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Democratic debate: focus shifts from Sanders team's data breach to national security – live Democratic debate: Sanders apologizes to Clinton over DNC data debacle – live updates
(35 minutes later)
1.52am GMT01:52
From US opinion columnist Lucia Graves in Washington:
Bernie Sanders has been campaigning in no small part on morality – and he was not willing to relinquish that upper hand in light of his campaign’s recent data breach. Asked by a moderator if he wanted to apologize to Clinton, he went above and beyond.
“Yes I apologize,” he said. “Not only do I apologize to Secretary Clinton, I want to apologize to my supporters. This is not the type of campaign that I run and if find anyone else involved in this they will be fired.”
Clinton in turn rose above the issue, telling Sanders: “I don’t think the American people are all that interested in this.”
From US opinion columnist Jeb Lund in Tampa, Florida:
And good for Hillary for returning Bernie’s ‘I’m sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails’ by not pushing ahead on the third-party vendor data breach with the DNC. Although, you’ll never be able to convince some conspiracy-minded Sanders supporters that the Clinton campaign didn’t leak the information themselves in the first place – which means that even this graciousness can be interpreted by them as just a second bite at the integrity apple.
1.49am GMT01:49
Sanders says extensive military intervention is not the answer on Isis for the US.
“I do not believe in unilateral American action. I believe in action in which we put together a strong coalition of forces. Major powers and Muslim forces.”
He gives a shout-out to King Abdullah of Jordan (Getting the name right, unlike Republican governor Chris Christie earlier this week) – and says that Jordan is helping “fight for the soul of Islam”.
1.48am GMT01:48
The moderator moves on to a question about terrorism, alluding to the husband and wife couple who killed 14 people in San Bernardino earlier in December.
Clinton says her strategy to for Isis is “not to contain them but to defeat them” – a shot at Barack Obama’s comments earliest this year about the group. Clinton outlines the plan:
Finally she says that Americans cannot demonize Muslims, as some Republicans have done.
1.43am GMT01:43
Clinton says she appreciates Sanders’ apology.
“Obviously we were distressed when we learned of it, because we’ve worked very hard … and so now that I think that we’ve resolved your data, agreed on an independent inquiry, we should move on. Because I don’t think the American people care all that much.”
O’Malley juts in, saying that this sort of data breach is exemplary of why Washington is so terrible at getting anything done. He says people who are more “high-minded” than these incidents should check out Martin O’Malley dot com.
1.41am GMT01:41
Sanders apologizes for data breach
First question goes right to the database spat between Sanders and Clinton’s campaigns. Were your staffers stealing, the moderator asks?
Sanders says the DNC says there were two breaches in information, where his staff found information on their computers. Those staffers said: “Whoa, what’s going on here,” and went to the vendor and asked what was happening, resolving the problem without issue.
He says in this third incident someone instead looked at the information, which was wrong, and that that person was fired accordingly. But the DNC made “an egregious act” by cutting off his campaign’s access to voter data, he says.
He wants an investigation: “I’m not convinced that information from my campaign didn’t end up in her campaign.”
All the press bothers him too – but he’s immediate about an apology: “yes, I apologize” for the staffer’s actions. He apologizes to supporters too: “this is not the kind of campaign we want to run.”
1.40am GMT01:40
Jeb Lund
From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund, who is watching from Tampa, Florida:
Martin O’Malley’s passionate opening statement in which he dropped the word “fascism” and mentioned the Statue of Liberty as an enduring American symbol echoed things he’s said in the past.
So, I guess I have no choice but to echo things I’ve said in the past: I have no idea why this guy isn’t doing better.
1.37am GMT01:37
Opening statements:
Hillary Clinton: Keep the country safe and help the economy grow for more people than just those at the top. I’ve got a strategy for defeating Isis without a ground war, and I’ve got a plan to increase incomes and help families sleep better at night. We’ve got to keep Republicans from repealing the Affordable Care Act, from giving tax breaks to the richest Americans, and from letting people on the no-fly list buy guns. I look forward to a discussion of real issues, not like those Repubilcan debates.
