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Bernie Sanders Zings Hillary Clinton At The Debate

by Abby Johnston

During Sunday night's Democratic debate, Bernie Sanders got a few cuts in at Hillary Clinton that seemed to land their mark, centering around the issue of trade and keeping jobs in the United States. In a quick one-two punch, the Vermont senator said that he's glad that Clinton "finally discovered religion" on trade policies that is currently stripping jobs away from Detroit-area. As he expanded on that comment, Clinton tried to butt in, to which Sanders replied, "Excuse me, I'm talking." Well! It seems like the Democratic debate heated up, and fast.

The whole exchange started when a debate attendee asked about keeping automotive jobs in the state of Michigan. Clinton responded that, under her leadership, would focus on punishing companies that exported jobs to other countries where they could save on labor. Clinton said that the companies would be charged an "exit fee" if they chose to move their headquarters. "We're going to stop this kind of job exporting, and we're going to start importing and growing jobs again in our country," Clinton said.

Sanders responded without hesitation when Cooper called on him: "I am very glad, Anderson, that Secretary Clinton has discovered religion on this issue," he said to "Ooooh"s from the crowd. "But it's a little bit too late."

Sanders continued to go in on Clinton: "Secretary Clinton supported virtually every one of these disastrous trade agreements written by corporate America." But Sanders' zingers didn't stop there. As Clinton's argument turned to the fact that Sanders had voted against the auto bailout that largely benefited Detroit, he refused to let her command the conversation.

"I voted to save the auto industry," Clinton said. "He voted against the money that ended up saving the auto industry. I think that is a pretty big difference." The Vermont senator then responded to that charge. "Well, if you are talking about the Wall Street bailout, where some of your friends destroyed this economy..." Clinton stepped in: "You know..." to which Sanders replied, "Excuse me, I'm talking."

Sanders continued about what he refers to as the "disastrous trade agreement" that Clinton helped push through. If there was a mic drop in this entire election, that was it. Needless to say, the gloves came off in Sunday night's debate. If you thought that the Democratic debates were completely civil, then that exchange was just another example of a twist in the weirdness of 2016.