Clinton’s Attacks on Sanders Draw Fire From Some Progressive Groups

Bernie Sanders defended his latest ad that appears to bash Hillary Clinton’s ties to Wall Street, saying tonight at a Dartmouth College news conference that it’s not meant to be inflammatory.

Clinton has been the clear Democratic front-runner for months, but recent polls show her margin slipping much faster this year than it did when she ran in 2008, the Washington Post reported Thursday. Speaking in the ad, Mr. Sanders describes “two Democratic visions for regulating Wall Street”, a topic the two presidential candidates have clashed over repeatedly as the Iowa caucuses loom.

Clinton denied that was the case and said she has nothing negative to say about him.

“Whatever I say about Hillary’s plan, you are entitled to give it the love discount if you want”, said the former president.

“I absolutely believe that can happen, and the reason I believe it can happen is because I witnessed it here in 2008”, said Allen Bailey, chairman of the Sumter County, South Carolina, Democratic Party and a Sanders backer.

It was a day when multiple polls showed that Clinton’s lead over her chief challenger, US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, has eroded in Iowa and New Hampshire, which hold their nominating contests on February 1 and February 9. With all the attention going toward Clinton and Trump, Sanders has been able to climb his way up the ladder and make a real mess of things for people who were certain Clinton would be the Democratic candidate.

Clinton is leading Sanders 42% to 40%.

Critics have been calling on Sanders to release the details of his universal health care plan.

“This is not a negative ad”, Sanders told reporters Thursday night.

For the time being, both male and female Democrats and Democrat leaners are more likely to support Clinton than Sanders. It also released a letter from economic experts who pan Clinton’s Wall Street proposal as too moderate.

The younger Clinton made three campaign stops in New Hampshire on Tuesday and is scheduled to swing through Iowa on January 16.

This time around, Clinton entered the race after significant buildup from fans, celebrities and other politicians urging her to run.

Clinton senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan said it was “simply not possible” to implement Sanders’ healthcare plan without raising taxes on the middle class, which Clinton has said she would not do. Clinton’s campaign has spent a total of $14.6 million on TV ads compared to Sanders’ $10.3 million.

“I think there could be a meltdown”, said David Woodard, a political science professor at Clemson University.