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Bernie Sanders makes impassioned defense of socialism at Democratic forum - live coverage Clinton at Democratic forum: 'They throw all this stuff at me – and I'm still standing' – live
(35 minutes later)
4.02am GMT
04:02
Hillary Clinton watches possibly the smiliest campaign advertisement this side of a Coke commercial, courtesy of the Sanders campaign:
“I think that’s great,” Clinton says. “I think that’s fabulous, I loved it!”
Hillary being made to watch Bernie's ad is like Mariah being made to listen to Ariana Grande pic.twitter.com/5xDzitBakG
"I loved it!" Hillary says of Bernie's campaign ad pic.twitter.com/iPWZfRbvn2
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3.59am GMT
03:59
Hillary Clinton answers a question on Benghazi:
I understand that they will try to make this an issue - I will continue to answer, and my defense is the truth.
3.58am GMT
03:58
Lucia Graves
Bernie Sanders’s first question at tonight’s Democratic forum was to explain he’s a socialist; Hillary Clinton was asked to explain why young people don’t like her and think she’s dishonest, notes Lucia Graves.
There’s a long history of calling female candidates dishonest, and Clinton in particular has spent decades fighting off such gendered attacks. I’ve written before about why women in power are typically seen as less trustworthy than men in the same positions, but it bears revisiting tonight.
Clinton’s response started out as a wooden lecture how she intended to go about winning, and vague remarks about how she was “totally excited about young people getting involved in any way”, but she soon pivoted to something more personal. While she didn’t call out the gendered nature of the attack explicitly, the tenor was there in her comments that she’s been around long enough that “people have thrown all kinds of things” at her.
The irony is Clinton’s part of the forum explicitly started with a conversation with the moderator about how Barack Obama had said in an interview Clinton had to put up with attacks she didn’t deserve.
3.53am GMT
03:53
An American Muslim who served in the Air Force asks Clinton: With the rise in Islamophobia, how can Clinton make America a safe place to raise her family?
Hillary’s impassioned answer: After thanking the questioner for her service, Clinton says that “one of the most distressing aspects of this campaign has been the language of Republican candidates, particularly their frontrunner, that insults, demeans, and denigrates different people.” Donald Trump “has cast a wide net,” Clinton says, but has been “particularly harmful [in] the way that he has talked about Muslims.”
Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric is “shameful and contrary to our values,” Clinton says, and to claim that there are no real Muslims who share American values is not only inaccurate, “it’s dangerous.”
“American Muslims deserve better, and now their children and they are the target of Islamophobia and threats,” Clinton says. “We cannot tolerate this - we must stand up and say everybody in this country deserves to be treated with respect.”
“There’s another element to this that I want to mention,” Clinton says, warning that alienating Muslims around the world is a terrible way to build the kind of international coalition in the Middle East necessary to confront Isis. It’s hard to get people to join you in war, Clinton says, “if you spend your time insulting their religion. We need to stand up and point out how wrong this is.”
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03:46
Although she regrets the “mistake” of her vote in support of giving George W Bush the ability to invade Iraq, Clinton says that “the American public has seen me exercising judgment in a lot of other ways”.
“I spent so much of my time getting back the the confidence and trust of our allies around the world,” she continued, “so I think that we made a lot of progress!”
“There is no time in human history where everything is going well,” Clinton concludes, somewhat un-inspiringly.
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3.42am GMT
03:42
From Drake University:
Hillary Clinton is going after "they" like she was @djkhaled
3.38am GMT
03:38
Checking in with Kentucky senator Rand Paul, who has been ragetweeting all night:
The most important take-away from the entire #DemTownHall will be: #TANSTAFL pic.twitter.com/LlLKhx7sik
3.38am GMT
03:38
Another Iowa caucus-goer leaning towards Bernie asks Clinton: How do we know you care about income inequality?
“I have a 40-year record of going against inequality,” Clinton says, including “racial inequality, sexist inequality, homophobic inequality”.
“I went after schools that were being turned into private schools that were really there because they wanted to escape integration in the south,” Clinton says of her time at the Children’s Defense Fund.
“I was in that fight during my husband’s administration - and let’s remember what happened there,” Clinton says, highlighting the economic halcyon days of the Clinton administration, which oversaw the largest sustained period of economic expansion in history.
