LOS ANGELES , California ( CNN ) -- Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spent their last debate before next week 's Super Tuesday contests pointing out differences on Iraq , health care and the economy -- but without all of the finger-pointing that 's marked their campaigns . Sens . Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton struck a mostly cordial tone during the debate . The exchange was in sharp contrast to previous debates because of the absence of political sniping , yet was one of the most substantive policy discussions yet in the race for the nomination . On Iraq , Obama said he 'd be more able to end the war because he opposed it from the beginning . He said Clinton 's vote to authorize the use of force there would undermine her efforts to bring it to an end . `` I think it is much easier for us to have the argument when we have a nominee who says , ' I always thought this was a bad idea -- this was a bad strategy , ' `` he said . Clinton defended her vote , saying she was told by the White House that it would be used initially to return weapons inspectors to see whether Saddam Hussein had an active weapons program . See where they stand on Iraq . `` I believe strongly that we needed to put inspectors in , '' the New York senator said . `` That was the underlying reason why I at least voted to give President Bush the authority , put those inspectors in , let them do their work , figure out what is there and what is n't . '' Watch reaction to Clinton 's thoughts on Iraq » . Both Obama and Clinton said they support ending the war . On health care , Obama defended a plan he says would make insurance affordable to everyone who wants it , but not require everyone to buy it . The Illinois senator said his proposal would require that all children be covered and allow young people to remain on their parents ' health insurance up to age 25 -- but would not require adults to purchase care . Watch candidates discuss their differences » . `` Every expert who looks at it says there wo n't be anybody out there who wants health care who will not be able to get it , '' he said . Watch the rivals discuss health care » . Clinton , who as first lady spearheaded her husband 's ultimately failed health care reform effort in the early '90s , argued that any health plan should offer universal coverage . `` It is so important that as Democrats , we carry the banner of universal health care , '' she said . See where the candidates stand on health care . Clinton noted her experience pushing her husband 's plan , saying she 's best suited to hammer out the details of a new plan and create `` a coalition that can withstand the insurance and the prescription drug companies . '' The pair praised former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards , who dropped out of the Democratic race this week . Both are vying for his supporters . See what the candidates had to say , in their own words » . The Democratic race remains close going into Super Tuesday , when more than 20 states -- including California and New York -- will vote . Obama won the season-opening Iowa caucuses , then finished second to Clinton in every contest until last week 's South Carolina primary -- which he won with a commanding 55 percent of the vote in a three-way race . Clinton scored victories in the New Hampshire primary and Nevada caucuses . She also was the top vote-getter in Florida and Michigan , although no Democrats campaigned in those states and their delegates to the nominating convention will not count because of a squabble between state and national party leaders over the timing of the primaries . Thursday 's debate differed from the last time the two took to a stage together -- at a contentious January 21 debate in South Carolina in which the front-runners peppered each other with sharp attacks . In contrast , on Thursday the two smiled , laughed at each other 's jokes and repeatedly complimented the other when they agreed . What does the debate 's cordial tone mean ? » . Obama got laughs when asked about how he might counter Republican charges against `` tax-and-spend liberal Democrats . '' `` Well , first of all , I do n't think the Republicans are going to be in a real strong position to argue fiscal responsibility , when they have added $ 4 trillion or $ 5 trillion worth of national debt . I am happy to have that argument , '' he said . Clinton drew cheers when she responded to a question about how a Clinton could promote change after decades of a Clinton or Bush in power . `` It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush , and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush , '' she said . Watch Clinton make a jab at Bush » . The longest and loudest applause line of the night came when CNN 's Wolf Blitzer noted that many Democrats have said they 'd like to see a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket in November . Neither ruled out the possibility of selecting the other as a running mate . Watch the rivals discuss joining forces » . `` The debate was a rallying debate for Democrats , '' said CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider . `` Democrats like both of them , they continue to like both of them , and they want to vote for both of them . '' Schneider said the cordial tone probably helped both candidates . Obama continued momentum from his victory in the South Carolina primary and high-profile endorsements , including Sen. Ted Kennedy and Kansas Gov . Kathleen Sebelius . Clinton probably maintained her perceived status as the front-runner . `` I 'm not sure that he turned the election around , '' Schneider said . `` He is the challenger here -- he 's got to persuade people they do n't want to vote for her . '' The debate , sponsored by CNN , the Los Angeles Times and Politico.com , was held at Los Angeles ' Kodak Theatre , where the Academy Awards are handed out . Hundreds , if not thousands , of Clinton and Obama supporters thronged outside the venue -- cheering and waving signs . The numerous actors , directors and musicians in the audience included Stevie Wonder , Pierce Brosnan , Rob Reiner , Jason Alexander , Isaiah Washington , Diane Keaton , Leonardo DiCaprio , Quentin Tarantino and Christina Applegate . Mike Gravel , the other Democratic presidential candidate still in the race , was not invited to participate in the debate because he did not meet certain criteria , including support in national polls . In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted January 14-17 , Gravel received less than 1 percent . E-mail to a friend .
Debate focuses on health care , Iraq , economy . Clinton , Obama keep it cordial , draw comparisons to ex-Sen. John Edwards . Clinton pushes experience , Obama pushes judgment . Comment: