February 22, 2008 Obama, Clinton debate ahead of delegate-rich March 4th primaries Play video

(NECN/ABC) - Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spent most of Thursday night's debate in agreement on policy, but at odds over who would make a better president. The tension grew when Obama was asked whether he plagiarized portions of his signature speeches.

Obama: "The notion that I had plagiarized from somebody who was one of my national co-chairs, who gave me the line and suggested that I use it, I think, is silly."

Clinton: "Lifting whole passages from someone else's speeches is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox."

But, at the close, she offered an olive branch, even extending her hand.

Clinton: "And, you know, no matter what happens in this contest -- and I am honored, I am honored to be here with Barack Obama."

Was that an acceptance of possible defeat? No, she told ABC's Diane Sawyer she still intends to win.

Clinton: "We've had so many advantages and blessings in life, and I just think it's time that, you know, we pulled together as a country and made sure everybody had the same opportunities that certainly I was given."

On the Republican side, John McCain is moving on and focusing again on his Democratic rivals, after reports surfaced that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female lobbyist.

McCain: "Clinton and Obama were wrong when they said the surge wouldn't succeed."

With his nomination virtually assured, John McCain is working one step ahead of the Democrats. He's

campaigning in Midwestern states that don't necessarily have upcoming primaries, but will be critical battlegrounds in the general election.

ABC reporter Yunji de Nies has more.