On Sunday night, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders met in the most contentious of the Democratic debates so far, with the presidential hopefuls trading blows on health care, Wall Street reform and Syria, and making it hard for the third participant, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, to get a word in edgewise.
Clinton hit Sanders on what she said was a change of direction in positions on health care and guns, while Sanders attacked Clinton for taking speaking fees from Wall Street banks.
There were moments when Sanders could not hide the frustration he felt, contorting his face in anger as Clinton accused him of calling President Barack Obama "weak" on Wall Street reform.
Throughout the evening, Clinton accused Sanders of changing the way his health care plan — which he released just hours before the debate — is funded.
Clinton to Sanders on health care plan: "I don't know if this is your plan now or the plan you introduced 9 times in Congress" #DemDebate— Mashable News (@MashableNews) January 18, 2016
Clinton also accused Sanders of flip-flopping on his support for gun manufacturer liability laws.
"I am pleased to hear that Senator Sanders has reversed his position on immunity," Clinton said.
Sanders, in return, called Clinton's attack on his gun position "disingenuous," adding he was "disappointed" in Clinton attacking his health care plan.
"I think Secretary Clinton knows that what she says is very disingenuous," Sanders said of his record on guns.
Sanders on changing position on gun company immunity for lawsuits: calls Clinton "disingenuous," cites his low NRA rating #DemDebate— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 18, 2016
The third candidate on stage, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, struggled to gain attention during the evening. Currently floundering in the low single digits in polls, O'Malley had to beg moderators for time, with his pleas being the most memorable part of his performance of the evening.
.@MartinOMalley begs for time. (gif by @marcusgilmer) pic.twitter.com/GYwKQikVRE— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) January 18, 2016
The race between Sanders and Clinton grew closer and more competitive this week, after new polling showed Sanders cutting into Clinton's lead in Iowa, and widening his lead over her in New Hampshire, with just 14 days to go before voters caucus in the Hawkeye State.
A reminder: There were warmer times in the Democratic race for the White House. pic.twitter.com/pN4NvqkVXS— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) January 18, 2016
If Sanders wins both states, the race between the two contenders will become a lot more closely fought than previously thought.
The debate took place in Charleston, South Carolina, the third state to cast votes in the primary and ironically the place that could be Clinton's firewall if she emerges from the first two states with two defeats.