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3.32am GMT
03:32
“I’ve been around a long time - people have thrown all kinds of things at me,” Clinton says, about criticism against her for perceived dishonesty. “They throw all this stuff at me, and I’m still standing.”
3.31am GMT
03:31
Clinton says that she’s exhilarated by the pressure she’s facing from socialist senator Bernie Sanders, drawing comparisons to the Republican primary. “The three of us have run a campaign talking about the differences we have on issues... the other side is not talking issues, it’s throwing insults,” Clinton said.
“You have to pick a president and a commander in chief, and you have to really vet the people who are running,” Clinton said.
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3.29am GMT3.29am GMT
03:2903:29
And she’s on!And she’s on!
Hillary joins Chris Cuomo - brother of the New York governor who has endorsed her - and is immediately lauded with news of her (other) endorsements, including the description “wicked smart” by Barack Obama. Hillary joins Chris Cuomo - brother of the New York governor, Andrew, who has endorsed her - and is immediately lauded with news of her (other) endorsements or semi-endorsements, including the description “wicked smart” by Barack Obama.
“We ran a really hard race against each other,” Clinton says about her relationship with Obama, “and then I had the opportunity when he asked me to serve as his secretary of state... and it turned into a real friendship. He knows how hard the job is, he knows it firsthand.” “We ran a really hard race against each other,” Clinton says about her relationship with Obama, “and then I had the opportunity when he asked me to serve as his secretary of state ... and it turned into a real friendship. He knows how hard the job is, he knows it first-hand.”
“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary to build on the progress that we’ve made” in the Obama White House, Clinton says, “against great odds.”“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary to build on the progress that we’ve made” in the Obama White House, Clinton says, “against great odds.”
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3.26am GMT3.26am GMT
03:2603:26
Hillary Clinton at the #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/dR1hPpYyzGHillary Clinton at the #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/dR1hPpYyzG
3.22am GMT3.22am GMT
03:2203:22
“My candidacy is in your hands – do with it what you will” may not be the most inspiring message one week before the Iowa caucuses, but it’s what Martin O’Malley’s got.“My candidacy is in your hands – do with it what you will” may not be the most inspiring message one week before the Iowa caucuses, but it’s what Martin O’Malley’s got.
Next up: Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.Next up: Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
3.19am GMT3.19am GMT
03:1903:19
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
Hold strong at your caucus!Hold strong at your caucus!
O’Malley urges his followers to not make a break for other candidates, especially if they don’t make the so-called 15% rule, which the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs did a good job untangling:O’Malley urges his followers to not make a break for other candidates, especially if they don’t make the so-called 15% rule, which the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs did a good job untangling:
To be viable in each precinct, a candidate usually needs to receive the support of 15% of those who attend, although in some small rural precincts, the threshold is higher.To be viable in each precinct, a candidate usually needs to receive the support of 15% of those who attend, although in some small rural precincts, the threshold is higher.
If a candidate’s support is under that threshold, his or her supporters need to induce others to join their group in order to reach 15%. If they are unsuccessful in doing so, their candidate is not considered viable and they can either go home or support a candidate who is viable instead. There is then a second count of supporters for each candidate and, from those totals, delegates are assigned.If a candidate’s support is under that threshold, his or her supporters need to induce others to join their group in order to reach 15%. If they are unsuccessful in doing so, their candidate is not considered viable and they can either go home or support a candidate who is viable instead. There is then a second count of supporters for each candidate and, from those totals, delegates are assigned.
This means that if Democratic candidates are polling under 15% statewide on caucus night, they could significantly underperform compared to their polling.This means that if Democratic candidates are polling under 15% statewide on caucus night, they could significantly underperform compared to their polling.
For more on how the Iowa caucuses work, check out the full article here:For more on how the Iowa caucuses work, check out the full article here:
Related: How the Iowa caucuses work: a confusing election process explainedRelated: How the Iowa caucuses work: a confusing election process explained
And here’s a video for good measure:And here’s a video for good measure:
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.21am GMTat 3.21am GMT
3.16am GMT3.16am GMT
03:1603:16
A caucus-goer asks the first LGBT-oriented question in... well, basically since we can remember: “What would you do as president to allow us to acquire full equality on the federal level?”A caucus-goer asks the first LGBT-oriented question in... well, basically since we can remember: “What would you do as president to allow us to acquire full equality on the federal level?”
