Obama and Hillary go one on one

Tonight’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is taking place in the Kodak theatre, the traditional venue for the Oscars, but one feels that a boxing ring might be more appropriate. With only two candidates on stage there is nothing to defuse the tension or stop the situation from escalating. Add to that, the fact that there is little love lost between the two of them and it seems that fireworks are guaranteed.

The question is which candidate goes on the attack first; neither will want to look like the one going negative. But the moderators are sure to provoke a brawl. Obama needs to find a way to attack Hillary without looking mean or arousing sympathy for her, something he has so far failed to do. He needs to find the debate equivalent of the more in sorrow than in anger tone that he used in his South Carolina victory speech.