Elizabeth Edwards likes Hillary Clinton’s health care plan.

John Edwards doesn’t much care for Clinton’s “old politics.”

So goes the his-and-her debate in the Edwards household.

Their home state of North Carolina takes center stage today in the tense, ongoing Democratic presidental nomination fight between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, and two of its most famous voters aren’t tipping their hands.

In their first joint interview since John Edwards dropped out of the race, the couple was asked what they liked and disliked about the two remaining Democrats.

Elizabeth Edwards didn’t hesitate: “I like Hillary’s health care plan.”

John and Elizabeth Edwards in North Carolina.

What doesn’t she like about the U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady? “The lobbyist money,” she said.

On Barack Obama, she says: “The fact that he has motivated so many young people to be involved, I think is fantastic.” But, she adds: “I don’t like his health care plan or his advertising on health care, which I think is misleading.”

Her husband, who got yet another phone call from Obama as recently as last week - both Clinton and Obama have heavily courted the Edwards’ endorsement - weighed in on what he feels are the pros and cons.

On Clinton: “I like something different about Hillary. I think her tenacity shows a real strength that’s inside her.”

What doesn’t he like about Hillary Clinton? “Um, still a lot of the old politics,” John Edwards said.

As for Barack Obama, he says: “Sometimes I want to see more substance under the rhetoric.”

But he cited two things he likes about the charismatic young senator from Illinois: “One is, I think he really does want to bring about serious change and a different way of doing things. And secondly, I think it’s a great symbolic thing to have an African-American who could be president.”

At that, Elizabeth Edwards rolled her eyes and, gripping the arms of her kitchen chair with some exaggeration, seemed about to lunge out of her seat:

“What about the great symbolic thing about a woman …”

“It’s important. It’s important,” her husband said. “I know it.”

Bottom line: John and Elizabeth Edwards say they will not endorse either of the remaining candidates, saving their political capital for their causes - his, fighting poverty; hers, fighting for universal health care.