WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton suggested Barack Obama was not prepared to handle a global crisis in a debate last night that offered one of her last chances before next week's must-win primaries.

They faced off in a debate at Cleveland State University.

She portrayed Obama as a national security novice and said Americans can be assured she would not need a "foreign policy instruction manual" to keep the country safe.

She also compared him to President George W Bush.

Obama, meanwhile, put in something of a good word for Clinton at an Ohio campaign stop, saying voters should support Democrats, because "myself or Senator Clinton, we're all concerned about creating a better social safety net".

Former Democratic presidential candidate and superdelegate Chris Dodd yesterday endorsed Barack Obama.