Martin O’Malley: Tonight is different. Difference is now. Tonight is different because of this reason. American lives have been taken from us. I’ve looked into the eyes of veterans. Of Boy Scouts. Of Muslims. What our nation needs right now is a to realize we face a political danger, the danger of unscrupulous leaders trying to turn us on each other through fear. We will rise to the challenge of Isis, and we will rise to the challenges of the economy. We must never surrender our values to terrorists, racists or to “the fascist pleas of billionaires with big mouths”.
Bernie Sanders: Good evening, I am running for president of the United States because it is too late for establishment politics and establishment econmics. I’m running for president because our economy is rigged, because working class people are making smaller wages, and because income is going to the top 1%. I’m running for president because campaign finance is corrupt, billionaires are buying candidates. I’m running because we need to address climate change, and take on the fossil fuel industry and transform our energy system to sustainable energy. I want a new foreign policy, one that destroys Isis but does not get us in the quagmire of the Middle East, but rather works with a coalition of nations supporting Muslim troops on the ground.
1.37am GMT01:37
Martin Pengelly
It turns out I, the weekend editor, edging into this blog only briefly – am friends with one of the passionate, opinionated young people (“millennials”?) whom ABC has corralled into a room for some passionate, opinionated debate over the, well, passionate and opinionated debate to come. I looked up here at Guardian HQ and, swipe me, there he was on the screen.
Will Ackerly, for it is he – as is this, most impressively – reports from the room: “The debate in here is incredibly passionate.”
“Not much discussion on national security yet,” Will adds.
1.32am GMT01:32
It’s 8.31pm and ABC has aired snappy quotes of the three candidates sounding impassioned!
“Much has changed in the world since they last debated five weeks ago,” Martha Raddatz tells the crowd. Then she introduces Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders.
1.21am GMT01:21
It’s almost as though the Democratic National Committee doesn’t really want us to watch …
BTW, the next Democratic debate is on a Sunday (Jan. 17). The final two are after New Hampshire.
During the NFL playoffs! https://t.co/xtJn4rcmpk
(It’s also the three-day weekend of Martin Luther King Day…)
This may be the first presidential debate geared solely for an audience of shut-ins. Who do not have remote controls.
When I am president, debates will start and end on time.
Updated at 1.29am GMT
1.07am GMT01:071.07am GMT01:07
The pre-debate moderator chatter begins! The talking heads are excited, and already describing Bernie Sanders as the frontrunner in New Hampshire, if also the 31-point underdog around the US.The pre-debate moderator chatter begins! The talking heads are excited, and already describing Bernie Sanders as the frontrunner in New Hampshire, if also the 31-point underdog around the US.
They point out that eight years ago Hillary Clinton had a +30-point lead over some senator named Barack Obama. And they do have a point that Sanders enjoys exceptionally strong support from a loud minority of progressives around the country.They point out that eight years ago Hillary Clinton had a +30-point lead over some senator named Barack Obama. And they do have a point that Sanders enjoys exceptionally strong support from a loud minority of progressives around the country.
Kshama Sawant, a Seattle city council member with the Socialist Alternative party, has launched an independent organization to back Sanders. My colleague Chris McGreal points out that Sawant spearheaded the $15 minimum wage law that passed in Seattle earlier this year. She just won re-election, and thanked Sanders for the victory.Kshama Sawant, a Seattle city council member with the Socialist Alternative party, has launched an independent organization to back Sanders. My colleague Chris McGreal points out that Sawant spearheaded the $15 minimum wage law that passed in Seattle earlier this year. She just won re-election, and thanked Sanders for the victory.
Updated at 1.11am GMTUpdated at 1.11am GMT
12.51am GMT00:5112.51am GMT00:51
T-minus nine minutes till ABC stops airing college football and turns to what Americans really want on a Saturday night: policy wonkery from the three people who want to run the United States.T-minus nine minutes till ABC stops airing college football and turns to what Americans really want on a Saturday night: policy wonkery from the three people who want to run the United States.
