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Democrats meet in crucial debate Democrats meet in crucial debate
(29 minutes later)
The two main Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have begun a debate by attacking each other's campaign tactics.The two main Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have begun a debate by attacking each other's campaign tactics.
The two have also been outlining their healthcare policies, with each saying they stand for universal healthcare.The two have also been outlining their healthcare policies, with each saying they stand for universal healthcare.
It is their final face-to-face encounter before next week's crucial primaries in Ohio and Texas.It is their final face-to-face encounter before next week's crucial primaries in Ohio and Texas.
Mr Obama is regarded as the front-runner, after winning the previous 11 primaries and caucuses.Mr Obama is regarded as the front-runner, after winning the previous 11 primaries and caucuses.
Analysts say Mrs Clinton needs big wins in both states to stay in the race to choose the Democratic candidate. Analysts say Mrs Clinton needs big wins in both states to stay in the race to choose the Democratic candidate at the national nominating convention in August.
Blame game
In the opening minutes of the televised debate in Cleveland, Ohio, the two traded polite but pointed remarks about their campaign tactics and their healthcare plans.
Accusations of dirty tricks and negative campaigning have dogged the past week of the nomination race.
Mr Obama sought to draw a line under the appearance of a controversial photograph of him wearing traditional Somali robes during a visit to Kenya in 2006.
What Obama's robes meanJustin Webb's America
He said he believed Mrs Clinton when she said she did not know where the photo had come from.
But mutual accusations of negative tactics soon resurfaced again.
The two blamed each other for spreading misinformation about the other's promised policies. Both insisted they stood for universal healthcare, and that the other's programme would leave some people without cover.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama went on to say that they would both seek to renegotiate the North America Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) with Canada and Mexico, under threat of opting out of the seven-year-old pact.
Accusations tradedAccusations traded
The contest between the two Democratic front-runners has become increasingly heated in recent days.The contest between the two Democratic front-runners has become increasingly heated in recent days.
Mr Obama's team has accused the Clinton camp of releasing a photo showing Mr Obama wearing traditional Somali robes during a visit to Kenya in 2006.
At their debate in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr Obama drew a line under the controversy, saying he believed Mrs Clinton when she said she did not know where the photo had come from.
In a debate last week, Mrs Clinton accused Mr Obama of political plagiarism - a reference to his apparent copying of a supporter's rhetoric.In a debate last week, Mrs Clinton accused Mr Obama of political plagiarism - a reference to his apparent copying of a supporter's rhetoric.
What Obama's robes meanJustin Webb's America
Mrs Clinton now needs to win a majority of the delegates in the remaining state primaries and caucuses to stay in the race to choose the Democratic candidate for November's presidential election.Mrs Clinton now needs to win a majority of the delegates in the remaining state primaries and caucuses to stay in the race to choose the Democratic candidate for November's presidential election.
Ohio and Texas, both big states, are being seen as must wins for her.Ohio and Texas, both big states, are being seen as must wins for her.
Several polls suggest Mr Obama is gaining ground in both Texas and Ohio. The Illinois senator is leading in Texas for the first time, with 50% compared to 46% for Mrs Clinton, according to a CNN poll.Several polls suggest Mr Obama is gaining ground in both Texas and Ohio. The Illinois senator is leading in Texas for the first time, with 50% compared to 46% for Mrs Clinton, according to a CNN poll.
On Tuesday, Mr Obama won endorsement from a former rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Christopher Dodd.On Tuesday, Mr Obama won endorsement from a former rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Christopher Dodd.
On the Republican side, front-runner John McCain has also been campaigning in Ohio, as the party prepares to hold its own primary in the state, also on 4 March.On the Republican side, front-runner John McCain has also been campaigning in Ohio, as the party prepares to hold its own primary in the state, also on 4 March.