Hillary Clinton cools the Bern in Democratic debate

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/hillary-clinton-cools-the-bern-democratic-debate

Thursday’s Democratic presidential debate started off quietly but escalated into passionate debates about foreign policy and the legacy of Barack Obama as Clinton doused Sanders’ burning passion with a cool dose of realism.

Clinton arguably boasts experience in government unparalleled by anyone in the presidential field — but that has also made her a high-profile target for attack.

Clinton has struggled to find a clear and inspiring message, often sounding like a professional killjoy on the stump as Sanders makes uplifting promises. But during the PBS debate Thursday night in Milwaukee, Clinton adopted a new more measured tone to reflect her message, and honed her rhetoric.

Instead of taking swings at her opponent as she has in previous debates, Clinton made it clear she agrees with Sanders’ progressive principles. She let him throw the punches while she subtly undermined his competence and readiness to enact those principles.

Clinton began the night by saying she wants to “knock down all the barriers that are holding Americans back,” not just the economic ones Sanders emphasizes. And she ended the evening with a devastating new line: “I am not a single issue candidate and I do not believe we live in a single issue country.”

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