Outside the college hall, the Guardian’s DC chief Dan Roberts found some motley protesters who can barely contain themselves with excitement.Outside the college hall, the Guardian’s DC chief Dan Roberts found some motley protesters who can barely contain themselves with excitement.
12.47am GMT00:4712.47am GMT00:47
Self-declared democratic socialist, enemy of the big banks and … friend of the NRA? Not quite, but Bernie Sanders may be on the defensive over gun control tonight, despite his D-minus grade from the pro-gun group.Self-declared democratic socialist, enemy of the big banks and … friend of the NRA? Not quite, but Bernie Sanders may be on the defensive over gun control tonight, despite his D-minus grade from the pro-gun group.
My colleague Sabrina Siddiqui looks at how the Vermont senator’s voting record could haunt him in a year of high-profile shootings and the long-awaited return of gun control to the debate stage.My colleague Sabrina Siddiqui looks at how the Vermont senator’s voting record could haunt him in a year of high-profile shootings and the long-awaited return of gun control to the debate stage.
Sanders has struggled to explain his support for a bill in 2005 that granted legal protections to gun manufacturers. Attacked by Clinton and O’Malley during the last debate, Sanders said he voted for “a large and complicated bill”. Clinton countered by pointing out that she had voted against the same measure and had not found it “that complicated”.Sanders has struggled to explain his support for a bill in 2005 that granted legal protections to gun manufacturers. Attacked by Clinton and O’Malley during the last debate, Sanders said he voted for “a large and complicated bill”. Clinton countered by pointing out that she had voted against the same measure and had not found it “that complicated”.
Other votes from Sanders’s past also put him at odds with the majority of Democrats and instead on the side of the NRA.Other votes from Sanders’s past also put him at odds with the majority of Democrats and instead on the side of the NRA.
In 2006, as a member of the House of Representatives, Sanders voted in favor of a bill that would have made it harder for law enforcement to revoke the licenses of gun dealers who violated federal laws. Although the measure was bipartisan, the majority of Democrats,123, voted against. Sixty-three voted for it.In 2006, as a member of the House of Representatives, Sanders voted in favor of a bill that would have made it harder for law enforcement to revoke the licenses of gun dealers who violated federal laws. Although the measure was bipartisan, the majority of Democrats,123, voted against. Sixty-three voted for it.
There was also a House vote in 1993 on an amendment that would have established a loophole in the waiting period for background checks. Under the amendment, backed by Sanders, a gun purchase would proceed by default if the background check was not completed within one business day. The amendment was to be part of the Brady Bill, landmark legislation that mandated federal background checks. Ultimately, it was tweaked to a three-day period.There was also a House vote in 1993 on an amendment that would have established a loophole in the waiting period for background checks. Under the amendment, backed by Sanders, a gun purchase would proceed by default if the background check was not completed within one business day. The amendment was to be part of the Brady Bill, landmark legislation that mandated federal background checks. Ultimately, it was tweaked to a three-day period.
Related: Sanders gets defensive on gun control as Clinton tightens hold ahead of debateRelated: Sanders gets defensive on gun control as Clinton tightens hold ahead of debate
12.36am GMT00:3612.36am GMT00:36
The Democratic race already got a little a personal this week, when Bernie Sanders accused Hillary Clinton of facilitating extremism in Libya this week.The Democratic race already got a little a personal this week, when Bernie Sanders accused Hillary Clinton of facilitating extremism in Libya this week.
He told my colleague Dan Roberts in a pre-debate interview she voted for intervention “without worrying, I think, about what happened the day after and the kind of instability and the rise of Isis that we have seen in Libya.”He told my colleague Dan Roberts in a pre-debate interview she voted for intervention “without worrying, I think, about what happened the day after and the kind of instability and the rise of Isis that we have seen in Libya.”
“Regime change without worrying about what happens the day after you get rid of the dictator does not make a lot of sense,” Sanders said.“Regime change without worrying about what happens the day after you get rid of the dictator does not make a lot of sense,” Sanders said.
