Democratic rivals back Clinton on emails, but little else in scrappy debate
- 9 years ago
With a smile and a handshake, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton secured unexpected support from chief rival Bernie Sanders over an email scandal during their first debate, helping to defuse an issue that has dogged her campaign.
Sanders, a 74-year-old U.S. senator from Vermont came to her rescue on Tuesday night as Clinton, 67, said she wanted to focus on more pressing policy issues when questioned about a private email server she used as U.S. secretary of state.
Shortly after that moment of warmth, however, Clinton and Sanders clashed over their views about Wall Street, capitalism, gun control, and U.S. policy on Syria in a surprisingly feisty first debate between candidates who have largely steered clear of criticizing each other on the campaign trail.
Clinton said the United States needed to do more than focus its fire on big banks.
"We have work to do.
You'll get no argument from me.
But I know if we don't come in with a very tough and comprehensive approach, like the plan I'm recommending, we're going to be behind instead of ahead," she said.
Sanders, a 74-year-old U.S. senator from Vermont came to her rescue on Tuesday night as Clinton, 67, said she wanted to focus on more pressing policy issues when questioned about a private email server she used as U.S. secretary of state.
Shortly after that moment of warmth, however, Clinton and Sanders clashed over their views about Wall Street, capitalism, gun control, and U.S. policy on Syria in a surprisingly feisty first debate between candidates who have largely steered clear of criticizing each other on the campaign trail.
Clinton said the United States needed to do more than focus its fire on big banks.
"We have work to do.
You'll get no argument from me.
But I know if we don't come in with a very tough and comprehensive approach, like the plan I'm recommending, we're going to be behind instead of ahead," she said.