[KellyB]

The old electability question — The questions are stale, the talking points ingrained. But on the eve of Super Tuesday, the top-tier presidential candidates needed to say it all again before voters head to the polls in 22 states.

The two Democratic candidates on Sunday pinned their final arguments to the question of electability.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton argued that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has never survived a grueling, mudslinging campaign. (Clinton, for the record, considers the current nominating contest “cordial” and “civil.”)

Meanwhile, Obama continued pushing the point that Clinton represents the same partisan squabbling that has dominated national politics for the better part of two decades.

“It’s not so much about him, as it is about me,” Clinton said on ABC’s “This Week.” “I have been through these Republican attacks over and over and over again. I believe that I’ve demonstrated that, much to the dismay of the Republicans, I not only can survive but thrive.”

The former first lady pointed out that Obama faced an irrelevant Republican (Alan Keyes) during his 2004 Senate campaign and hinted that the Illinois senator might struggle to overcome the GOP’s well-oiled attack machine.

In a taped appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Obama acknowledged Republicans would subject him to those attacks. But he argued his appeal is far broader than Clinton’s.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that Republicans consider her a polarizing figure,” Obama said. “I can get some votes that Sen. Clinton cannot get. That broadens the political map. I think it bodes well for the election. But, more importantly, it bodes well for our ability to govern.”

The cost of universal health care — Lest we gloss over The Issues, Clinton defended herself from attacks by the Obama campaign that her universal health care proposal would be a financial burden for lower- or middle-income Americans who can’t afford it. She has made her drive for universal health care an implied attack on Obama, whose own plan is less expansive.

Despite her criticism, the New York senator was forced to concede that her plan would include enforcement mechanisms to ensure that almost every eligible American enrolls.

The Democrats’ GOP nominee — Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumed front-runner in the Republican race for the White House, needs a lot more delegates to mint that status with an actual nomination. But that hasn’t stopped the two Democrats from attacking him as if he’s the GOP standard-bearer.

“John and I will have a respectful debate, but we do have serious differences,” Clinton said on “Fox News Sunday” during a brief split-screen interview with McCain, citing their separate strategies in Iraq.

On CBS, Obama said, “There is going to be a sharp contrast between an Obama candidacy and a John McCain candidacy.” And this from the “post-partisan” candidate.

The Arizona Republican, for his part, relished their attention.

“I’m always pleased to have so much attention” from the Democratic contenders, McCain said on “Face the Nation.” “I think we will have very respectful, but very sharp, differences.”

McCain hinted that the animus had something to do with his ability to compete for votes in states traditionally dominated by Democrats. “I will be campaigning for every single state in America, if I win the nomination,” he said.

Of course, it might also have something to do with refocusing on the GOP after both Democrats were criticized for below-the-belt sniping leading up to the South Carolina primary.

McCain also expressed confidence he could unite disparate wings of the party, citing endorsements by members of the conservative establishment such as Steve Forbes, Jack Kemp and Phil Gramm.

As if to mollify some of his naysayers, he also promised during both his appearances Sunday to veto any legislation Congress approves that would raise taxes.

He was less explicit about the Supreme Court, saying, “I wouldn’t pose any litmus test” in response to a question about whether he would nominate a justice who may overturn the campaign finance laws he helped write.

And, of course, there’s that pesky immigration issue …

The Super Bowl — And lest we forget (to pander), the candidates were more forthcoming about their picks for the big game.

McCain, who is set to appear at a rally Monday in Massachusetts, said he won’t pick against the New England Patriots until another team beats them (which no one has), welcome words to Bay State voters.

Clinton, of course, had to pick her home state New York Giants (even though they play in New Jersey), tying the Giants’ fate somewhat to her own on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping the New York team wins both nights and wins big,” Clinton said.

Obama would say only that the game will provide him — and everyone else — a nice respite from the campaign.

“For at least three hours, you’re not going to see much politics going on,” said Obama, a big sports buff who once said his guilty pleasure was watching ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

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[emily_3383]

Im excited to vote. My sisters and I are going this Tuesday!