“I voted against the war in Iraq ... Secretary Clinton voted for that war. She was proud to have been involved in regime change in Libya, with [Muammar] Gaddafi, without worrying, I think, about what happened the day after and the kind of instability and the rise of Isis that we have seen in Libya.”“I voted against the war in Iraq ... Secretary Clinton voted for that war. She was proud to have been involved in regime change in Libya, with [Muammar] Gaddafi, without worrying, I think, about what happened the day after and the kind of instability and the rise of Isis that we have seen in Libya.”
Clinton has previously defended her role in airstrikes against Gaddafi in 2011, arguing he was a “murderous dictator ... who had American blood on his hands” and there was pressure for US action from European and Arab allies.Clinton has previously defended her role in airstrikes against Gaddafi in 2011, arguing he was a “murderous dictator ... who had American blood on his hands” and there was pressure for US action from European and Arab allies.
Related: Sanders: Clinton's pursuit of 'regime change' in Libya helped rise of IsisRelated: Sanders: Clinton's pursuit of 'regime change' in Libya helped rise of Isis
12.26am GMT00:2612.26am GMT00:26
The Democratic National Committee, apparently not content to schedule a debate at the odd hour of 8pm the Saturday before Christmas – Sanders and O’Malley have complained – has also decided to deter the press by telling them to congregate in an ice-skating rink.The Democratic National Committee, apparently not content to schedule a debate at the odd hour of 8pm the Saturday before Christmas – Sanders and O’Malley have complained – has also decided to deter the press by telling them to congregate in an ice-skating rink.
My colleague Lauren Gambino tweets rink-side, where debate officials have handed hand warmers.My colleague Lauren Gambino tweets rink-side, where debate officials have handed hand warmers.
It's as cold as it look. #DemDebate DemDebate pic.twitter.com/HhT2r1eqvGIt's as cold as it look. #DemDebate DemDebate pic.twitter.com/HhT2r1eqvG
12.15am GMT00:1512.15am GMT00:15
What’s this voter database kerfuffle about, anyway? My colleague Ben Jacobs takes apart the odd political scandal, and rules that everybody – Clinton, Sanders, the Democratic party – comes out a loser:What’s this voter database kerfuffle about, anyway? My colleague Ben Jacobs takes apart the odd political scandal, and rules that everybody – Clinton, Sanders, the Democratic party – comes out a loser:
The drama started on Wednesday morning, when several Sanders campaign staffers discovered that due to a software glitch in the voter file shared by all Democratic presidential campaigns, they could see proprietary data of the Clinton campaign.The drama started on Wednesday morning, when several Sanders campaign staffers discovered that due to a software glitch in the voter file shared by all Democratic presidential campaigns, they could see proprietary data of the Clinton campaign.
The staffers started exploring. In particular, they looked at the support scores the Clinton campaign had compiled in different states. This is proprietary information generated when a campaign, based on polling, modeling and demographic data, estimates the likelihood of a given voter’s support.The staffers started exploring. In particular, they looked at the support scores the Clinton campaign had compiled in different states. This is proprietary information generated when a campaign, based on polling, modeling and demographic data, estimates the likelihood of a given voter’s support.
The Sanders staffers said that they were only looking at the information in order to test the vulnerabilities of the system. The DNC and the Clinton campaign insisted they were looking to take advantage of the glitch.The Sanders staffers said that they were only looking at the information in order to test the vulnerabilities of the system. The DNC and the Clinton campaign insisted they were looking to take advantage of the glitch.
It is likely that aspects of both answers are correct. Political staffers are trained to be aggressive and that it’s always safer to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Without any effort, the Sanders staffers were given a rare window into the Clinton campaign’s internal efforts. It would have been hard to resist.It is likely that aspects of both answers are correct. Political staffers are trained to be aggressive and that it’s always safer to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Without any effort, the Sanders staffers were given a rare window into the Clinton campaign’s internal efforts. It would have been hard to resist.
