12th Feb 2016 06:27
WASHINGTON (Alliance News) - Former secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to regain the upper hand over rival Bernie Sanders in the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination during a debate late Thursday that saw the candidates agree more often than disagree.
Sanders, a senator from Vermont and self-identified democratic socialist, sought to expand his political appeal to minority voters who make up a larger share of the electorate in upcoming votes in Nevada and South Carolina, after securing a large victory over Clinton in the predominantly white state of New Hampshire on Tuesday.
"We are fighting for every vote that we can get from women, from men, straight, gay, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans," Sanders said. "We are trying to bring America together around an agenda that works for working families and the middle class."
Clinton has strong support from African-American and Hispanic voters, and earlier Thursday had secured the endorsement of a group of black lawmakers, including civil rights leader John Lewis.
The candidates largely agreed on major issues, with Clinton noting they were in "vigorous agreement," but quibbled over how best to achieve their goals on immigration, health care, criminal justice reform and other issues.
Clinton argued that she was in a better position to enact policies, and knocked Sanders for what she portrayed as his singular focus on the influence of money in politics, while stressing she also agreed with him even as she benefits from large campaign donations.
"I am not a single-issue candidate and I do not believe we live in a single issue country," she said in closing remarks.
Sanders also dismissed criticism that he was attempting to thwart Clinton from a shot at becoming the first woman US president.
"From a historical point of view, somebody with my background, somebody with my views, somebody who has spent his entire life taking on the big money interests, I think a Sanders victory would be of some historical accomplishment, as well," he said.
Clinton frequently pointed to her experience as secretary of state under President Barack Obama, noting she was not running to be the first female president but because she believed she would make the best commander-in-chief.
The state-by-state nominating process to choose major party candidates ahead of November elections next turns to Nevada, where Democrats will hold caucuses on February 20. Republicans will hold their next primaries on the same day in South Carolina.
Copyright dpa