Democratic heavyweights Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in their first one-on-one debate of the 2008 White House race here Thursday, trading a series of pointed jabs but no knock-out blows.
A star-studded audience at the Kodak Theatre -- home of the Oscars -- was on hand for the eagerly anticipated showdown, notable for its civil tenor and marked lack of the angry histrionics seen in previous encounters.
The face-off between Obama and Clinton was billed as a historic clash between either the first woman challenger for the presidency or the first black candidate, both seeking to build momentum heading into next week's Super Tuesday selection battles when more than 20 states will pick their candidates.
Elsewhere, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain, giving the Republican front-runner another key boost before next week's potentially decisive battles in 22 states.
But all eyes were on Hollywood as Obama and Clinton went toe-to-toe in front of a packed audience that included entertainment industry icons ranging from Steven Spielberg to Stevie Wonder.
Illinois Senator Obama -- seeking to emphasize his campaign theme of change and a break with old-style politics -- opened the debate by describing the forthcoming election as a choice between "the past and the future."
Former First Lady Clinton meanwhile returned to her theme of experience -- indirectly highlighting Obama's perceived lack of it -- by stressing the need for the incoming president to be ready to lead from day one.
The issue of judgement provoked one of the rare flashpoints, with Obama once again drawing attention to Clinton's 2002 vote to support the use of military force in Iraq.
"Senator Clinton has claimed, fairly, 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," Obama said.
But the overwhelming tone was conciliatory, with Obama and Clinton all smiles as the debate ended, warmly congratulating each other.
Obama did not even rule out the possibility of a so-called dream-ticket involving the two. While discounting the talk of prospective running mates as "premature," Obama acknowledged Clinton "would be on anybody's shortlist."
Earlier, there had been differences of opinion on the issues of Iraq and international diplomacy, with one testy exchange on immigration reform.
Clinton took aim at Obama's stated intention to seek talks with the United States' traditional foes, most notably Iran.
"I think that we've got to have a full diplomatic effort, but I don't think the president should ... have meetings without preconditions with five of the worst dictators in the world," Clinton said.
Obama responded by reminding the audience of his opposition to the war in Iraq, adding that the next president would be required to show "the kind of judgment that will ensure that we are using our military power wisely."
With more than 2,500 delegates up for grabs on both the Republican and Democratic sides on February 5, the campaigns are all going into over-drive.
The Democratic race has now been transformed into a straight fight between Obama, 46, and Clinton, 60, and although the former first lady has the edge with four states under her belt to Obama's two, all eyes are on Super Tuesday.
In a boost for Obama, campaign organizers said the Illinois senator, seeking to be the first black president, had raked in some 32 million dollars in funds in January alone.
But a spokesman for Clinton dismissed the figures, saying what counted was whether people voted for the New York senator.
"Fundraising is one of the most important markers in the lead up to voting. But once people start voting, that's a more important measure of a campaign's success," Jay Carson said.
Both Obama and Clinton also have to look beyond the primaries to their possible Republican opponent in the November election, with the formidable McCain now favored to earn his party's nomination.
Schwarzenegger's backing for McCain came after former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani quit the race late Wednesday and threw his support behind the Arizona senator, his long-time pal.
Analysts said Schwarzenegger's endorsement gives the 71-year-old senator's campaign an aura of inevitability.
"An endorsement like this helps to create the impression that McCain is building up unstoppable momentum, that he is the clear front-runner," University of Southern California analyst Sherry Bebitch-Jeffe told AFP.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is still promising to give McCain a run for his money, and the two clashed repeatedly late Wednesday in a heated televised debated at the Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles.
Obama, Clinton exchange jabs as Arnie backs McCain
Romney, McCain: Tight race As Fla. votes
John McCain and Mitt Romney made final-hour appeals to vote for them — and not the other guy — as Florida Republicans cast ballots Tuesday in a pivotal primary.
"I'm feeling good. Endorsements matter," McCain said, standing alongside his chief supporter in the state, Gov. Charlie Crist, at a waterside St. Petersburg polling station.
As voting began, the four-term Arizona senator kept up his weeklong criticism of Romney's economic record as a one-term Massachusetts governor. But, he said: "The real key, I think, here in Florida is who can keep America safe. Who is it that has got the experience and background and knowledge to take on the challenge of radical Islamic extremism? Governor Romney has no experience there."
Romney was greeting voters elsewhere.
"If you want somebody who understands how Washington works, you can elect the other guy. But if you want somebody who understands how America works, elect me and our team," Romney said in a direct appeal to Floridians at an airport hanger in Jacksonville on Monday night.
"This thing is this close," he said, holding two fingers an inch or so apart. "It's very, very close. And the difference tomorrow is going to be that we have people across Florida who are working to get their friends to go vote."
