Clinton, Sanders Agree To Debate April 14 In Brooklyn Ahead Of New York Primary
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP)-- Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have agreed to a Democratic presidential debate next week ahead of the New York primary.
The two campaigns had previously agreed to debate, but there were reports that the parties had some difficulty setting a date. Clinton's campaign accused Sanders' team of playing "political games" with negotiating a date to meet.
The Democrats last debated in March and had been negotiating two more debates in April and May.
Clinton holds a lead among delegates but Sanders is hoping a win in Tuesday's primary in Wisconsin will help him build momentum in Clinton's home state.
The televised debate will be held in Brooklyn on April 14, five days before the state's April 19 primary.
Both candidates have personal ties to the debate site. Sanders was born and raised in Brooklyn. Clinton represented New York in the Senate and her campaign's headquarters is based in Brooklyn.
CNN will host the debate in partnership with Time Warner Cable News NY1.
"While the Republican primary has sunk deeper and deeper into chaos, the Democratic primary continues to show democracy at its best and we look forward to seeing our candidates debate next week," DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.
Clinton is favored to win New York, but her lead over Sanders keeps shrinking. Clinton was up by 40 points in New York last June and by 20 points in February, but only by 10 points in the most recent CBS News poll.
"I think we can win," Sanders said. "If we win in New York state, between you and me, I don't want to get Hillary Clinton more nervous than she is."
On Monday night upstate, Clinton reminded New Yorkers that she has won in the state before.
"I loved representing New York," she said. "It was the greatest honor imaginable that the people of New York took a chance on me in the 2000 election."
Wooing working class voters, Clinton is also linking herself to successful union-led efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Clinton joined New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Monday to praise the state's newly-approved minimum wage at a rally in New York City, predicting the higher threshold would "sweep'' the nation.
But Clinton hasn't embraced that standard in her own campaign platform, advocating instead for a national level of $12 an hour. But Clinton says she backs attempts by cities and states to set a higher standard.
Clinton said Monday that the country needs "to build on what was done here in New York and go all the way to was and raise the minimum wage for everybody.''
Democratic rival Bernie Sanders has made a $15 an hour wage a top issue of his candidacy.
He pledged to rebuild the middle class by opposing trade agreements that he said have cost American jobs and raising the minimum wage.
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