Clinton Versus Sanders: Why Tonight’s Democratic Debate May Be The Fiercest One Yet
The NFC playoff game isn’t the only rumble going on in the Carolinas tonight, because tensions are expected to reach an all-time boiling point between Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former New York Senator, Hillary Clinton (D-NY).
The Democratic debate airs tonight at 9 p.m. EST, and the stage is set in Charleston, South Carolina. The polls between Clinton and Sanders have recently tightened between the two rivals, with Clinton up 8.6 percent, according to Real Clear Politics’ recent poll numbers.
The two leading Democratic candidates have been known to actually defend one another through personal attacks. For instance, when Sanders blasted Trump for making derogatory comments about Hillary using the bathroom while the debate went on a commercial.
Despite that, Reuters predicts that tensions recent transgressions will fuel a fiery Democratic debate tonight, with the primaries about a month away. This debate will also be their last face-to-face encounter until Iowa kicks off the presidential nominating race in two weeks.
Clinton and Sanders have already gotten more divisive in their discussions on guns, healthcare, and Wall Street with growing intensity. And although Hillary still has the lead on a lot of stances, Sanders is slowly creeping from behind in key states.
Another significant talking point will be foreign policy. Clinton, Sanders, and O’Malley will discuss it — however, unlike the Republican debate last Thursday, the Democratic candidates will most likely have to answer questions about Saturday’s prisoner deal announced by the United States and Iran.
As the Huffington Post reports, a Swiss plane carrying American citizens — including Washington Post reporter Ali Rezain — were released from a prison in Tehran, Iran. The prisoners being freed was part of a series of secret negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
The GOP has already expressed their dissent on the negotiation immediately after praising the American’s release.
The Iran deal is terrible. Why didn't we get the uranium stockpile – it was sent to Russia. #SOTU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2016
In Iran deal we get 4 prisoners. They get $150 billion, 7 most wanted and many off watch list. This will create great incentive for others!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2016
The Huffington Post also reports that Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) was also among one of the GOP candidates to criticize the deal. The Florida senator pressed hard on this issue since last year when he led 21 other senators to negotiate a deal with Iran to release prisoners without agreeing to any extenuating conditions with Iran.
The consensus among the GOP is that showing any margin for compromise will make the U.S. look weak. There are surely many Americans citizens who feel this way, as well.
Therefore, Clinton and Sanders will almost certainly have to address this and many other conflicting bi-partisan issues. Yet, that doesn’t deter the two democrats from clashing against each other.
More recently, Time reports that Clinton has hounded Sanders about voting in favor of lawsuit immunity for gun manufacturers in the past.
Sanders counter has attacked by criticizing Democrats who take money from Wall Street are not really democrats in an ad — a side-eyed remark with the subject of his subtext allegedly being Clinton — at least, that’s what the New York Times reports how her campaign team took it.
Do you think that Sander’s ad was an “attack?”
Clinton and Sanders have made a pact not air negative ads against her and vice versa. Sander’s recent ad may have broken this agreement.
Clinton and Sanders seem to be fired up about the campaign. Tune in or stream it tonight at 9 p.m. eastern to see if the dynamic between the two will change. Martin O’Malley will be there also.
[Image via Getty Images and YouTube]
