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Democratic debate: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton face off in New York Democratic debate: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton face off in New York
(35 minutes later)
Tonight's debate is likely the last time Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton will go face to face during the Democratic primary process. Taking place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, it is unclear who can claim home court advantage.Tonight's debate is likely the last time Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton will go face to face during the Democratic primary process. Taking place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, it is unclear who can claim home court advantage.
With 2,383 delegates needed to secure the nomination, New York's upcoming April 19 primary offering up 247 delegates could prove to be the most important primary of the whole campaign. Sen. Sanders has 1,069 delegates and former Secretary of State Clinton has 1,758, a commanding lead.With 2,383 delegates needed to secure the nomination, New York's upcoming April 19 primary offering up 247 delegates could prove to be the most important primary of the whole campaign. Sen. Sanders has 1,069 delegates and former Secretary of State Clinton has 1,758, a commanding lead.
In his opening statement in the CNN debate, Sanders highlighted 7 million recent donations to his campaign, which averaged "$27 a piece," which is a talking point known well enough that Sanders' supporters in the audience chimed in in synchronicity.
Clinton praised New York values, promising to take them to Washington, DC and to "knock down those barriers that in any way" hold back the potential of individuals and the country.
Whether viewing from home or in person at the venue, spectators are showing their excitement, or lack thereof, on Twitter. Stay tuned to this space for live updates.Whether viewing from home or in person at the venue, spectators are showing their excitement, or lack thereof, on Twitter. Stay tuned to this space for live updates.
Sanders, right off the bat, went on the offensive, going after Clinton's vote to authorize the Iraq War, her support of "disastrous trade agreements," and her judgment in "running Super PACs" raising millions of dollars, "including from Wall Street."
Clinton fired back saying her own judgment credentials were approved by New York voters twice, and questioned Sanders for not being able to explain in a recent newspaper editorial interview how he would break up the big banks.
Clinton received some boos in an answer regarding banking regulations when she said she "was glad" that Sanders has begun talking about the Dodd-Frank Act. She added that she would "go further" in regulating financial institutions.
Continuing on the issue of how to hold Wall Street accountable, Clinton said, "I believe strongly that executives at any of these organizations should be financially penalized."
Asked for an example of how Clinton was influenced by Wall Street donations, Sanders noted her speeches to Goldman Sachs for "$250,000 a piece," which took place while he was pushing legislation to break up the banks, Sanders said.
Asked why not release the transcripts and "put [the issue] to bed," Clinton answered, "There isn't an issue. I did stand up to the banks. I did make it clear that their behavior would not be excused," blaming Sanders for de-regulating credit default swaps.
Pressed further on the issue, Clinton promoted her transparency with regard to releasing her tax returns, which she used to steer the topic to Donald Trump, who has not done so. Pressed further still, Clinton said she wouldn't release her transcripts until all candidates, including Republicans, do so.
Sanders promised to release transcripts of his speeches to Wall Street firms "from behind closed doors," of which there are none, he said. Then Sanders promised his tax returns would all soon be released, including the 2014 return on Friday.
Moving to the subject of Sanders' stance on the Verizon strike, which he attended this week, the Vermont senator said that not only would he force those jobs to come back from overseas, but that the minimum wage would be raised to $15 an hour. "A few cents more" for a McDonald's burger would be worth the price, he said.
"History has outpaced Secretary Clinton," Sanders said, claiming she only "suddenly" tonight expressed support for a $15 minimum wage.
Clinton claimed support of the unions leading the Fight for 15, but Sanders repeatedly hit her on previously supporting a $12 minimum wage. 
"We need a president who will stand up against the gun lobby," Clinton said, "And what we have here is a big difference," hitting Sanders' votes on liability for gun dealers who sell firearms used in crimes and voting against the Brady bill five times.