By Pamela Gentry, Senior Poltiical Producer

Posted Jan. 16, 2008 – The Democrats got the message and came to the debate in Las Vegas last night on their best behavior. 

The two-hour debate allowed the candidates adequate time to impress voters with their message and expound on their leadership style without personal attacks.  Those were saved for President Bush.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) acknowledged the problems in the past week over her civil rights comments and by her supporters and moved quickly away from race to the topic of  her leadership qualities.  “I think what’s critical is what’s at stake in this election,” she said.  “I think it’s appropriate on Dr. King’s birthday to recognize that all of us are here as a result of what he did.”

 
Obama wanted to put the topic to rest as well. “Race has always been an issue in politics in this country, but one of the premises of my campaign … is that we can’t solve these challenges unless we can come together as a people and not fall into the same traps as we have in the past,” he said.

Throughout the debate, regardless of the topic, Clinton stayed locked on her message of “leadership and experience,” while Sen. Barack Obama trumpeted “change and bringing people together.”  Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards positioned himself as a passionate “fighter” for the American people. 

On Tuesday, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told reporters he had talked to the Clinton, Obama and a representative of the Edwards campaign and encouraged all of them to get back to the issues of the Democratic Party, and stop this discussion on “race and gender.” 

After the opening round, that’s what happened. The candidates were asked about a variety of issues, including their plans for troop withdrawals from Iraq, the economy and alternative fuel options.

While there were slight differences in their approaches, they all agreed Republican and President Bush’s positions on these issues were not acceptable. 

During the debate the tally for the returns from the Michigan primary were on the bottom of the screen.  The Republican victor was former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a critical win for him, having placed second in Iowa and New Hampshire. 

Sen. John McCain landed in second place this time, trailed by former Arkansan Gov. Mike Huckabee. 

Because of a tiff a between the Michigan Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, the Dems didn’t participate in the state’s primary.

We’ll have to wait and see how long the Democratic truce lasts.  Going into the debate, Obama had a slight lead over Hillary Clinton, according to a Reno Gazette-Journal poll of 500 folks.  It found likely caucus goers favoring Obama 32 percent, to Clinton’s 30 percent and Edwards 27 percent.  With a margin of error 4.5 percent, this race is too close to call.

We may see the gloves come off again.