Transcript of Debate: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Los Angeles, January 31, 2008

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Wolf Blitzer, Moderator
Jeanne Cummings, Moderator
Doyle McManus, Moderator

BLITZER: Let's begin with Senator Obama.
OBAMA: Wolf, thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. Thank you.
First of all, first of all, I want to acknowledge a candidate who left the race this week, John Edwards, who did such an outstanding job...
(APPLAUSE)
... elevating the issues of poverty and the plight of working families all across the country. And we wish him and Elizabeth well. He's going to be a voice for this party and for this country for many years to come. I also want to note something that you noted at the beginning, which is that, when we started off, we had eight candidates on this stage. We now are down to two after 17 debates.
And, you know, it is a testimony to the Democratic Party and it is a testimony to this country that we have the opportunity to make history, because I think one of us two will end up being the next president of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
And I also want to note that I was friends with Hillary Clinton before we started this campaign; I will be friends with Hillary Clinton after this campaign is over.
(APPLAUSE)
She has done -- she's run a -- we're running a competitive race, but it's because we both love this country, and we believe deeply in the issues that are at stake. I believe we're at a defining moment in our history. Our nation is at war; our planet is in peril. Families all across the country are struggling with everything from back-breaking health care costs to trying to stay in their homes. And at this moment, the question is: How do we take the country in a new direction? How do we get past the divisions that have prevented us from solving these problems year after year after year? I don't think the choice is between black and white or it's about gender or religion. I don't think it's about young or old. I think what is at stake right now is whether we are looking backwards or we are looking forwards. I think it is the past versus the future.