US presidential race heats up

An uncompromising duel. With the former Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley out of the game after a disastrous showing in Iowa, the race for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party is basically down to two names: former secretary State Hillary Clinton and senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Friday morning saw the first face to face debate between the two and it turned into a three-round boxing match for the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday which will perhaps break the virtual tie between them. The arguments are the same (experience against common sense, knowledge against hope, progress against revolution), but the gloves came off this time.

The question to some extent is just what will be the focus of the Democrats from now on.

The socialist Sanders continued to accuse Clinton of being too moderate and representing the voice of a party structure anchored in the past. The senator reminded viewers again that his is the only campaign financed exclusively by individual voters and real “people.” The former secretary of state, eager to seduce young voters away from the senator, categorically denied that she is too centrist. “I'm just a progressive who likes to get things done.” she argued. Both candidates know each other's strengths and weaknesses well and on Friday they raised the level of their attacks. Sanders, well versed in the economy, has accused Clinton of siding with the financial markets which caused that current crisis, saying the system is corrupt and the US needs a “political revolution.”

Clinton in turn accused Sanders of “indirect defamation and innuendo” in his attacks on Wall Street. Clinton also cited Sanders' vote for war in Iraq as a lack of experience in foreign affairs.