During Thursday's Democratic debate on PBS, co-moderator Gwen Ifill managed to position Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as a presidential nominee that could change the course of history if he were elected; not based on his political career, values, or what he brings to the table, but simply for impeding Hillary Clinton in becoming the first female president.
"Senator, do you worry at all that you will be the instrument of thwarting history, as Senator Clinton keeps claiming, as she might be the first woman president?" Ifill asked.
Sanders did his best to recover from the jab:
Well, I think from an historical point of view, somebody with my background, somebody with my views, somebody who has spent his entire life taking on the big money interest, I think a Sanders victory would be of some historical accomplishment as well.
Clinton, desperate to stave off any criticism that she has the gall to think she deserves the presidency just because she is a woman, quickly chimed in with a shift to her "accomplishments":
I have said many times, you know, I am not asking people to support me because I'm a woman. I'm asking people to support me because I think I'm the most qualified, experienced and ready person to be the president and the commander-in-chief.
We shudder at the thought!
Sanders was feeling the "Hillary heat" on more than this occasion during the debate.
In another tense moment, Clinton attacked Sanders for daring to criticize President Obama and, at the same time, made clear her intentions to carry on Obama's legacy. She doubled down on her undying support, saying the president "doesn't get the credit he deserves" for inheriting the White House from the likes of George W. Bush.
"The kind of criticism that we've heard from Senator Sanders about our president I expect from Republicans, I do not expect from someone running for the Democratic nomination to succeed President Obama," Clinton said, lowering the hammer.
Sanders wasn't happy, and responded with, "Oh! Madam secretary, that is a low blow."
Sanders made it clear that he has more than backed the Obama administration's fight against Republicans, and reminded her of each of their involvement in the other's elections. Then he fired off:
But you know what? Last I heard, we lived in a democratic society. Last I heard, a United States senator had the right to disagree with the president, including the president who has done such an extraordinary job. So I have voiced criticism, you're right. Maybe you haven't… Have you ever disagreed with a president? I suspect you have.
We think she felt the "Bern." Watch below:
