I don't think either is an ultimate answer. Both are gateways to reducing emissions.
Why can't we have a hybrid clean diesel? And then eventually electric vehicles?

I hope you get some answers specifically saying which is better. But IMO both are excellent first steps. I might lean towards the hybrid only because it reduces the US's dependence on foreign oil. If there were a hybrid diesel that would be the way to go. Although remember that increased pressure on diesel is likely to raise the price of diesel and make it just as expensive to run.
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In the U.S., I pick the hybrid. The technology is solid and, when gasoline is needed, the price is better than diesel and somewhat more available. I have a friend who's been driving a Prius for five years now, and there are no complaints. City driving is especially rewarding, as braking "contributes" to the power supply and increases the MPG. Given today's driving environment (congestion being the norm), the hybrid delivers more than enough power.
If we were in Europe, I would be arguing the clean diesel standpoint. They've been making some amazingly sporty, fuel efficient (50+ mpg) turbo diesel for years now, none of which are imported to the U.S. If there's one thing that hybrids lack, it's flash.
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"clean" diesel is just a marketing ploy. Hybrid at least has it half right, using clean energy (electrical) to power the car part of the time. We are being sold a bill of goods on "clean diesel" and "biodiesel" - which, by the way, is about 10% "bio" and 90% diesel. Don't be taken in by good marketing verbiage. "whereas diesels are about "20 percent cleaner when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions," they are dirtier when it comes to other emissions such as nitrous oxide." "the level of invisible ultra-fine nano-particles of less than 0.1 micrometer in diameter rose more than several tens of thousands of times." Diesel engines still put out PM (particulate matter); they're just smaller, so you don't see the tell-tale black smoke emissions ...
Source(s):
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/is-clean-diesel-good.php
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-12/04/content_7270403.htm

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