ORANGEBURG, S.C.—Minutes before the start of the first 2008 Democratic presidential debate, White House hopefuls Barack Obama, (sipping from a bottle of water) mingled with Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Then they took their places behind the podiums.
Debate moderator NBC anchor Brian Williamson just asked the audience to hold their applause when he introduces the candidates. Said Williamson, he hoped “we are all on speaking terms at the end of 90 minutes”
Questions during the 90-minute debate, with no commercials, will come from Williamson and from e-mails from viewers.
The debate just started.