O’Malley, who was governor of Maryland when it passed same-sex marriage at the ballot, pushes his record on LGBT rights: “The broader arc of American history,” O’Malley says, is that “in every generation, we take actions to include people more fully” in the American dream. After citing the passage of same-sex marriage in Maryland, O’Malley notes that he “also passed a transgender anti-discrimination bill as well”, an achievement met with a wide round of applause.O’Malley, who was governor of Maryland when it passed same-sex marriage at the ballot, pushes his record on LGBT rights: “The broader arc of American history,” O’Malley says, is that “in every generation, we take actions to include people more fully” in the American dream. After citing the passage of same-sex marriage in Maryland, O’Malley notes that he “also passed a transgender anti-discrimination bill as well”, an achievement met with a wide round of applause.
“It’s really about our kids - it’s about all our kids,” O’Malley says. “There is dignity in every child’s home... because that’s what makes us stronger as a country.”“It’s really about our kids - it’s about all our kids,” O’Malley says. “There is dignity in every child’s home... because that’s what makes us stronger as a country.”
UpdatedUpdated
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3.13am GMT3.13am GMT
03:1303:13
Martin O'Malley: "We're the only species on the planet without full employment.” Come on. Ever heard of sloths? #DemTownHall #DemForumMartin O'Malley: "We're the only species on the planet without full employment.” Come on. Ever heard of sloths? #DemTownHall #DemForum
3.10am GMT3.10am GMT
03:1003:10
Martin O’Malley draws a clear contrast between himself and socialist senator Bernie Sanders:Martin O’Malley draws a clear contrast between himself and socialist senator Bernie Sanders:
My story is not of a Democratic conversion - my story is that of a Democratic upbringing.My story is not of a Democratic conversion - my story is that of a Democratic upbringing.
3.07am GMT3.07am GMT
03:0703:07
:-(:-(
I can't bring myself to live tweet Martin O'Malley, sorry Twitter. #DemTownHallI can't bring myself to live tweet Martin O'Malley, sorry Twitter. #DemTownHall
3.06am GMT3.06am GMT
03:0603:06
#RealTalk: Martin O’Malley is well suited for a town hall-style event - and not just because it’s the only time he gets a chance to talk. He’s a bit of a wonk, with big ideas and a lot of anecdotal evidence from his time as a mayor and governor to back them up. Unfortunately for O’Malley, indefatigable positivity isn’t holding this cycle’s electorate as entranced as it has in years before - as demonstrated by this incredibly lonely Iowa campaign event from last month...#RealTalk: Martin O’Malley is well suited for a town hall-style event - and not just because it’s the only time he gets a chance to talk. He’s a bit of a wonk, with big ideas and a lot of anecdotal evidence from his time as a mayor and governor to back them up. Unfortunately for O’Malley, indefatigable positivity isn’t holding this cycle’s electorate as entranced as it has in years before - as demonstrated by this incredibly lonely Iowa campaign event from last month...
Related: Martin O'Malley campaign event in snowy Iowa draws just one personRelated: Martin O'Malley campaign event in snowy Iowa draws just one person
3.03am GMT3.03am GMT
03:0303:03
A 23-year-old Drake University student’s question: What issue should be most important to young voters and why - and don’t just repeat “debt-free college,” please.A 23-year-old Drake University student’s question: What issue should be most important to young voters and why - and don’t just repeat “debt-free college,” please.
O’Malley’s answer: “That is climate change,” met with massive applause. “Climate change is the greatest business opportunity to come to the United States in one hundred years.” He also mugs for the hometown audience: “This is another one of those instances where Iowa is pointing the way forward - 30 to 35 percent of your energy now comes from clean, Iowa wind.”O’Malley’s answer: “That is climate change,” met with massive applause. “Climate change is the greatest business opportunity to come to the United States in one hundred years.” He also mugs for the hometown audience: “This is another one of those instances where Iowa is pointing the way forward - 30 to 35 percent of your energy now comes from clean, Iowa wind.”
3.00am GMT3.00am GMT
03:0003:00
Question: How would you lessen the burden of healthcare costs on the middle class?Question: How would you lessen the burden of healthcare costs on the middle class?
