Fireworks fly as Clinton, Sanders square in debate

Mrs Clinton, a former first lady and former senator, has sought to manage expectations about her performance in next week’s New Hampshire primary, saying she is disadvantaged by Mr Sanders’ being from a neighbouring state.

Watch for Clinton and Sanders to take off running on this topic, which intensified over Twitter and in live appearances after Monday’s Iowa caucuses. “I don’t know. That’s what they offered”, she said awkwardly Wednesday, drawing cringes from Democrats and Republicans alike. “So I think it’s time to end the very artful smear that you and your campaign have been carrying out in recent weeks, and lets talk about the issues”.

Asked if she would release transcripts of her paid speeches to Wall Street interests and others, Clinton was noncommittal – “I’ll look into it”.

“We have got to work in a strong coalition with major powers of the world and with those Muslim countries that are prepared to stand up and take on terrorism”.

Polls in New Hampshire suggest the primary will not be as close as the tight Democratic caucuses in Iowa.

“The economy has not been working for most Americans”, she said.

Bernie Sanders answers a question from the audience while taking part in a CNN Democratic Town Hall moderated by American journalist and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper in Derry, New Hampshire February 3, 2016.

She did not specifically reference the criticisms that Sanders made her after the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood endorsed her. Clinton said his comments “really caused me to wonder who’s left in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party”. However, Mrs Clinton is just a better all-round performer – as you would expect given her CV – and she once again showed her class and depth in discussing foreign policy issues.

“So far in New Hampshire, it’s all Sanders as Clinton faces an uphill fight”, said pollster Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Clinton said she found it amusing that the senator thinks he can be the “gatekeeper” of who’s progressive.

Graff says Sanders is more progressive, but that label may not matter to voters as states less liberal than New Hampshire hold their primaries.

Kelleigh McKenzie, a delegate from Ulster County for the Sanders’ campaign, said Sanders’ campaign has grassroots enthusiasm.

Robby Mook, Clinton’s campaign manager, charged the Sanders’ campaign with purposely misleading voters about endorsements in a Medium post. Jeb Bush, his campaign lagging, brought in his mom, former first lady Barbara Bush, who praised him as “decent and honest and everything we need in a president”. Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed from Madison, Wisconsin.