During MSNBC's Thursday Democratic town hall, moderator José Díaz-Balart asked Hillary Clinton if she should be held accountable for what her husband, President Bill Clinton, did during his administration. Her answer got a negative response from the crowd.
"On his plane ride or flight here, Senator Sanders attacked your husband's legacy," Díaz-Balart said. "And I have a quote. He said, ‘Bill Clinton was the president who led the effort to deregulate Wall Street, was the president who fought for the disastrous NAFTA trade agreement, was the president who pushed this so-called welfare reform, which was absolutely disastrous for low-income people.’ Should you be held accountable for your husband’s—"
Clinton struck a defiant tone in her response, claiming that Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and socialist, was not giving an accurate account of her husband’s record because he was new to the Democratic party.
"I just don't know where all this comes from," Clinton said. "Maybe it's that Senator Sanders wasn't even a Democrat before he decided to run for president, so he doesn't even know what the last two Democratic presidents did."
Clinton also claimed that Sanders had attacked President Obama, possibly in an attempt to shore up support with the coalition of Obama supporters that is central to her candidacy.
"I know that Senator Sanders has also attacked President Obama. He’s called him weak, disappointing. He tried to get someone to run against him in the 2012 election in the primary," Clinton said.
Clinton’s answer prompted boos from the crowd. She responded by repeatedly saying "it’s true."
Transcript below:
HILLARY CLINTON: In fact, African-American families, Latino families had an even higher than average increase in income. Created some great economic development programs like, you know, the empowerment zones and the new market tax credits, so, I know that Senator Sanders has also attacked President Obama. He’s called him weak, disappointing. He tried to get someone to run against him in the 2012 election in the primary. I just don't know where all this comes from because maybe it's that Senator Sanders wasn't really a Democrat until he decided to run for president. He doesn't even know what the, you know, last two Democratic presidents did. well, it's true. it's true. you know it's true. I mean, it happens to be true.