The Clinton campaign claimed that “our data was stolen”, but that doesn’t seem to have been the case. What the Sanders staffers did was more like rifling through someone’s belongings and eyeballing each object – before putting it back.The Clinton campaign claimed that “our data was stolen”, but that doesn’t seem to have been the case. What the Sanders staffers did was more like rifling through someone’s belongings and eyeballing each object – before putting it back.
Such actions were unprecedented, though, and should embarrass the Sanders campaign. Even if it wasn’t an intentional hack, it represented remarkably bad judgment.Such actions were unprecedented, though, and should embarrass the Sanders campaign. Even if it wasn’t an intentional hack, it represented remarkably bad judgment.
And then the DNC overreacted and cut off the Sanders campaign’s access to the voter file. Every list of voters to target comes out of the voter file, whether it is intended to find volunteers, identify supporters or raise money. Every bit of data a campaign collects goes back into the voter file.And then the DNC overreacted and cut off the Sanders campaign’s access to the voter file. Every list of voters to target comes out of the voter file, whether it is intended to find volunteers, identify supporters or raise money. Every bit of data a campaign collects goes back into the voter file.
It is as essential to a campaign as electricity is to any household. In an unprecedented move, the DNC pulled the plug.It is as essential to a campaign as electricity is to any household. In an unprecedented move, the DNC pulled the plug.
Related: Democratic debate: candidates to clash amid data scandal that hurts all involvedRelated: Democratic debate: candidates to clash amid data scandal that hurts all involved
11.45pm GMT23:4511.45pm GMT23:45
Live from Manchester, New Hampshire, it’s debate night! Welcome to our live coverage of the third Democratic presidential debate, and thanks for joining us.Live from Manchester, New Hampshire, it’s debate night! Welcome to our live coverage of the third Democratic presidential debate, and thanks for joining us.
Tonight’s debate is at St Anselm College, a Catholic liberal arts school where finals just ended, freeing undergrads for the holidays. No such luck for the three Democratic contenders for president, who’ve been called away from their families to face each other and a televised test on foreign affairs and America.Tonight’s debate is at St Anselm College, a Catholic liberal arts school where finals just ended, freeing undergrads for the holidays. No such luck for the three Democratic contenders for president, who’ve been called away from their families to face each other and a televised test on foreign affairs and America.
But while the Democrats shared some good cheer in their first two debates, don’t expect the holiday spirit to make an appearance tonight. The Democratic race took a strange and dramatic turn this week, when staffers for the campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders, progressives’ beloved anti-Scrooge, exploited a voter database glitch to look at proprietary data of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The Democratic National Committee suspended Sanders from using the critical shared database, Sanders sued, and the DNC backed down.But while the Democrats shared some good cheer in their first two debates, don’t expect the holiday spirit to make an appearance tonight. The Democratic race took a strange and dramatic turn this week, when staffers for the campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders, progressives’ beloved anti-Scrooge, exploited a voter database glitch to look at proprietary data of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The Democratic National Committee suspended Sanders from using the critical shared database, Sanders sued, and the DNC backed down.
Staffers for Clinton, the presidential candidate of Christmas past, accused the rival campaign of stealing, and everybody came out bruised, confused and feeling hostile. Third candidate Martin O’Malley, former governor of Maryland, was somewhere off to the side, doing something down at 3%.Staffers for Clinton, the presidential candidate of Christmas past, accused the rival campaign of stealing, and everybody came out bruised, confused and feeling hostile. Third candidate Martin O’Malley, former governor of Maryland, was somewhere off to the side, doing something down at 3%.
Clinton leads Sanders 56% to 28% nationally, but trails him 47% to 45% in New Hampshire, according to poll averages. Their duel (truel?) with O’Malley, over national security, gun control, foreign affairs and more, is slated to start at 8pm ET.Clinton leads Sanders 56% to 28% nationally, but trails him 47% to 45% in New Hampshire, according to poll averages. Their duel (truel?) with O’Malley, over national security, gun control, foreign affairs and more, is slated to start at 8pm ET.
Along for the ride this evening here at Guardian US are:Along for the ride this evening here at Guardian US are:
Updated at 12.00am GMTUpdated at 12.00am GMT