Clinton, Sanders Square Off In 7th Debate
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The seventh democratic debate broadcast in Spanish and English held at Miami Dade College didn't take long for things to get heated.
Hillary Clinton had to play defense as Univision's Jorge Ramos questioned her use of a personal server while secretary of state.
"If you get indicted, are you going to drop out?" Ramos asked the Democratic frontrunner.
"Oh for goodness, I'm not going to answer that question," Clinton responded.
Immigration was front and center.
"I will match my record against yours any day," Bernie Sanders fired off.
To an emphatic "let's do that" from Clinton.
Clinton pledged to take up immigration reform in her first 100 days in office – pointing out her support of Ted Kennedy's immigration reform bill in 2007.
"Imagine where we would be if we have passed immigration reform back then," she said.
Sanders, who voted against Kennedy's bill because he didn't agree with aspects of it, pledged to take action if elected.
"If the congress doesn't do its job, as the president of the United States I will using executive action," he said.
Questions from the audience included a woman asking for help because her husband had been deported.
"I will do everything I can to pass laws that bring families together," Clinton said.
Sanders has become popular for his policy to provide free healthcare and college education for all that a tax on Wall street would allegedly pay for.
Clinton challenged him on the numbers.
"This is going to be much more expensive than Mr. Sanders. If it sounds good to be true, it probably is," Clinton said.
Even though it was a Democratic debate, Republican front-runner Donald Trump got air time.
"Is Donald Trump a racist?" the candidates were asked.
"People can draw their own conclusions. You don't make America great by getting ready of everything that made America great," Clinton said.
Sanders is hoping to come out of the debate on top a day after his upset win in the Michigan primary.
Yet, even with the win, a new Quinnipiac University poll isn't doing him any favors. The poll has Clinton winning Florida whose primary is on March 15th.
However, Sanders told CBS4 in a one-on-one interview he's not worried about it.
"You are looking at a two to one margin by these polls. What do you say to that?" CBS4's David Sutta asked him.
"I would say that every state that I have contested, I started in Iowa, we were 50 points behind… ended up tied. In New Hampshire we were 30 points behind, we won by 30 points. In Michigan we were 30 points behind two weeks ago," he responded.
Sanders ended up winning Michigan. His success largely tied to young voters, just like the ones who turned out to his Tuesday rally at the James L. Knight center to "Feel the Bern!"
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to vote for Bernie Sanders because of free education for students like us," said student Naheeb Louis-Jean.
HUD Secretary Julian Castro is stumping in Miami for Clinton and said she is not taking Florida for granted.
"I know Secretary Clinton is focused on making sure that the campaign runs strong through next Tuesday here in Florida, and also of course for the general election, since this is a swing state, it's going to continue to be important," said Castro.
Florida is a winner-take-all primary with 99 delegates up for grabs.
Also on Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio rallied with home state supporters in Hialeah before Thursday's CNN GOP Debate at the University of Miami's Bank United Center. Rubio's rally will be held at Milander Stadium at 4800 Palm Avenue; doors open at 4 p.m. The Florida primary is said to be a make-or-break for the Florida Senator.
