ATLANTA — Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday criticized 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party, prompting a sharp back-and-forth with Sen. Kamala Harris.
The congresswoman from Hawaii and California senator were among 10 Democratic candidates debating Wednesday night in Atlanta.
Ms. Gabbard doubled down on earlier comments last month that Ms. Clinton is the “personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long.”
Asked to elaborate, Ms. Gabbard said Democrats are “no longer the party that is of, by and for the people, it is a party that continues to be influenced by the foreign policy establishment in Washington, by the military-industrial complex.”
For some reason, the moderators asked Ms. Harris to respond.
Ms. Harris responded by saying it’s unfortunate to have a candidate on stage who criticizes former President Barack Obama on Fox News, “buddied up” to Trump adviser Steve Bannon to get a meeting with President Donald Trump and wouldn’t call out a war criminal.
Ms. Gabbard responded that she “not going to put party interests first,” and accused Ms. Harris of “smears and innuendo.”
As she had in the past, Ms. Gabbard stood by her decision to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“I will meet with and do what is necessary” to end regime-change wars, she said.
Ms. Gabbard’s fondness for slamming Democrats has led some in the party to fear she’s laying the groundwork for a third-party run, something the congresswoman denies.
The Washington Post and The New York Times contributed.
First Published: November 21, 2019, 5:32 a.m.
