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Clinton takes shots at Obama in Texas showdown

BY GLENN THRUSH AND ERIK GERMAN | glenn.thrush@newsday.com
erik.german@newsday.com

February 22, 2008

AUSTIN, Texas - Hillary Rodham Clinton took her shots at Barack Obama Thursday night in Texas -- but it was her bittersweet closing statement recognizing the struggles of ordinary Americans that elicited the most positive response she's had in any debate.

"You know, the hits I've taken in life are nothing compared to what goes on every single day in the lives of people across our country," said Clinton, who has lost 11 consecutive primaries or caucuses to a surging Obama.

"Whatever happens, we're going to be fine," she said, gesturing to the Illinois senator seated next to her at the University of Texas. "I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that's what this election should be about."

When she finished, the audience gave her a standing ovation that took many, including Obama, by surprise.

Many observers predicted Clinton would use the CNN/Univision debate to attack Obama in hopes of halting a surge that led him to a 17-point victory in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary.

She has lost 11 straight primaries or caucuses since Feb. 5, counting yesterday's loss among Americans living abroad. She lags badly behind Obama in fundraising and has dropped into a statistical dead heat with him in make-or-break Texas, a state she recently led by double digits.

After a sedate opening 45 minutes, Clinton ridiculed Obama for lifting phrases from speeches made by his ally Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

"If your candidacy is going to be about words, then they should be your own words," she said to a smattering of boos. "Lifting whole passages from someone else's speeches is not change you can believe in; it's change you can Xerox."

An angry Obama tried to interrupt and later called the comments "silly," adding, "What we shouldn't be doing is tearing each other down, we should be lifting the country up."

But if her supporters wanted red-meat attacks they had to make due with green-tea civilities. Toward the end of the 100-minute debate, she reached across the table to embrace her opponent's arm, saying, "I am honored to be here with Barack Obama -- I am absolutely honored."

Their most substantial policy disagreements came on health care and on the future of U.S.- Cuba relations in light of Fidel Castro's retirement this week.

Clinton said she would refuse to talk directly with new president Raul Castro until he institutes reforms. Obama would meet "without preconditions," but said he would press Castro on human rights.

Clinton, who trails Obama by about 90 delegates, needs big wins in Texas and Ohio March 4 to remain competitive.

Clinton attacked Obama on the issue of experience earlier in the day during a visit to the predominantly Mexican-American town of Laredo.

"Who do you want to have in the White House answering the phone at 3 o'clock in the morning when some crisis breaks out around the world?" she asked.

Obama, speaking during the debate, accused Clinton of underestimating the depth and durability of his support.

"Sen. Clinton of late has said 'Let's get real.' The implication is that the people who have been voting for me or involved in my campaign are somehow delusional," he said, "that somehow they're being duped and that eventually they're going to see the reality of things. Well, I think they perceive reality of what's going on in Washington very clearly."

At the end of the night both candidates were asked to name the moment that tested them most.

Clinton spoke about a visit to a San Antonio rehabilitation center for wounded veterans.

"People often ask me ... 'How do you keep going?'" she said. "And I just have to shake my head in wonderment, because with all of the challenges that I've had, they are nothing compared to what I see happening in the lives of Americans every single day."

Moments later, Obama adviser David Axelrod accused Clinton of stealing the line from a Bill Clinton ad.

"Saying 'Whatever hits I've taken are nothing like the hits the American people have taken,' I'm paraphrasing, but that was of course a direct lift from a Bill Clinton campaign commercial in 1992," Axelrod said. "It was a good line then, it was a good line now."

German reported from Austin, Thrush from Washington

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Clinton takes shots at Obama in Texas showdown

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NEWS QUIZ

Which Democrat would do better against McCain?

Which Democrat has a better chance to beat John McCain?
Hillary Clinton Barack Obama Neither of them will win a general election. Either of them will beat McCain.

View current results

The Hofstra debate redux

Your initial thought on the debate?
John McCain won Barack Obama won Fascinating display of politics Longest 90 minutes of my life Didn't watch it

View current results

Vote: Election 2008

At this moment of the campaign, who will you vote for in the 2008 presidential election?
John McCain Barack Obama

View current results