The Democratic presidential debate on Tueday night turned into a college economics 101 class as the candidates elucidated their economic platforms along the lines of capitalism versus socialism.
Moderator Anderson Cooper questioned Bernie Sanders -- an avowed socialist who said Wall Street banks have "fraud as their business model" -- early on in the debate, asking him if his self-identification as a socialist might prevent him from being elected. Sanders pushed back against Cooper's characterization, saying that his stance as a socialist had to do with alleviating growing income inequality in the U.S.
The exchanged sent web searches for "socialism" climbing, as noted by an employee for Merriam-Webster.
'Socialism' spiking off the charts @MerriamWebster. #DemDebate— Peter Sokolowski (@PeterSokolowski) October 14, 2015
I never thought I would see this day: a real mainstream debate in a major party on capitalism vs socialism. #DemDebate— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) October 14, 2015
Clinton and Sanders engaged in first real head-to-head on capitalism, socialism #DemDebate— Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) October 14, 2015
Clinton, who had already labeled herself "a progressive who gets things done," distanced herself from the term of socialism and turned to talking about the merits of capitalism. She did, however, say that the government needs to "save capitalism from itself."
Clinton did not shirk the inequality topic, touching on it throughout her speech, particularly around the issues of minorities and unequal pay for women.
"When I think about capitalism, I think about all the small businesses..." - HRC Eye rolllllllllll. #DemDebate— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) October 14, 2015
Wall Street-backed millionaire Clinton says she wants to "save capitalism from itself" and "rein in the excesses of capitalism." #DemDebate— Ozer Khalid (@OzerKhalid) October 14, 2015
Impressed by #Hillary so far. "Socialism is not the solution. But occasionally we need to save capitalism from itself." #DemDebate— Josh Zepps (@joshzepps) October 14, 2015
Can we go back to Bernie and Hillary arguing about the shortcomings of capitalism because THAT WAS A DREAM I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD BE REAL.— Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) October 14, 2015
The mention of socialism sent Republicans into a spat of snark and outright condemnation.
Socialism like fascism and communism have no place in # America. #FreeMarket #Capitalism built this country— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) October 14, 2015
Democrats are debating whether capitalism is a good thing. Naturally. #DemDebate— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) October 14, 2015
Nothing promotes entrepreneurialism like socialism and big government, Bernie. Right on, man. Right on.— Colin Moriarty (@notaxation) October 14, 2015