Sanders and Clinton pushed some controversial agendas for small business as they battle for the Democratic nomination.
As Hilary Clinton’s once-impressive lead over Bernie Sanders vanishes, both candidates took the offensive to win the Democratic nomination. At the Democratic town hall forum at Drake University on Jan. 25, the candidates had a final chance to demonstrate their credentials to Iowa voters.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the town hall:
Sanders defined democratic socialism and confirmed he will raise taxes.
“What democratic socialism means to me in its essence is that we cannot continue to have a government dominated by the billionaire class and a Congress that continues to work for the interest of the people on top while ignoring working families,” the Vermont senator said. “What this campaign is about, and what I believe, is creating a government that works for all of us—not just a handful of people on the top.”
Chris Cuomo, CNN’s moderator, confronted Sanders’ plan to pay for his universal healthcare and other programs.
“What you’re really asking for is one of the biggest tax hikes in history,” Cuomo said.
Sanders confirmed what most politicians would fear to say: “Yes, we will raise taxes. Yes, we will. But also let us be clear, Chris, because there’s a little bit of disingenuity out there. We may raise taxes, but we are also going to eliminate private health insurance premiums for individuals and for businesses.”
He also “made the vast gap between the rich and poor and the ‘recklessness’ and ‘greed’ of Wall Street the centerpiece of his performance, as he warned that the wealthy would have to pay more in taxes,” reported CNN.
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Clinton once again aligns herself with Obama’s legacy.
Clinton “seized on warm words from President Barack Obama in an interview with Politico released Monday to argue that only she could be trusted to win an election and safeguard his legacy,” CNN wrote.
Clinton added “that only she had been on the front lines of progressive change for decades and uniquely had the multi-tasking skills at home and abroad needed of a president,” the news outlet reported.
“It’s hard,” Clinton said at the town hall. “If it were easy, hey, there wouldn’t be any contest. But it’s not easy. There are very different visions, different values, different forces at work, and you have to have somebody who is a proven fighter—somebody who has taken them on and won, and kept going, and will do that as president.”
However, Sanders argued that experience does not mean Clinton is qualified.
“Experience is important, but judgment is also important,” Sanders said.
“Sanders turned months’ worth of his best Clinton punches into a rapid-fire combination, hitting her on Wall Street, free trade, the Keystone pipeline, Social Security and gun control,” CNN reported.
Who won the town hall? According to a poll by Syracuse.com, 88 percent of voters said Sanders came out on top.
*Note: This news coverage does not equate to an endorsement of any candidate by NFIB.
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