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Clinton and Obama share rare moment of civility in debate

US Democrat presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama struck a rare note of civility in their White House battle, uniting to observe that history was in the air as the Democrats vie to seize back the presidency.

A star-studded audience at the Kodak Theatre -- home of the Oscars -- was on hand late on Thursday for their first one-on-one debate, but the drama and backbiting seen in previous encounters was replaced by a polite exchange of policy priorities.

Elsewhere, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain, giving the Republican front-runner another boost before the "Super Tuesday" battles in 22 states.

Clinton said that while she and Obama may differ on healthcare, economic remedies and how to handle unsavory foreign regimes, what united them was far greater -- a shared desire to boot the Republicans out of the White House.

"Just by looking at us, you can tell we are not more of the same," she said, noting the extraordinary prospect of the first African-American, or first woman, becoming commander-in-chief of the world's sole superpower.

Obama -- emphasizing his campaign theme of breaking with the old order of politics -- described the election as a choice between "the past and the future."

Clinton returned to her theme of experience -- indirectly highlighting Obama's perceived lack of it.

She said that on inauguration day next Jan. 20, either she or Obama would be sworn in as the successor to President George W. Bush.

"And then, when the celebrations are over, the next president will walk into the Oval Office, and waiting there will be a stack of problems, problems inherited from a failed administration," she said, citing Iraq and the economy.

In front of a packed audience that included entertainment icons ranging from film director Steven Spielberg to singer Stevie Wonder, Obama and Clinton went head to head.

Both took pains to praise former North Carolina senator John Edwards, who dropped out of the race on Wednesday -- mindful that his supporters are searching for a new candidate. But they also praised one another.
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