Democratic Debate in NH: Sanders Apologizes, Clinton Slams Trump, O'Malley Plays Up Youth

MANCHESTER, NH — New Hampshire is essentially Bernie Sanders’ own backyard—and heading into Saturday’s Democratic debate in Manchester, the Vermont senator planned to energize a local crowd in an attempt to overtake front-runner Hillary Clinton in the polls.

Sanders instead was forced to lead off by apologizing for his staffers’ improper access to a voter database, while Clinton appeared to strike more of a chord with the Granite State crowd.

“I apologize,” Sanders offered Clinton on the debate stage, a day after he fired a staffer for accessing data belong to her campaign. Clinton accepted the apology and suggested they move on.

The ABC debate at Saint Anselm College was the third for the Democrats. A recent RealClearPolitics analysis showed Clinton with a 25-point lead over Sanders in national polls. In New Hampshire, Sanders holds a 4-point edge.

But it was Clinton who appeared to energize the local crowd the most—especially when she mentioned Market Basket workers’ profit-sharing as a model for other companies. Workers at the New England-based company went on strike last year in a successful bid to protect their benefits.

Clinton focused on attacking Donald Trump—claiming he’s a recruiting tool for ISIS.

“I worry greatly that the rhetoric coming from the Republicans, particularly Donald Trump, is sending a message to Muslims here in the United States and literally around the world that there is a clash of civilizations ... that there is some kind of western plot or even war against Islam, which then I believe fans the flames of radicalization,” she said.

Sanders played up for free college tuition plan, while Martin O’Malley, who’s barely registering in polls, engaged in the strategy of playing up his youthfulness compared to his challengers. On the topic of Syria, he interjected, “Can I offer a different generation’s perspective on this?”

The comment drew gasps from the crowd. O’Malley is 52 years old; Sanders and Clinton are 74 and 68, respectively.

The next Democratic debate is Jan. 17 in Charleston, South Carolina. The New Hampshire primary is Feb. 9.