Replying to a question, she said the president as commander-in-chief makes the policy decision which the armed
forces carry out as they had done admirably in Iraq despite the decision being "wrong". But it is for the commanders to decide the strategy to use and for that the president has to listen to them.
The two firmly said they would stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and talked of building a wider alliance of
nations in the Middle East to achieve that aim. Clinton also spoke about giving a security umbrella so that others in the region do not think in terms of making atomic bombs.
Asked how would they respond if Iran were to attack Israel, Clinton said such an action on the part of Tehran
would "trigger a massive retaliation."
Obama only said that it would be an attack on "our strongest ally in the region" but did not specify what action
would he take he were to become the president.
On Iraq, they agreed that they could not be sure of the consequences if the troops were withdrawn but questioned how long the American forces could continue to fight in Iraq.
Iraqis would know that they do not have a "blank cheque", Clinton said.
In sharp criticism of Bush's policies, they said they would try to work diplomatically to achieve the aims in the
Middle East. While Obama was for talks with all, Clinton was clear that she would not talk with Iranian leadership before groundwork has been done and hinted that she would favour starting dialogue at lower diplomatic level.
The debate organized by ABC television network was the last before primary in Pennsylvania where they would be fighting for 158 delegates. Currently, Obama leads with a count of 1639 delegates to Clinton's 1499. To get a nomination, a candidate needs 2025 delegates and analysts' assessment is that none would get winning number and ultimately super delegates, elected officials, would decide who would take on McCain.
Blaming the economic woes on the Bush administration, both promised not to raise taxes on individual making less than 200,000 dollars. While Clinton favoured exempting tax on incomes up to 250,000 dollars per year, Obama would settle somewhere between 200,000 dollars and 250,000 dollars.
Both said they would take on the oil companies if elected in view of the rising gas prices and even get them investigated for taking undue profits.
Image: Hillary Clinton gets a hug from her daughter Chelsea Clinton at the end of the debate.
Also read: Barack Obama, in his own words
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