Hillary, Sanders debate turns into war of words

The war of words between the Democrat hopefuls on Thursday is their most contentious presidential debate yet.

She wondered whether his ambitious proposals were viable and accused him of an “artful smear” in suggesting she could be bought by political donations. Sanders fought back repeatedly, questioning Clinton’s progressive credentials and portraying her as a creature of the political establishment in a debate that featured heated exchanges on healthcare, college tuition funding and efforts to rein in Wall Street. 

The intensity reflected a race that has seen Clinton’s once prohibitive lead in polls shrivel against Sanders as the two vie for the Democratic nomination for the Nov. 8 election. One of Clinton’s most forceful remarks came in response to a suggestion by Sanders that she could be influenced by political donations by Wall Street.

“Enough is enough. If you’ve got something to say, say it directly,” she said. Clinton charged that Sanders’ proposal for single-payer universal healthcare coverage would jeopardize Obamacare, calling it “a great mistake,” and said his plans for free college education would be too costly to be realistic. “I can get things done. I’m not making promises I can’t keep,” Clinton said. 

Sanders said he would not dismantle Obamacare but would expand it, pointing to the many other countries that provide universal healthcare. Sanders said his proposal for free tuition at public universities would be paid with a tax on Wall Street speculation. 

Five days before New Hampshire holds the second of the state-by-state presidential nominating contests, opinion polls show Sanders, a U.S. senator from neighbouring Vermont, with a double-digit lead over Clinton after surprising the front-runner by finishing just barely  behind her in Iowa on  Monday.