Clinton, Obama spar over immigration, health

LOS ANGELES — Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton sparred, for the most part cordially, over immigration, health care and the war in Iraq in their first one-on-one debate on Thursday as they faced high-stakes Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses that could go a long way toward determining the party's presidential nominee.

Clinton emphasized that the nation needed a president ready to go to work on "Day One."

Obama responded: "Senator Clinton, I think fairly, has claimed that she's got the experience on Day One. And part of the argument that I'm making in this campaign is that it is important to be right on Day One."

Just five days before Super Tuesday, the two alternated between addressing each other with civility and pointed swipes, underscoring the importance of the upcoming contests.

A national tracking poll by Gallup taken Monday through Wednesday showed Clinton's lead over Obama eroding to a statistically insignificant 43 percent to 39 percent — essentially, a tie.

The debate came on the day Obama's campaign reported raising a staggering $32 million in January, cash aplenty to advertise all through the nearly 2 dozen upcoming races from coast to coast — and contests beyond.

Clinton's campaign reported raising $26.8 million from October through December, the most recent period that she reported.

Clinton defended the increasingly high-profile role of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, in her campaign and his recent sharp criticism of Obama.

Responding to a question on how could she control him in the White House if she couldn't on the campaign trail, Clinton said, "At the end of the day, it's my name that's on the ballot. ... It's a lonely job in the White House."

Both candidates were asked about the possibility of a "dream ticket" of Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton.

"Obviously there's a big difference between those two," Obama said. "I respect Senator Clinton, I think her service to this country is extraordinary." But he said, "We've got a lot more road to travel" before such a decision.

Clinton agreed it was too early to discuss.

Making amends for his apparent snub of her at Monday's State of the Union Address, Obama assisted Clinton by pulling back her chair both as the debate, televised on CNN, began and ended. They then embraced.

But is wasn't all sweetness and light.