Five presidential hopefuls took the stage in Las Vegas on Tuesday at the first Democratic debate.
Underdogs like former Republican Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee tried to stand out, assuring voters that he is “built like a block of granite when it comes to the issues” and touting his ethics. But it was clear that all eyes were on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her increasingly formidable opponent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The debate proved to be more subdued than its GOP counterpart, yet managed to reveal subtle divides within the party.
After seeing her support and aura of inevitability wither away in the wake of several alleged scandals and the rise of self-proclaimed socialist Sanders, Clinton set out to defend her record.
Clinton acknowledged the use of a private email server while secretary of state, conceding that “it was a mistake.”
“Let me say something that may not be great politics, but I think the secretary is right ... the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn e-mails,” Sanders said, coming to his opponent’s defense.
Shifting the debate toward policy, Sanders began highlighting his disagreements with Clinton on college tuition, the regulation of large banks and marijuana legalization.
“This is the year 2015,” Sanders said. “A college degree today ... is the equivalent of what a high school degree was 50 years ago. And what we said 50 years ago and a hundred years ago is that every kid in this country should be able to get a high school education regardless of the income of their family. I think we have to say that is true for everybody going to college.”
Sanders said he would pay for his program with tougher regulations on Wall Street.
Clinton was skeptical.
“Maybe it’s because I worked when I went through college ... I think it’s important for everybody to have some part of getting this accomplished,” Clinton said. “I would like students to work 10 hours a week.”
Others expressed concern that Sander’s plans are too radical for the GOP-controlled U.S. House and Senate.
“Bernie, I don’t think a revolution’s going to come, and I don’t think the Congress is going to pay for a lot of this stuff,” former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb said.
Sanders remained undeterred.
“The only way we can get things done is by having millions of people coming together,” Sanders said. “If we want free tuition at public colleges and universities, millions of young people are going to have to demand it, and give the Republicans an offer they can't refuse.”
