Sanders turns confrontational and Clinton emphasizes her record in Iowa town hall

[Omaha Steve]

Source: LA Times

By Evan Halper and Chris Megerian

With the Democratic presidential contest in Iowa a toss-up less than a week from the first vote of 2016, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Monday took starkly different approaches to pursuing wavering voters in their final appearance on the same stage.

An uncharacteristically confrontational Sanders, taking umbrage at the barrage of attacks from his rival's campaign, launched into a spirited critique of Clinton's career. Clinton responded later with little of the feistiness she has shown recently on the campaign trail, instead reverting to her earlier posture of confident front-runner, emphasizing her qualifications for the office and trying to avoid engaging her rivals.

Except Clinton is no longer the clear front-runner in Iowa. She is locked in an unexpectedly tight race with the self-described democratic socialist senator from Vermont, scrambling to avoid an early loss that would significantly complicate her path to the nomination.

The town hall Monday night at Drake University in Des Moines, hosted by CNN, was an opportunity for the candidates to make what amounted to closing arguments. Though the rivals did not appear onstage together — each separately fielded questions from audience members and CNN moderator Chris Cuomo — the stakes were as high as those of a presidential debate.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-democrats-town-hall-20160126-story.html

[still_one]

1. Come on Steve, this really belongs in GD:Primaries and you know it

[JonLeibowitz]

3. I usually enjoy Steve's posts but on this one I agree with you.

Just about the only GD-P topics that belong here are "X wins Iowa caucus" and "X candidate is under federal indictment"

[still_one]

6. Steve is a gem, especially in regards to labor rights. His historical perspective is amazing.

[Omaha Steve]

5. This is the ONLY post in LBN about last night

I was shocked there was no post before this covering the town hall. That means in 12 hours nothing about it.

Do we not wan ANY coverage of last night in LBN?

OS

[still_one]

7. I just personally think this is the ongoing political debate going on between the candidates

In my view that is what GD rimaries is for. I am just stating my perspective

[Omaha Steve]

9. One LBN search over the last month using search term Clinton

Going by that search, this post about a nationally televised event that was scheduled at the last moment before Iowa is qualified for LBN.

I will be gone for 2-3 hours. I have no problem with this going to the hosts for an opinion or lock. Just let us be consistent.

OS

[Gregorian]

2. Sanders repeats crucially important issues and Clinton drones on about her life.

That's how the title should read.

[Vinca]

4. I think the cake is baked as far as Iowa and NH go -

barring a sudden bombshell from any of the candidates.

[JonLeibowitz]

8. I think so too -- but I'm concerned that in the next few days the superPACs will flood in

There have to be more smears than they've thrown at him.