8 top moments from the South Carolina Democratic debate
Washington — Democrats took aim at frontrunner Bernie Sanders at the 10th debate of the presidential primary cycle, as former Vice President Joe Biden appeared revitalized ahead of one of the most consequential contests of his political career.
The debate in Charleston was the last time the candidates will meet before Saturday's pivotal South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday on March 3, which could spell the end of the road for several candidates. Biden has long been leading in the Palmetto State, which has a large African American population, although Sanders has about Fidel Castro and the current Cuban regime.
In Sunday's interview, Sanders said: "We're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but, you know, it's unfair to simply say everything is bad. You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?"
Asked about those comments at the debate, Sanders said he was echoing sentiments expressed by President Obama.
"Really? Literacy programs are bad?" he said. "What Barack Obama said is they made great progress on education and healthcare."
His opponents seized on those remarks.
Buttitieg accused Sanders of "making excuses," while Biden defended Obama and said Sanders mischaracterized his past remarks on Cuba.
"The fact of the matter is [Obama] in fact does not, did not, has never embraced an authoritarian regime and does not now," Biden said. "This man said that in fact he did not condemn what they did."
Democrats pressed on how they would respond to coronavirus outbreak
As the Trump administration grapples with the growing coronavirus outbreak, Klobuchar, Biden and Sanders last week his company would release three women from their confidentiality agreements who complained about derogatory comments he made.
"I don't know what else she wants us to do," Bloomberg said of Warren. "We're following exactly what she wants us to do."
Warren also criticized Bloomberg for his past support of Republican candidates, including Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and her own Senate opponent, Scott Brown.
"I don't care how much money Michael Bloomberg has," she said. "The core of the Democratic Party will never trust him. He has not earned their trust."
Bloomberg says Russia wants Sanders to win
In an attempt at levity in between the sparring among candidates, Bloomberg invoked his performance at last week's debate in Las Vegas and suggested he handedly defeated his fellow Democrats in his first appearance on the debate stage.
"I really am surprised that all of my fellow contestants up here, I guess would be the right word for it given nobody pays attention to the clock, I'm surprised they show up because I would've thought after I did such a good job at beating them last week they would be a little bit afraid to do that," Bloomberg said.
The former New York City mayor was the subject of numerous attacks from the candidates last week as they criticized his past support for stop-and-frisk, his derogatory comments about women and deep pockets.
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Candidates get heated in last debate before South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday
