DURHAM, N.H. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton went on the assault early in opposition to rival Bernie Sanders in their first one-on-one debate on Thursday, wondering whether his proposals had been possible and saying it changed into unfair to question her liberal credentials.
Five days earlier than New Hampshire holds the second of the kingdom-by using-state presidential nominating contests, the depth of the tightening race became contemplated within the sharp exchanges between Clinton and Sanders on healthcare, college affordability and efforts to rein in Wall road.
Clinton stated Sanders' concept for single-payer widespread healthcare coverage would jeopardize Obamacare, calling it "a tremendous mistake," and she stated his plans at no cost college training could be too luxurious to be practical.
"i'm able to get things performed. I am no longer making guarantees I can not hold," Clinton said.
Sanders said he might not dismantle Obamacare however could extend it, pointing to how many other countries provide well-known healthcare.
"with the aid of shifting ahead, rallying the american human beings, I do believe we have to have healthcare for all," he stated.
Sanders stated his idea for free training at public universities would be paid with a tax on Wall street speculation. "The center class bailed out Wall avenue of their time of need. Now, it's far Wall road's time to assist the center elegance," he stated.
Polls show Sanders, a U.S. Senator from neighboring Vermont, has a double-digit lead over Clinton in New Hampshire after sudden the the front-runner by means of completing just barely at the back of her within the kickoff contest in Iowa on Monday.
Given that then, the Democrats have clashed sharply over who's extra capable of sporting out the party's proposals to conflict income inequality, bolster healthcare coverage and modify Wall street.
The exchanges had intensified in advance of the talk, the first in view that former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley dropped out on Monday night time. It's far considered one of 4 debates Clinton and Sanders agreed to add to the schedule on the long street to the Nov. Eight presidential election.
Sanders criticized Clinton as being too at ease with Wall street, noting her notable % had taken contributions from Wall road companies and that Clinton has taken speaking prices from Goldman Sachs.
Clinton known as that an "clever smear" and stated she had never changed a view or a vote because of her donations.
Clinton has tried to minimize expectancies for her performance in New Hampshire, in which she got here from in the back of for an upset victory within the 2008 campaign simply days after dropping badly to Barack Obama in Iowa.
The distinctly robust overall performance through Sanders in Iowa is likely to prolong a race that Clinton entered as the prohibitive favored.
Similarly to previously scheduled debates in Wisconsin and Florida, the applicants delivered one in March in Flint, Michigan, to draw interest to the metropolis's infected water crisis beforehand of the Michigan number one. They also will debate in April and might.
(additional reporting through Alana sensible, Megan Cassella; Writing by means of John Whitesides; editing by way of bill Trott and Leslie Adler)