In response, Obama said that he had no doubt that the Republicans would "unleash a furious campaign" against him if he won the nomination. "What I think I've shown in these primaries is I can take a punch. I've taken a couple of pretty good ones from Senator Clinton," he remarked.
However, both were unable to articulate a clear position on possession of guns especially deadly types which are not needed for hunting.
In an apparent effort not to annoy either gun lobby or those who want control in view of mounting incidents of violence in schools, colleges and streets, both said they would defend the right to bear arms as it is provided in the Constitution but at the same time ensure that criminals are not able to lay their hands on it.
But they never made it clear how they plan to do that.
Clinton also went full force against Obama for his remarks that people in small towns cling to guns and religion at bad economic times.
But Obama, seeking to appear above personal attacks, did not respond equally critically when asked about Clinton's honesty in view of her inaccurate remarks about coming under sniper fire when she went to Bosnia.
"The problem that we have with out politics, which is fairly typical, is that you take a person's statement, if it is not properly phrased, and you just beat to death and that's what Senator Clinton is doing," he said.
Clinton, who has admitted that she "misspoke" on her Bosnia trip after television aired the footage showing that there was no sniper fire, said, both of them have said some things which turned to be inaccurate during the past 15 months of campaign.
Explaining that she had written in her book about the Bosnia episode, where she went as first lady, and there was no gunfire there. "I may be a lot of things but I am not dumb," she said, admitting that she was embarrassed by her error.
"I'm sorry that I said that," she added. This is first time
she had said "sorry" for the mistake.
Asked whether she has been truthful as candidate, Obama said, "Senator Clinton has a strong record to run on. She wouldn't be here if she did not."
"For us, to be obsessed with these kinds of errors, I think, is a mistake," he said.
Both Clinton and Obama asserted that they would stand by their commitment to begin removing combat troops from Iraq shortly after election and try to build a wider security alliance in the region.
Obama said his policy would also take into account the rising al-Qaeda actives in Pakistan and Afghanistan while pulling troops off Iraq.
But Clinton was more cautious in the reply, stressing that while her decision to pull off troops is firm, she would
listen to the advice of field commanders on the tactics of withdrawing the soldiers and equipment which is complicated logistically.
She would ask the commanders to give a timetable within 60 days on the withdrawal.
Image: US Democratic presidential candidates Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton arrive for the debate.
Also read: Is this the next First Lady of the United States?
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