Staff Writer
Responding to the resignation of Cuban president Fidel Castro, Clinton, addressing the night's opening question, said it "gives Cuba a chance to change direction."
"If Cuba moves toward democracy and toward freedom for its people, the United States would welcome that," she said, after saying she would not meet immediately with Cuba's presumed new leader, Raul Castro, only after "it demonstrated" change in direction.
Obama disagreed, restating his position that he would be willing to meet without preconditions, adding, "I think it's important for the United States to not just talk to its friends, but its enemies."
"We've got to restore a sense of fairness and responsibility," Obama said of the economy as he was reminded by one of the moderators it was a primary concern of voters.
The debate also featured sharp disagreement and contention between the candidates. Regarding the charge the Clinton campaign made about Obama allegedly plagiarizing speeches, Clinton said: "Lifting whole passages from someone else's speeches is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox."
Clinton was showered with boos, and Obama mumbled under his breath as she made the allegation.
The candidates largely agreed on many issues throughout the first half of the debate, including their approaches to immigration reform.
"We are a nation of laws," Obama said, "and we are a nation of immigration and we can reconcile those two things."
Clinton agreed to allow illegal immigrants to remain in the country as long as they paid fines, back taxes and learned English.
The Texas primaries, which occur the same day as contests in Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont, is on March 4.