Obama stands out in night of speeches

DES MOINES, Iowa — In the space of an hour this weekend, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, using some of their most pointed and forceful rhetoric of the campaign, framed the choice for Democrats deciding their party's presidential nomination.

Clinton gave a strong speech at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner late Saturday. But Obama, criticized for occasional lackluster performances, delivered one of his most focused and powerful addresses.

In the view of many watching, he emerged as the oratorical winner at the biggest Democratic political event in Iowa before the state's January caucuses.

His candidacy, Obama said, could produce a new Democratic majority capable of breaking the gridlock and polarization that have plagued Washington for a decade or more.

"The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do it in this election," he said.

But front-runner Clinton used the same event to fire back and defend herself as someone who has stood for and with middle-class voters and against Republican policies.

Clinton argued that she has the combination of strength, experience and values that her rivals can't match. "We must nominate a nominee who's been tested and elect a president who is ready to lead on Day One," she said.

Obama and Clinton were at it again Sunday, this time over the future of Social Security. On NBC's "Meet The Press," Obama said again that he would favor raising the cap on payroll taxes. Clinton, campaigning in Waterloo, said she was not yet prepared to endorse that idea.

Iowa's caucuses are 53 days away. While Clinton holds a big lead in national polls, here she, Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards are in a three-way contest.

The Jefferson-Jackson dinner drew an estimated 9,000 activists and has marked a turning point in the battle for Iowa in recent presidential campaigns. Every one of the candidates saw it as an opportunity to gain an advantage as the final weeks of campaigning begin.

For Obama and Clinton, the final two speakers, it was an opportunity to sharpen an argument that has been brewing for weeks.

Edwards, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson also spoke.

Neither Clinton nor Obama mentioned the other by name, but it was clear they were aiming at one another. Obama has accused Clinton of not being clear on the issues.

Her response Saturday was to say, "There are some who will say they don't know where I stand. Well, I think you know better than that. I stand where I have stood for 35 years. I stand with you, and with your children and with every American who needs a fighter in their corner for a better life."

Obama was even more provocative in his rhetoric. To applause, he said, "I am running for president because I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking the only way to look tough on national security is by talking and acting and voting like George Bush Republicans."

Asked Sunday on NBC to whom he was referring, Obama singled out Clinton for a recent vote on Iran and said many Democrats, including Clinton, had supported the 2002 Iraq war resolution.

Before the Saturday dinner, Barbara and Mike Donnelly hadn't been certain which candidate to support in the Democratic caucuses. They left with colorful glow necklaces, handed out by Obama's campaign. "We just think he's a very strong character," said Barbara Donnelly.

Obama's speech "crystallized it for me," said Mike Donnelly.