 "Hillary Clinton")
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders squared off in the first Democratic Presidential debate on October 13.
The debate covered a range of topics, including gun control, the American health care system, foreign policy issues and prevailing controversies. Here’s a look at the main points of the debate:
What they said
“I’m a progressive, but I’m a progressive who likes to get things done,” said Clinton early on in the debate. As the topic of gun control was brought up, Clinton said Sanders was “not at all” tough enough on the issue. “This has gone on too long, and it’s time the entire country stood up against the NRA,” Clinton said. Sanders, however, said: “We can raise our voices, but I come from a rural state, and the views on gun control in rural states are different from those in urban states, whether we like it or not.”
Dealing with the topic of the 2012 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Clinton said: “Unless you believe the United States should not send diplomats to any place that is dangerous, which I do not, when we send them forth, there is always the potential for danger and risk.”
The controversy over Clinton’s use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State also came up during the debate. Clinton described the Congressional investigation into the matter as a “partisan vehicle” meant to damage her poll ratings. To this, Sanders said: “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your ‘damn’ emails.”
On the topic of regulating Wall Street and big business, Sanders said: “In my view, Secretary Clinton, Congress does not regulate Wall Street; Wall Street regulates Congress... We have got to break off these banks. Going to them and saying, ‘please do the right thing’ is kind of naive,” he added.
Media reactions
According to a New York Times report, Clinton’s dominant performance showcased her political arsenal. Clinton brought with her a long record of appearances in Presidential debates, intense and diligent preparation, and a nimbleness and humour largely lacking in her male counterparts.
A BBC report found Sanders’ impassioned rhetoric somewhat out of place at times. The same report found Clinton to be the more polished of the two.
USuncut.com appeared to be one of the dissenting voices. Citing social media and online polls, its report listed six reasons why Bernie Sanders had won the debate.
