Sen. Hillary Clinton campaigned Friday in the all-important suburbs of Philadelphia and picked up on the Obama campaign's criticism of the tough questions and the 'gotcha' tone of Tuesday night's debate in Philadelphia, which was symbolized Thursday when Obama wiped off of his shoulder the imaginary dirt that was left over from the debate.
"That was nothing .I'm with Harry Truman on this. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen," Senator Clinton said.
"It's not enough to hire somebody who can play the game better. We need someone who will put an end to the game playing in Washington," Senator Obama said.
The Obama campaign says that Clinton's "blatant hypocrisy is stunning," considering Senator Clinton's complaints about being ganged up on and singled out for harsh treatment in earlier debates.
The Illinois senator, himself, says it's time to stop playing 'gotcha' games and start talking about solving problems, such as a struggling economy that, according to the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, has made great progress in the Bush years.
"Only somebody who spent two decades in Washington could make a statement as disconnected from the hard times people are facing across America [as that statement was]" Obama said.
The McCain campaign is accusing Obama of distorting the senator's economic remarks for political gain.
For voters that think the presidential race is too serious, consider the fact that both Democratic candidates found time to appear Thursday night on Comedy Central's Colbert Report show.
Senator Clinton poked fun at herself about the feeling that she is too controlling.
"You know what Stephen, your forehead is a little shiny," she said to the show's host, Stephen Colbert.
"You're so prepared for any situation," Colbert said.
" Stephen, I think the American people are tired of these games and petty distractions," Senator Obama told Colbert.
"Speaking for the news media, I can tell you we're not tired of it," Colbert responded.
Obama is making the rounds of the Comedy Central shows. He is scheduled to appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Monday night, the eve of the Pennsylvania primary.He is not making the appearance just for the laughs, which are fun, but also to reach the viewing audience, which includes a lot of the young voters and the affluent professionals that Obama needs in huge numbers to have a chance in Pennsylvania. In that sate, according to the latest Gallup tracking poll, he trails Clinton by three points.