O’Malley’s answer, after taking off his blazer because he means business: “We have to improve” Obamacare, but “we need to change what it is that we actually pay for - to put wellness at the center.”O’Malley’s answer, after taking off his blazer because he means business: “We have to improve” Obamacare, but “we need to change what it is that we actually pay for - to put wellness at the center.”
“We can dial up wellness, we can reduce the expense here, and that’s the future, I believe.”“We can dial up wellness, we can reduce the expense here, and that’s the future, I believe.”
2.53am GMT2.53am GMT
02:5302:53
He doesn't have a prayer... Martin O'Malley #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/IeIebF4aDmHe doesn't have a prayer... Martin O'Malley #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/IeIebF4aDm
2.52am GMT2.52am GMT
02:5202:52
Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley joins the stage with rock-bottom poll numbers - and immediately knocks the people conducting those polls.Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley joins the stage with rock-bottom poll numbers - and immediately knocks the people conducting those polls.
“With only three of us in the Democratic primary, there’s only one of us who can still upset the apple cart!”“With only three of us in the Democratic primary, there’s only one of us who can still upset the apple cart!”
2.51am GMT2.51am GMT
02:5102:51
Alan YuhasAlan Yuhas
This morning, Barack Obama played pundit in a podcast interview - the Guardian’s Alan Yuhas points out the president’s respect for Bernie Sanders, who he calls “fearless”:This morning, Barack Obama played pundit in a podcast interview - the Guardian’s Alan Yuhas points out the president’s respect for Bernie Sanders, who he calls “fearless”:
“There’s no doubt that Bernie has tapped into a running thread in Democratic politics,” Obama told Politico in a podcast, saying that thread asked: “Why are we still constrained by the terms of the debate that were set by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago?“There’s no doubt that Bernie has tapped into a running thread in Democratic politics,” Obama told Politico in a podcast, saying that thread asked: “Why are we still constrained by the terms of the debate that were set by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago?
“You know, why is it that we should be scared to challenge conventional wisdom and talk bluntly about inequality and, you know, be full-throated in our progressivism?”“You know, why is it that we should be scared to challenge conventional wisdom and talk bluntly about inequality and, you know, be full-throated in our progressivism?”
But although Obama said he understood Sanders’ appeal, he downplayed any similarities between his upstart 2008 campaign and the 73-year-old senator’s surprise popularity with diverse and young voters.But although Obama said he understood Sanders’ appeal, he downplayed any similarities between his upstart 2008 campaign and the 73-year-old senator’s surprise popularity with diverse and young voters.
Obama applauded Sanders, nonetheless, and conceded he did not know the senator as well as Clinton. Sanders “has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless”, he said. “His attitude is, ‘I got nothing to lose.’”Obama applauded Sanders, nonetheless, and conceded he did not know the senator as well as Clinton. Sanders “has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless”, he said. “His attitude is, ‘I got nothing to lose.’”
Related: Obama weighs in on 'fearless' Sanders and 'wicked smart' ClintonRelated: Obama weighs in on 'fearless' Sanders and 'wicked smart' Clinton
2.47am GMT2.47am GMT
02:4702:47
They wouldn’t believe it.They wouldn’t believe it.
Bernie gets emotional talking about his family, led by a father who emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, from Poland, where most of his family was murdered in the Holocaust. “It’s certainly something that I don’t think they’d ever believe would’ve happened,” Sanders said, of his rise to political prominence.Bernie gets emotional talking about his family, led by a father who emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, from Poland, where most of his family was murdered in the Holocaust. “It’s certainly something that I don’t think they’d ever believe would’ve happened,” Sanders said, of his rise to political prominence.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.52am GMT at 3.56am GMT
2.44am GMT
02:44
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders is easily winning the comedy primary tonight with his ribbing of Chris Cuomo. The moderator, who asked Sanders to sit down after standing up to answer a series of audience questions, tells Sanders he is “tired of following you around, sir.”
“If you’da followed me around today you’d be a lot more tired,” Sanders deadpans.
Told he is 75, Bernie replies: "I'm 74!" You're going on 75... "I'm going on 75 - so are you!" #demforum #DemTownHall
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2.41am GMT
02:41
Bernie Sanders restates his support for shield laws that keep gun manufacturers from being legally liable for violence committed using their products:
If you are a small gun shop in Vermont and I legally sell you a weapon ... I think the gun shop owner should not be held liable for your criminal act, that’s what I believe.
