It’s the final countdown for Clinton and Obama

CLINTON vs Obama is how the Pennsylvania primary debate was billed last week, capturing the pugilism of the race as the candidates gear up for Tuesday’s possible make or break vote in the Keystone State.

For six weeks pundits have watched the bitter battle push and pull its way through scandal and gaffe only to settle back at an uneasy equilibrium, with no clear victor in sight.

Senator Barack Obama seems to have survived the backlash from Jeremiah Wright, his controversial former pastor. Wright’s soaring sermons included statements that 9/11 was America’s “chicken’s coming home to roost” and “God damn America”. Rather than throw the pastor under the bus, Obama tackled the race issue head on in what is considered the only historic speech of this campaign.