Florida's primary could solidify one of the two as the GOP front-runner; each hopes a Florida win will provide a burst of energy heading into the virtual national primary next week. The Tuesday contest offers the winner the state's 57 delegates to GOP nominating convention and serves as a gateway to the 20-plus states with nominating contests on Feb. 5.
Voting began at 7 a.m. EST, but more than a million ballots had already been cast, either through the early voting that began Jan. 14 or in absentee ballots returned by mail. A proposed state constitutional amendment on property taxes on the ballot could boost turnout.
McCain and Romney hammered each other on the economy and national security all week; critical phone calls, negative radio ads, and bitter, personal exchanges marked the final days before the primary.
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor who has lost six straight contests, is seeking a win to remain a viable candidate. But he is far behind in the polls, and a poor showing could force him to abandon his bid. Also lagging is Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who hasn't won since the Iowa caucuses nearly a month ago and hardly competed in Florida.
The contest is so tight between McCain and Romney that just about any factor could tip the balance.
More so than his rival, Romney has a get-out-the-vote effort as well as early and absentee voting programs. He's spent considerable time and money in the state in the past year. The recent focus on the economy works in his favor; he's been pushing his private-sector credentials and arguing that he's the most capable to turn the country away from the brink of recession.
Conversely, McCain is backed by Florida's top two Republican elected officials, Sen. Mel Martinez and Crist, and has endorsements from a slew of Florida newspapers. The former Vietnam prisoner of war also has universal name recognition, as well as ownership of an issue important to the large number of veterans and active military in the state — national security.
Terri Rose, 50, a Republican voting in Neptune Beach, said she cast her ballot for McCain.
"I think he would be the best on the security issues," Rose said.
McCain is expected to do well in areas with a strong military presence — Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tampa. He's also hoping for a strong turnout in Miami, with its heavy Cuban-American population, and Orlando, a melting pot. Romney is fighting for the southwest part of the state around Fort Myers and Sarasota; it's much like the Midwest, where he was raised. Another likely stronghold, Palm Beach and Broward County, home to many Northeastern transplants.
Up for grabs is the corridor along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Daytona Beach, a swing area that has seen much growth and is home to roughly two-thirds of the Republican primary vote.
Romney, McCain battle for Fla. votes
Republican Mitt Romney sought to lock up the Florida primary by refusing to talk Sunday about little else but the economic jitters confronting the nation. His rivals took different tacks toward the same goal as they fanned out across the Sunshine State.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, lashed top rival John McCain for admitting less familiarity with the economy than foreign affairs, telling an earsplitting rally outside Miami: "No one needs to give me a briefing on the economy. I won't need to choose a vice president that understands the economy — because I know the economy."
A day after McCain accused him of supporting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, Romney also told a reporter McCain was "lying" before catching himself and saying, "I'm saying he made a dishonest comment. I misspoke."
McCain defended himself at a town hall meeting in Polk City when a questioner challenged the Arizona senator's votes in 2001 and 2003 against Bush administration tax cuts. McCain now says those tax cuts should be made permanent.
"I opposed the tax cuts because I saw no restraint in the growth of spending. We let spending get out of control," said the self-styled maverick.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani contrasted himself with the two in both style and substance.
"Senator McCain and Governor Romney are doing such a good job of attacking each other, how about voting for somebody who's not attacking? Vote for me, Rudy Giuliani," he said while visiting the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. "Presidential election is not about name-calling. Presidential election is not about gotcha and almost, like, high school politics."
In Vero Beach, he said: "I've traveled up and down the state of Florida, talked to a lot of people and listened to you. That's why I support a national catastrophe fund. I'm the only Republican candidate in this race supporting it — and I need your vote in order to accomplish it."
Polls show McCain and Romney atop the field, with Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee lagging. At stake Tuesday are 57 delegates to the national convention, and momentum heading into the Super Tuesday contests, when more than 20 states hold nominating events on Feb. 5.
Romney held only one public event, a rally in a Cuban-American community. Introduced by his son Craig, who spoke Spanish, the former governor wore Cuban-style guayabera shirt given to him by officials at a Bay of Pigs Museum.
He recalled starting his venture capital firm with support from Latin Americans, including a family from El Salvador whose son was kidnapped and killed by rebels thought to be supported by Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
"I learned that when Castro has money, bad things happen, and I vowed that I would never give in to Fidel Castro, nor must we ever," he said to cheers.
As he shook hands after the rally, Romney asked, "Why are there so many beautiful women here? I haven't figured this out. Cuban-American woman are gorgeous."
A C-Span camera crew also caught him saying of McCain "he's lying," before changing his wording and then returning to the reporter who had asked him about McCain's criticism on Saturday. "Make sure you correct that, OK?" Romney said.
McCain made one stop with Gov. Charlie Crist, a fellow Republican who endorsed him Saturday night. They greeted diners at a Tampa cafe.
"I think it's going to give us momentum in order for us to win next Tuesday," McCain said of Crist's backing.