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2.38am GMT
02:38
Asked about his level of experience compared to Hillary Clinton’s, Sanders says:
Bernie Sanders: "This calls for a standing-up response" #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/M8IOpMeGm1
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2.37am GMT
02:37
Bernie Sanders doubles down on comparing opponent Hillary Clinton to loathed former vice president Dick Cheney - at least, from an experience level:
He had a lot of experience too!”
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2.35am GMT
02:35
Dan Roberts
Reporting from Bernie Sanders’ campaign headquarters in Burlington, Vermont, the Guardian’s Dan Roberts points out that even the senator himself is surprised by how far he has gone in the past six months:
“Truth be told, did any of us really, truly in our heart of hearts believe that six months later he was going to be kind of winning?” says environmentalist Bill McKibben as he recalls how far this so-called fringe candidate has come since he launched his campaign from a Burlington park in June.
Perhaps more than for any other leading candidate in the 2016 election, the next seven days are make or break for Sanders. If he can beat Clinton in the Iowa caucus, it won’t destroy her or win him the Democratic nomination, but it will raise the possibility that the wave of support could build – first in New Hampshire and then perhaps in Nevada or several Super Tuesday states. If the surge dissipates on the prairies of Iowa, even a win in the New Hampshire primary a week later may not be enough to dispel the inevitable feeling that the revolutionary moment has passed.
Related: Hope grows at Vermont HQ that Bernie Sanders effect can go national
2.30am GMT
02:30
Given his tweetstream, Kentucky senator Rand Paul may be being forced to watch the Democratic town hall forum Clockwork Orange-style.
I FEEL LIKE THIS ENTIRE #DEMTOWNHALL SO FAR HAS BEEN IN ALL CAPS
2.29am GMT
02:29
In the wake of a maladroit answer to a question about Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton, Sanders addresses a college student’s question about how he would be a better candidate for women’s issues than Hillary Clinton.
Sanders’ answer: After touting his 100-percent rating from Planned Parenthood, Sanders declares “we should expand funding for Planned Parenthood”.
“If you have a hundred-percent Planned Parenthood voting record, a hundred-percent pro-choice voting record, why is the leadership either not supporting Bernie Sanders, or why are they opposing him?” Sanders asks rhetorically.
As for being compared to a female candidate on women’s issues: “If you look at my record in terms of fighting for women’s rights, I think there are very few members of Congress who have a stronger record,” Sanders says.
“We’re gonna fight for pay equity to make sure that everybody earns the same amount for the same work.” He also calls for raising the national minimum wage, which would disproportionately impact women.
As moderator Chris Cuomo tries to cut into Sanders’ answer, he dismisses the interruption with a wave of his hand. “I’m trying to win her vote - leave me alone, here!”
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2.20am GMT
02:20
Most of the Republican candidates seem to be ignoring tonight’s Democratic presidential forum, but Kentucky senator Rand Paul - whose libertarian-leaning ideology couldn’t be further from Sanders’ self-proclaimed socialism - is ragetweeting enough for the entire field combined:
Here comes @BernieSanders! I predict he spends a trillion dollars in the first give minutes. Someone tally it. #DemTownHall
Sanders talks about Campaign Finance Reform and that too many people are trying to buy things and people in Washington. (1/2) #DemTownHall
But I have a different solution. Don't limit speech. Make the government smaller so people have no incentive to buy it #DemTownHall
.@BernieSanders just spent five minutes telling you what he thinks a socialist is. I can do it faster. #DemTownHall
Gov’t involvement never works. Gov’t involvement in healthcare raised prices & gov’t involvement in ed raised tuition costs #DemTownHall
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2.19am GMT
02:19
Sanders is asked whether he wants to bring back the “era of big government”. He says Wall Street should pay its way.
Pressed on the question, Sanders says every child should be able to get a higher education, and he will pay for that with financial taxes.
Pressed again, he says social security should be expanded. That gets a round of applause.
He says he will take on the greed of corporate America and Wall Street and will fight for the middle class.
2.16am GMT
02:16
Sanders is asked about his healthcare plan - is it a huge tax rise? He says it will save each person so much money, no one will see it like that. But he admits it also entails a tax rise.