Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) quickly moved to correct Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) at the Democratic primary debate in Iowa on Tuesday after he refuted Warren’s claim that she was the only candidate onstage to have defeated a Republican incumbent over the last 30 years.
“The men on this stage have lost 10 elections,” Warren said, pointing out that she and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.) were the only candidates onstage who had never lost an election.
“The only person who has beaten an incumbent Republican any time in the last 30 years is me,” Warren added.
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“Just to set the record straight, I defeated an incumbent Republican running for Congress,” Sanders said later when it was his turn to speak.
“When?” Warren asked.
“1990,” Sanders responded as Warren appeared to count in her head. “That’s how I won. I beat an incumbent congressman.”
“Thirty years ago?” Warren said. “I said I was the only one who’s beaten an incumbent Republican in 30 years.”
“Well, 30 years ago is 1990, as a matter of fact,” Sanders said. “But I don’t know that that is the major issue of the day.”
Bernie Sanders: Just to set the record straight I defeated an incumbent Republican running for Congress
Click Here: New Zealand rugby storeElizabeth Warren: Wasn’t it 30 years ago… #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/4UhWF6SWcq— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) January 15, 2020
Sanders defeated former Vermont Republican Rep. Peter Smith in 1990 to win his House seat. Smith was in his first term.
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The exchange comes amid newfound tension between the Sanders and Warren campaigns.
CNN reported — and Warren confirmed — on Monday that Sanders told her in a private meeting in 2018 that he did not believe a woman could be president.
Sanders disputed the remarks at Tuesday’s debate.
“Anyone who knows me knows that it is incomprehensible that I do not think a woman could be president of the United States,” he said.