Clinton-ObamaDuring the "YouTube" debate on Monday night, Democrats generally made themselves look good, particularly in playing off their collective agreement with the priorities of the American people and their strong disagreement with the unpopular and disastrous policies of the Bush Administration.

When they were asked whether they'd be willing to meet in the first year with leaders of countries with whom the Bush Administration has at various times refused to negotiate, Senators Obama and Clinton both gave acceptable answers. Their answers differed, but only because there were different pieces of the question that each chose to respond to, and the answers weren't mutually exclusive. They should have left it there, but unfortunately, their respective campaigns -- with Clinton firing first but Obama following quickly behind -- manufactured an artificial debate about what neither candidate actually said. And by last night, both candidates and their advisors looked like idiots.

Senator Obama indicated that America should not refuse to talk to our adversaries, drawing a contrast between what virtually all Democrats believe and the obstinacy and failures of the Bush Adminstration. Point for Obama.

Senator Clinton stated that she would not promise to meet with all of the listed foreign leaders in the first year. She didn't refuse to meet ever, but she clarified that such meetings should occur only after careful preparation and that a President should not enter such talks under conditions that might be exploited. Point for Clinton.

Two good answers, not mutually exclusive, and together even better. If the candidates had just left it there, the American people could have walked away from the exchange reassured that the Democratic Party had candidates who understood the value of talking and the value of preparation, both positions consistent with each other and both implicit criticisms of the Bush Administration's history of diplomatic failures. But neither candidate could leave it alone.

Instead, we've been treated to a growing display of ambition and campaign stupidity, in which the campaigns have manufactured a dispute that never had to be. Last night, both campaigns sent their spokesmen onto CNN and Hardball, and both managed to make their respective candidates seem petty and silly -- Clinton for her insincere charge of inexperience, Obama for the silliness of his comparing Clinton with Bush on this point, then Clinton for the arrogance and condescension of Wolfson's response and finally Obama for the incoherence of his advisor's reply. Nice going guys. And the point of this was demonstrate how wise the two of you are in talking to adversaries?

The country desperately needs grown up leadership, people who can rise above the massive incompetence and duplicity of the current Administration, who can talk straight to the American people and draw a strong contrast between the irresponsibility of the Bush/Cheney regime and the responsible leadership Democrats are prepared to offer. Having the Democratic front runners and those around them look like jerks is not the way to win the voters, help the Party and earn the Presidency. And don't start with the "he said, she said" stuff. The lot of you need to get serious.

Photo: AP photo via CNN