Sanders Trolls Clinton Campaign Chair Podesta On Single Payer Health Care

In turn, the Sanders campaign cited a 2008 mail ad in which the Clinton campaign that year said Obama had once favored a ban on handguns but later said he supported the Second Amendment, then spoke of “bitter” people who “cling to their guns”.

But as Sanders worked through his usual talking points, he made sure to draw a contrast with his current main political rival, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, on a few key issues.

Sanders leads in electability by a wide margin: an average of 6 points in Iowa and 21 in New Hampshire. The same poll showed Sanders ahead of Clinton by 4 points in New Hampshire.

The persistent challenge from Sanders presents a critical challenge for Clinton.

“I would urge those voters, the voters all over this country, to take a look at recent polls in which Bernie Sanders is matched with Republican candidates”, Sanders said during an interview on ABC on Sunday.

“Secretary Clinton and her campaign is in serious trouble”, Sanders told reporters Monday after a campaign stop in Pleasantville, Iowa.

Asked for comment, Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta pointed the issue back to Sanders, saying he “still refuses to admit he got it wrong”. “The bill passed with Sanders” support – and Wayne LaPierre of the NRA called it “the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in 20 years.’ And just a few months ago, Sanders said he doesn’t apologize for that vote”. Clinton herself waited months to even say his name on the campaign trail. She was referring to Sanders’ vote on a bill that would grant immunity for firearms manufacturers when firearms are used in crimes.

“There are some people who suggest that, ‘Well, Bernie Sanders might be a nice guy, or not a nice guy … but, you know what, he can’t win”.

“Think hard about the people who are presenting themselves to you, their experience, their qualifications, their positions”.

Clinton still holds a strong advantage among black and Latino voters who play a bigger role in the primaries in late February and March.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama had intentionally raised the issue of liability for gun manufacturers, adding that if Sanders became the Democratic nominee, the White House would have to examine his record to determine whether Obama can support him.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the results of the December Des Moines Register poll.