite her spin denials, Oprah is absolutely supporting Barak Obama because he is half black. That's right, half black. Why isn't there any media mention of the fact that he is half white?

Charles Torkelson   December 13th, 2007 10:02 pm ET

So Biden, Dodd and the GOP debaters Alan Keyes, Hunter and Tancredo get to debate, and Kucinich (who is polling better than any of them) has to sit this one out.

What a sad day for freedom of speech, fairness of the media and political speech.

I hate Iowa.

NO CLINTONS, LA.   December 13th, 2007 9:00 pm ET

SORRY, I CAN'T WRITE NEED TO PUKE!!

NO DEMS,LA.   December 13th, 2007 8:59 pm ET

GEEEZZZ , I NEED A VALIUM!!!

Mike, Houston, TX   December 13th, 2007 8:59 pm ET

This was probably the closet thing to reality of all the democratic debates. Style without substance.

Tom, Farmington MI   December 13th, 2007 8:03 pm ET

Hillary is so great at change we now have National Health Care. Ummm... Ok, Hillary is so great at change she voted with the majority Republicans to rubber stamp the war(s) in Iraq and Iran ... Errrr... Ok, Hillary is so great at change she was able to write a book about Socks, and then one about Buddy!

Oregon   December 13th, 2007 7:39 pm ET

Clinton with the shot of the day?

It's been widely reported all over the news that Barack did incredibly well in this debate, while Hilary suffered and looked tired and scripted.

I'de say the shot of the day was from Obama saying he looked forward to Hilary advising him.

Robert, Shelton, CT   December 13th, 2007 7:31 pm ET

At least they went out with style, these other debates had left a poor taste in my mouth; we'll see what happens after Iowa though what attacks will land.

tired of corruption lv   December 13th, 2007 7:16 pm ET

Clinton's comment on working hard for change was not the best political shot. Because obviously she has not begun working hard yet since nothing ever changes around her.

The best shot was Senator Obama's comeback after clinton so rudely and childishly laughed and made a snide remark to him when asked a question. His comeback was right between the eyes.

Edwards supporter, Seattle, WA   December 13th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

John Edwards did the best in the debate according to Mary Snow's CNN article polling undecided Iowa voters. But it's typical CNN to only quote Obama and Clinton. Edwards is the most electable candidate vs any Republican per CNN's own poll December 11th, yet he is barely mentioned in this article. Edwards is the only candidate who doesn't take corporate money. Please don't let celebrities or CNN decide who gets your vote!

Danny G. Boca Raton, FL   December 13th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

GO HILLARY!
I know you will work very hard to earn every American's trust. this country was founded with the principles of work, working class people are the make up of this great nation, and I could not be prouder of my next vote in the nomination for president I hope you all VOTE! it is your duty as a patriot and as a citizen.

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