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Tensions High From The Start As Clinton, Sanders Slug It Out In Democratic Debate

MILWAUKEE (CBSNewYork/AP) -- After splitting the first two voting contests, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders took their increasingly heated fight for the Democratic presidential nomination back to the debate stage Thursday night.

As CBS2's Jessica Schneider reported, the debate was the first since Sanders beat Clinton by 22 points in New Hampshire.

With both candidates jockeying for an advantage as the race heads toward delegate-rich states, tensions flared from the get go.

"I'm ready to go into the White House on January 20, 2017 and get to work," Clinton said.

Sanders fired back.

"Secretary Clinton, you aren't in the White House yet!" he said.

Clinton attempted to bolster her appeal with minorities, particularly black and Hispanic voters.

Clinton said in her first comments that she wants to "knock down all the barriers that are holding America back.''

"We have to do much more to ensure that Wall Street never wrecks Main Street again. I want to tackle those barriers that stand in the way of too many Americans right now. African Americans who face discrimination… hardworking immigrating families, guaranteeing that women's work finally gets the equal pay it deserves," she said.

Hours before the debate, a coalition of black lawmakers formally endorsed her, calling her a long-term partner who understands racial divides in America.

Clinton also boasted her healthcare credentials.

"Before it was called Obamacare, it was called Hillary care," she said.

Sanders, who has demonstrated broad appeal with young voters and liberals used his opening statement to introduce himself to voters unfamiliar with his campaign, and invoked issues important to minority voters.

"I think we have to understand that in the last 30 years in this country there has been a massive shift of wealth. The richer are getting richer, the poor getting poorer," he said.

He used the debate to continue to establish his status as a political outsider.

"American people are tired of establishment politics. Tired of establishment economics. They want a political revolution," he said.

Sanders also lamented that there are more people in jail in the U.S. than other countries.

He said Americans see kids getting criminal records for marijuana arrests while Wall Street executives go unprosecuted despite billion-dollar settlements for misconduct.

The pair clashed over a 2007 vote on an immigration overhaul bill.

The dispute came after both Clinton and Sanders blasted Republicans for opposing the liberalization of immigration laws and a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people who are living here illegally.

Clinton voted for the bill, but both agreed that there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform.

"We've got to stand up to the Trumps of the world who are trying to divide us up," Sanders said.

Clinton concurred, saying she hoped Republicans realized the U.S. would not deport 11 to 12-million people.

Clinton holds a lead in Nevada and South Carolina. Nevada holds its caucus on February 20, and South Carolina Democrats vote on February 27.

The next Republican debate is Saturday on CBS. Coverage begins at 9 p.m.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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