Hillary Clinton opened Thursday’s Democratic debate showdown with Sen. Bernard Sanders by insisting her message can appeal beyond “angry” voters worried about the economy and can reach blacks, Hispanics and women who she said suffer fear and discrimination.
“I want to tackle those barriers that stand in the way of too many Americans right now,” she said. “African Americans who face discrimination in the job market, education, housing and the criminal justice system. Hard-working immigrant families living in fear who should be brought out of the shadows,” she said.
The move seemed calculated to isolate Mr. Sanders as a one-note candidate whose message on economic inequality, while popular with many Democrats, can’t reach all of the problems liberal voters see.
Mr. Sanders didn’t back down from his central message, saying he embraces a bigger role for government and said that’s the kind of intervention needed to rein in the wealthy he said are taking advantage of the rest of the country.
“What our campaign is indicating is that the American people are tired of establishment politics, tired of establishment economics. They want a political revolution,” he said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
• Kelly Riddell can be reached at kriddell@washingtontimes.com.
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