Candidates on the defensive

In their first debate in seven weeks, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama weren't so much scoring king hits on each other, as clarifying recent controversial comments.

Obama has been under heavy criticism from Clinton and Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Both have called him elitist and out of touch for saying small town America was clinging to religion and guns in bitterness over their economic troubles.

SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, U.S. Presidential candidate, saying (English):

"The problem that we have in our politics, which is fairly typical is that you take one person's statement if it is not properly phrased and you just beat it to death. And that's what Senator Clinton has been doing over the last four days, and I understand that. That is politics. And I expect to have to go through this process. But I do think it's important to recognize that it's not helping that person who is sitting at the kitchen table who is trying to figure out how to pay the bills at the end of the month."

the Clinton campaign has been hit hard after she inaccurately said she had come under sniper fire when she arrived in Bosnia 12 years ago.

She apologised for that, but tried to keep the pressure on Obama.

SOUNDBITE: Hillary Clinton, U.S. Presidential candidate, saying (English):

"I know Senator Obama is a good man and I respect him greatly, but I think this is an issue that certainly the Republicans will be raising, and it goes to this larger set of concerns about how we are going to run against John McCain. I wish the Republicans would apologize for the disaster of the Bush-Cheney years and not run anybody, and say it's time for the Democrats to go back into the White House."

Next week the candidates go to the Pennsylvania primary.

Clinton has a small, dwindling lead in polls there, and must score a strong win to stay in the Democratic race.

Andrew Potter, Reuters

out of touch
1. not informed about something. The report shows that the committee is out of touch with recent developments in space technology.

2. not reflecting what is true or actual. These statistics are wildly out of touch with reality and cannot be used. Everything the patient says shows how much he is out of touch.

3. lacking a connection. The writing in this story is out of touch, like an accident report or a doctor's notes.

cling intr.v. clung, cling·ing, clings

1. To hold fast or adhere to something, as by grasping, sticking, embracing, or entwining: clung to the rope to keep from falling; fabrics that cling to the body.

2. To remain close; resist separation: We clung together in the storm.

3. To remain emotionally attached; hold on: clinging to outdated customs.

dwin·dle

v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles

v.intr.

To become gradually less until little remains.

v.tr.

To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease.