Whatever else comes out of this historic and strange presidential nomination process, no one can argue that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ducked debating one another. In fact, the debate in Pennsylvania Wednesday marked the 21st debate of this campaign for the two Democratic party rivals.

Although many times in the past, so-called experts claimed that one debate or the other was likely to be the deciding factor in which one–Clinton or Obama–would end up with the nomination, the debate tonight probably is the only one that actually may live up to that prediction.

It was THE debate before the all important Pennsylvania primary on the 22nd. If Clinton doesn’t win that one, and win it big, it will be over for her and Obama will go on to claim the nomination. An impressive win by Clinton, however, just may reverse the tide of superdelegate defections to Obama, and convince them that Clinton is the stronger candidate against John McCain.

Yes, Yes, Yes—A Thousand Times Yes!

Asked whether she thought that Obama could win against McCain in a general election, Clinton finally admitted he could—”Yes,yes,yes,” she said in response.

Obama said that should Clinton win the party’s nomination, he thought she, too, could end up winning the White House in the fall.

Perhaps, the most interesting and important answer

Despite denials and trial balloons and a host of other things, it still appears as if a joint Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket is the best way to make the most number of Democratic party members happy as well as give the party its best chance to win against McCain and whomever he selects as his running mate.

And, that is why the responses from both candidates during tonight’s debate to the question of whether they would select the other as a running mate may turn out to have been the most important answer of the entire debate.

They both sidestepped the question, as the Associated Press reports.

“I think very highly of Senator Clinton’s record, but I think it is premature at this point to talk about who the vice presidential candidates will be because we’re still trying to determine who the nominee will be,” said Obama about Clinton.

“I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make sure that one of us takes the oath of office next January. I think that has to be the overriding goal,” said Clinton when asked about Obama as a Veep-mate.

I still think Obama has made a deal with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson that he will be picked for the number two spot in exchange for the support he threw Obama’s way recently, thus turning his back on Hillary Clinton.

But, in politics, knowing how and when to knife someone in the back–even someone close–is an essential ingredient for being a successful presidential candidate.

So, would Obama turn his back on Richardson if he thought Clinton on the ticket would propel him to the Oval Office?  What do you think?

And, would Clinton break any promises she may have made to others if she thought a ticket with Obama on it would give her a speed pass to the White House? Of course she would…and will.