He later campaigned with Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who endorsed him Friday, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee who is now an independent.
The Vietnam veteran also told reporters Iraq is the most important issue facing the nation.
"Even if the economy is the, quote, number one issue, the real issue will remain America's security," McCain said. "And if they choose to say, `Look, I do not need this guy, because he's not as good on home loan mortgages,' or whatever it is, I understand about that, I will accept that verdict. I am running because of the transcendental challenge of the 21st century, which is radical Islamic extremism."
Before hitting Florida's streets, Romney, McCain, Giuliani and Huckabee took advantage of the free media available to them on the Sunday morning talk shows.
Huckabee said he was not surprised by former President Clinton's aggressive tone toward Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in recent weeks. Obama ended up routing Clinton's wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, in South Carolina's Democratic primary on Saturday.
"There are not two people who are better at street-fighting politics that Bill and Hillary Clinton. I've been telling people a long time, don't underestimate the scrappiness with which they'll approach this race," said Huckabee, who grew up in Bill Clinton's hometown of Hope, Ark.
The former governor added: "The one thing you have to keep your eyes on is that tactics will change but the goal will never, ever fade. That is: win, whatever it takes to do it. They didn't get to where they are ... by just sort of mapping out a plan and saying, `That's what we're going to do, regardless of the results.' If the results start changing, as they did in South Carolina, look for different tactics. They'll do what they think it will require in order to win."
Giuliani, who appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation," acknowledged being surprised by Crist's endorsement of McCain. He also deflected a question about whether he would drop out if he loses Florida, since he previously had said the winner would become the Republican nominee.
"We're going to win in Florida," Giuliani said, laughing. "We have been campaigning here very steadily since the early voting began. There's been an unprecedented, I believe, amount of early voting, so, I think we're going to do very well here."
Florida governor endorses McCain
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed a beaming Sen. John McCain on Saturday night, delivering a boost three days before the state's pivotal primary.
Crist praised McCain as a "true American hero." At a county GOP dinner in St. Petersburg, Crist added, "After thinking about it as much as I have, I don't think anybody would do better than the man who stands next to me, Sen. John McCain."
It was the second high-profile endorsement in as many days for McCain, who is locked in a tight primary race with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Crist stepped to the podium a little more than 24 hours after Sen. Mel Martinez announced he was backing his colleague in the Senate. Officials said Martinez, who campaigned Saturday with McCain, had prodded the governor to follow his lead.
Crist said he would campaign for McCain in the coming days. "I just feel in my heart he's the right man for the job at the right time," he told reporters afterward.
The winner of next week's primary will capture all 57 delegates at stake, a large prize that will set the stage for a virtual nationwide primary on Feb. 5.
Crist's endorsement was sought by all the GOP presidential rivals, including Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
McCain said the nod "means a lot in this race."
"I'm honored and privileged," McCain told reporters. "And I intend to work very closely with him on the issues. We've got to provide home insurance for every person who lives in the path of a hurricane. We are going to have to work together to save the Everglades and other great environmental treasures of this state."
He quipped: "We will continue to compete for both baseball spring training and for tourism."
McCain does not support a national catastrophic insurance fund for Florida and other hurricane-prone states, instead saying he could bring industry and government together to protect homeowners. Crist does support a national fund.
It's unclear what effect the two endorsements will have on McCain's candidacy.
At the very least, the nods of Florida's two top Republican elected officials could serve to validate McCain's candidacy with the GOP establishment and counteract the fears among some that he would not be a loyal Republican while in the Oval Office.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in an e-mail to the Associated Press, said: "I respect the governor's decision but Republican voters will determine who they want among very fine candidates. I look forward to working for our party's nominee in the general election."
Bush has not endorsed a candidate but many of his allies and aides have backed Romney.
Crist, a popular first-term governor, had suggested he would stay out of the multi-candidate GOP primary, and played coy about his preferences for a year. He met with all the serious contenders, and appeared with some at events.
McCain campaigned for Crist during his 2006 campaign for governor, endorsing him before the primary and appearing with him the day before the election, when Crist opted not to appear with President Bush at a Pensacola rally.
Giuliani also campaigned with Crist, and Romney delivered a $1 million check as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
While Crist has met with other Republican candidates in his office, he took an extra step last spring by introducing McCain at a fundraiser held a few blocks from the Capitol. During a debate last fall, when Crist introduced the Republican candidates, he warmly embraced McCain while shaking the hands of his rivals.
Crist has been seen as a moderate Republican. He has championed efforts to curb climate change, and was praised by former President Clinton for his efforts to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences.
He also pushed for a law that requires a paper trail in state elections, a measure that bans the electronic voting machines his predecessor, Gov. Jeb Bush, sought after the 2000 presidential election. That election ended in a hotly contested recount, which President Bush won by 537 votes.
