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Presidential Democratic Party candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders faced off in the sixth party debate Thursday. It is the first debate since the Iowa Caucus, which Clinton barely won, and New Hampshire primary, in which Sanders secured a big 20-point victory.
Clinton went on the offensive early on in the debate saying Sanders' proposal for a single-payer, Medicare-for-all healthcare plan would mean dismantling Obamacare and triggering another intense political struggle.
Decent debate. Sanders has pulled Clinton to the left. Both did fine, but neither is an obvious winner to me. Thoughts?
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 12, 2016
Sanders reiterated that he would not dismantle Obama’s healthcare program and was instead planning to expand it to a universal healthcare for all citizens.
"We're not going to dismantle anything," Sanders said. "In my view healthcare is a right of all people, not a privilege, and I will fight for that."
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Clinton entered the debate as she faced mounting pressure to gain support among young men and women after a 22-point victory by Sanders on Tuesday in the New Hampshire primary election.
"What our campaign is indicating is that the American people are tired of establishment politics," Sanders said. "They want a political revolution."
Sanders called the campaign finance system corrupt, saying it undermines democracy, "which allows Wall Street millionaires and billionaires to pour money.”
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Answering a question on her weak showing among young men and women in the last two primaries, Clinton said, “I have spent my entire adult life working toward making sure that women are empowered to make their own choices — even if that choice is not to vote for me.”
She added that everyone had the right to support whoever candidate they want, but hoped “the end of this campaign, there will be plenty more supporting me.”
Foreign policy next. If #Bernie does not clean #Hillary's clock on this, he will be another has been. Fight that liar, Bernie! #DemDebate
— Terry O' (@IrishTea1) February 12, 2016
On foreign policy, Sanders admitted that the former secretary of state had more experience dealing with foreign policy, but that judgment was more important pointing to the fact that despite Clinton’s experience she voted in favor of the Iraq war in 2003, failing to anticipate the consequences of such interventions.
RELATED: Sanders' Plan to Increase Taxes on Corporate Profits Would Boost Jobs
He promised that as a U.S. president he would be more careful when dealing with global conflicts and make an effort to anticipate unwanted consequences such as the Islamic State group rise in Libya, Syria and Iraq.
The former first lady continued to claim that she had a part in kickstarting the Iran nuclear negotiations that lead to the historic Iran deal between the Tehran and six world powers.
"I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend, and I will not take advice from him on foreign policy." #DemDebate
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 12, 2016
However, Sanders made an effort to direct his thanks and appreciation to current Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama for their months-long efforts in landing the deal.
RELATED: Despite Loss, Clinton to Win as Many Delegates as Sanders in New Hampshire
On immigration, Sanders said he disagrees with Obama's current immigration policy, while Clinton says she supports it, but not raids and inhumane treatment.
As in the last five debates, Sanders took time to state that he did not receive support from a super PAC and was only supported by individual citizen donors.
“I am the only candidate up here that does not have a Super PAC.”
To which Clinton responded she also had donations from individual donors despite that being it a small fraction of her campaign finances compared to the contributions she receives from the super PAC that supporters her.
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