With the New Hampshire presidential primary set for next Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton participated in their first one-on-one debate on Thursday night.

From the University of New Hampshire, the Democratic presidential debate focused heavily on Wall Street and both corporate and campaign finances.

Realistic Education & Higher Education Proposals

One of Clinton's campaign talking points is speaking on how unrealistic Sanders' proposals are, such as providing free public college and universal healthcare. Clinton said she shares some very big progressive goals such as universal healthcare but she does not want to encounter another health reform struggle in Congress.

"I don't want us to start over again," said Clinton, based on The Washington Post transcript. "I think that would be a great mistake, to once again plunge our country into a contentious debate about whether we should have and what kind of system we should have for healthcare. I want to build on the progress we've made; got from 90 percent coverage to 100 percent coverage. And I don't want to rip away the security that people finally have; 18 million people now have healthcare; preexisting conditions are no longer a bar. So we have a difference."

Clinton believes in affordable college but not free college. The former secretary of state cited experts' opinions that such costs would be uncontrollable.

"What I want to do is make sure middle class kids, not Donald Trump's kids, get to be able to afford college," said Clinton, adding she also wants to focus on jobs, manufacturing, infrastructure, wage increases and clean energy jobs.

According to Sanders, fellow developed countries such as Canada, France and the United Kingdom have managed to provide healthcare to all its residents, all while spending less per capita on health care compared to U.S. rates. He disagreed with the notion that the U.S. is unable to follow the same universal health care concept. He also disagreed with Clinton's notion that he would scrap the Affordable Care Act law while in the process of developing Medicare for all.

Acknowledging that the U.S. needs a well-educated workforce, the Vermont senator said, "This is 2016. When we talk about public education, it can no longer be K through 12th grade. I do believe that public colleges and universities should be tuition free. Well, how do we pay for that? It's an expensive proposition."

Sanders continued that student debt has to be lowered since it's "crushing" millions of people, yet Wall Street has been bailed out by taxpayers.

Being Progressive, Tackling Wall Street

Clinton, figuratively, hit Sanders for some rhetoric regarding Wall Street. She defended herself as a "progressive," and claimed Sanders' definition of the term would exclude President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, specifically noting that the president had received money from Wall Street but acted professionally. Clinton would then take the opportunity to criticize Sanders' congressional vote on gun control and the 2007 comprehensive immigration reform bill, which he voted against.

Sanders clarified on his view on Obama, stating the president is a progressive although the two do have their differences on topics such as trade agreements.

Sanders brought up voter turnout. He recognized that trillions of dollars have been spent from the middle class to the top one percent of income earners; he tied this fact to the campaign finance system, "which separates the American people's needs and desires from what Congress is doing." As he has said during his campaign trail, Sanders called for a political revolution, where the people stand up and fight back to demand the government to appropriately represent the population and not just certain campaign donors.

Sanders said, "What we need to do is to stand up to the big money interests, and the campaign contributors. When we do that, we can, in fact, transform America."

He reiterated that he's running without a Super PAC, unlike Clinton, who has had Super PAC support -- one particularly raised $15 million from Wall Street organizations and special interests.

"I think it's fair to really ask what's behind that comment, " said Clinton. "... Sanders has said he wants to run a positive campaign. I've tried to keep my disagreements over issues, as it should be, but time and time again, by innuendo, by insinuation, there is this attack that he is putting forth ... anybody who ever took donations or speaking fees from any interest group has to be bought, and I just absolutely reject that, senator. And I really don't think these kinds of attacks by insinuation are worthy of you. And enough is enough. If you've got something to say, say it directly."

Clinton said she has never changed a view or vote based on donations she's received.

Clinton has noted she received endorsements of former and current politicians who have served in political office, ranging from governors and members of Congress. Sanders, however, was quick to identify such endorsements as being part of the establishment, while he represents ordinary Americans who oppose the establishment. Clinton said being a woman running for president is an example of not being part of the establishment.

Islamic State 

Eventually, national security was introduced to the debate. Clinton defended Obama's decision not to send American combat troops to Iraq and Syria, but she is content with providing special forces, trainers and military personnel to eliminate the Islamic State militant group, but support has to be given to Kurdish and Sunni fighters.

Sanders spoke about the current conflicts in Iraq is stemmed from the Iraq War, which Clinton voted in favor in 2002. Clinton said the 2002 vote is not a plan to defeat ISIS. Sanders agreed with Clinton on how to dismantle the Islamic State, but added that the Middle East conflict must include Muslim troops on the ground but with the support of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Russia.

Flint's Water Crisis

In regards to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Clinton said the work being done to control the matter is not sufficient and the federal government should intervene -- and bill the state of Michigan. Sanders agreed with Clinton, but he went further to ask for the resignation of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

"One wonders if this were a white suburban community what kind of response there would have been. Flint, Michigan, is a poor community. It is disproportionately African-American and minority. And what has happened there is absolutely unacceptable," said Sanders."

Immigration & Criminal Justice Reforms

Immigration reform received a brief mention from the candidates. Clinton said immigration reform will be among her top items in her agenda. Sanders said he supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for 11 million people. He's agenda would also include crminal justice reform, which currently affects large African American and Latino populations.

VP Picks

Clinton was asked if she would consider Sanders as a vice presidential candidate, as an effort to unite the Democratic Party. Clinton said that she will unite the party but does not want to get ahead of herself on selecting a vice president, but she would call Sanders to discuss items. Sanders agreed that the candidates should not get ahead of themselves. 

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