Clinton, Obama Spar Over Issues At Dinner Party

Clinton, Obama Spar Over Issues At Dinner Party
February 17, 2008

As both Democratic candidates look ahead to Tuesday's contests, they sparred over the issues at a party dinner Saturday night.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama gave back-to-back speeches at the Founder's Day Dinner in Milwaukee. Speaking first, Clinton accused Obama of copying some of her economic plans.

And she said Obama has no plan for universal health care. She also renewed her call for Obama to meet her in a debate before Tuesday's primary in the state.

Obama told the crowd any uninsured American who wanted health care would have it. He also said Clinton's criticisms undermine people's trust in politicians.

Clinton and Obama both stayed clear of the Sunday morning talk shows, where their campaigns took center stage.

Senator Chuck Schumer was on "Meet the Press." He says despite recent momentum favoring Obama, New York's other Senator won't leave the race anytime soon.

"Don't count Hillary Clinton out because she is one fighter,” said Schumer. “She has tremendous knowledge, tremendous experience, and I think when you look at it, Barack is a great candidate, but Hillary by her experience is the better candidates and the better president."

Schumer added he hopes to see his party unite behind the eventual nominee whether it is Obama or Clinton.

On the Republican side, former President George Bush will formally endorse John McCain Monday. McCain picked up 50 delegates from Michigan and Louisiana.

At least 32 of Louisiana's 47 delegates say they intend to vote for McCain at the national convention. And Michigan Republicans say most of their delegates will support McCain now that Mitt Romney has dropped out of the contest. This gives McCain about 903 delegates of the 1192 delegates are needed to secure the nomination.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee remains in the race but far behind in the delegate count. He trails with 245 delegates.

Sunday morning, McCain said he's not counting Huckabee out of the race just yet either.

Appearing on ABC News' "This Week," McCain also spoke on the economy. He says there's a long list of things that can be done to improve the country's financial outlook, with cutting back on spending near the top of that list.

He blasted his opponents for supporting spending, which he says has only served to weaken the public's confidence in the economy.

"The American people see their tax dollars being frittered away in away in wasteful and unnecessary spending, which by the, Senator Obama has engaged in heavily and Senator Clinton has engaged in heavily,” said McCain.

Some moves he suggested are lowering interest rates and reducing corporate tax rates which he says are the second highest in the world.