Even though Hillary Clinton had a defensive approach, it wasn’t enough, as her main rival, Bernie Sanders, didn’t seem like White House material; although when it came to domestic issues, the debate became more animated, with Sanders and O’Malley criticizing Clinton’s proposals.
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Sanders said he was “shocked and disgusted” by the Paris attacks, and vowed the US would lead the global effort to “rid our planet of this marvelous organization called ISIS”.
Clinton, a former secretary of state and first lady, emphasized that the IS is the “main” terrorist threat and “must be destroyed”, and she noted that next year’s elections will not only be about electing a president but also a “commander in chief”. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said Monday it was “outrageous” to suggest she was trying to politicize the 9/11 attacks and people were trying to “make political mischief” with her remarks. “She did so early and often”.
“I’m sorry that whoever tweeted that had that impression, because I worked closely with New Yorkers after 9/11 for my entire first term to rebuild”, she replied. But the common thread between the two events is that while politicians of both parties have talking points and outlines, they have few specific policies to take on the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria. But I like what you do. I like how you stand up. “And if we do not get our act together and listen to what the scientists say, you’re going to see countries all over the world, they’re going to be struggling over limited amounts of water, limited amounts of land to grow their crops”, he said.
All three agreed that wealthy citizens and corporations should pay more in taxes to benefit the middle class. They tangled over how high to increase the minimum wage, with Clinton backing a $12-per-hour federal floor while Sanders and O’Malley said $15 an hour – the rate being pushed by a campaign of fast-food workers and labor unions.
Three-quarters of the debate watchers surveyed said that they had the most faith in Clinton on national security issues.
It was a discussion that Mrs Clinton as former secretary of state should have aced but she didn’t. In the post-debate “spin room”, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley told reporters, “I’ll let her answer that gaffe”. “I don’t believe we need to scrap capitalism and replace it with socialism, as Sen”.
“I thought that moment, frankly, was pretty shameful”, O’Malley said. “I’m going to be independent”.
Wall Street: Clinton’s biggest liability?
Amid the backdrop of global anxiety over last Friday’s attacks in Paris, Mrs Clinton found herself fending off questions about not only her foreign policy record but her economic ties.
Clinton has always been from the more hawkish wing of the Democratic Party. I don’t think we’re at war with all Muslims.
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Clinton shot back, accusing Sanders of “impugning my integrity”. Clinton faced criticism from Sanders on her closeness with the banks, which she responded to by saying that her time as New York’s senator forced her to build those relationships.
