In debate, Clinton and Sanders argue over who's more Obama-esque

After a congenial back-and-forth over policy details, Thursday night’s Democratic debate turned heated as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., each tried to claim the title of heir-apparent to President Barack Obama.

During the prime-time debate on PBS, Clinton attacked Sanders for his criticism of Obama after Sanders said the president hadn’t succeeded in closing the gap between Congress and the American people—something Obama himself has acknowledged.

“The kind of criticism that we’ve heard from Sen. Sanders about our president, I expect from Republicans,” Clinton said. “I do not expect from someone running for the Democratic nomination.”

Sanders fired back, calling Clinton’s jab a low blow and noting she ran against Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. He then gave a list of Obama-driven initiatives he supported in Congress.

“Last I heard, a United States senator had the right to disagree with the president, including a president who has done such an extraordinary job,” Sanders said.

Throughout the debate, Clinton repeatedly touted her closeness to the president during her tenure as secretary of state. Though in past debates, she and Sanders have worked to distinguish themselves from Obama, their strategies appear to be shifting as they prepare to compete for support from minority voters in Southern primaries. Obama won about 90 percent of the African-American vote in 2012, a voting bloc both candidates are eager to woo.

In addition to reaching out to minority voters, the candidates worked to shore up their campaigns’ weaknesses Thursday night. Sanders, known more for his domestic policy ideas, showed he has a strong memory of United States international relations in the past century. He gave examples as far back as Iran in the 1950s to show how the United States has supported regime changes that paved the path for radicalism to get a foothold in the Middle East. He called on the United States to get out of the business of deposing foreign rulers and criticized Clinton for her involvement in the overthrow of Libya’s Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.

But Clinton brushed off Sanders’ attacks and managed to stand her ground as the candidate with broader, more meaningful leadership experience. She also took more opportunities to attack Donald Trump and the Republican field, showing she is looking ahead to the general election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.