Clinton, Obama engage in bitter debate

Clinton, Obama and Edwards
Democratic presidential hopefuls N. Y. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ill. Sen. Barack Obama and former N. C. Sen. John Edwards wave at the start of the Democratic Presidential Primary Debate hosted by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images

Issues and acrimony -- and even a few boos from the audience during the latest debate between Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

At one point Senator Clinton said 'We're just getting warmed up."

Clinton and Obama accused the other of repeatedly and deliberately distorting the truth for political gain on a debate that ranged from the war in Iraq to Bill Clinton's role in the campaign.

Obama told the former first lady he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when she was "a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart." Moments later, Clinton accused Obama, a lawyer, of once representing a "slum landlord."

Obama seemed irritated at former President Clinton, whom he accused of uttering a series of distortions. Clinton responded "I'm here. He's not." He countered that he can't tell whom he's running against sometimes.

When Clinton accused Obama of never taking "responsibility for any vote," she drew loud boos.

Edwards, who badly trails his two rivals, tried to stay above the fray while pleading for equal time.

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