--- title: Democratic Debate: Sanders, Others Hit Hillary Clinton Early description: democratic debate, democratic debate hillary clinton, bernie sanders canonical: https://time.com/4072568/democratic-debate-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-martin-omalley/ author: Tessa Berenson article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-10-14T01:27:23.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-14T00:33:53.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: 3 Ways Hillary Clinton's Rivals Threw Shade to Start the Debate og:description: Not-so-subtle knocks on the front-runner og:url: https://time.com/4072568/democratic-debate-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-martin-omalley/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltff4b1eeefa102b06/6988682c8e06014a73462d81/was8972749.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3800 og:image:height: 2138 og:image:alt: US-VOTE-DEMOCRATS-DEBATE og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 3 Ways Hillary Clinton's Rivals Threw Shade to Start the Debate twitter:description: Not-so-subtle knocks on the front-runner twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltff4b1eeefa102b06/6988682c8e06014a73462d81/was8972749.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 3 Ways Hillary Clinton's Rivals Attacked Her to Start the Debate > Sponsored content. 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Brief is TIME's Washington newsletter, written by senior correspondent Philip Elliott. It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, three times a week. It reaches 85,000 subscribers with a 37.0% open rate as of August 2026. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters.  by [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/)  ## Tessa Berenson Updated: Dec 14, 2023 12:33 AM UTCPublished: Oct 14, 2015 1:27 AM UTC  Hillary Clinton stands on stage during the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 13, 2015. Hillary Clinton stands on stage during the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 13, 2015.Frederic J. Brown—AFP/Getty Images  by [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/)  ## Tessa Berenson Updated: Dec 14, 2023 12:33 AM UTCPublished: Oct 14, 2015 1:27 AM UTC It didn’t take long for the other candidates on stage to take swipes at Hillary Clinton during [the first Democratic debate](http://time.com/4071814/democratic-debate-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-cnn-first/?xid=homepage) Tuesday, with three of them making subtle jabs at the frontrunner in their opening statements. “I have learned how to get things done because I am very clear about my principles,” Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said, in what seemed like a veiled swipe at Clinton’s shifting policy positions. “I’m very proud that over my almost 30 years of public service, I have had no scandals. I’ve always been honest. I have the courage to take the long-term view, and I’ve shown good judgment. I have high ethical standards,” former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee said, in what seemed like a reference to the controversy over Clinton’s email. “Millionaires and billionaires are pouring unbelievable sums of money into the political process in order to fund super PACs and to elect candidates who represent their interests, not the interests of working people,” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who does not have a super PAC backing him, said in seeming reference to Clinton’s super PAC. ### See an Intimate Portrait of Hillary Clinton  With an ice cream cone in hand, Hillary waves to the crowd in Weedsport, New York, as she heads to the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged in Auburn, New York, one of the stops on her Save America's Treasures tour, July 14, 1998. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Getting ready for President Clinton's second inaugural, Hillary gets her first glimpse of daughter Chelsea's short skirt. Jan. 20, 1997 Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  The President and the First Lady Share a private moment, one of their last in the Oval Office. Jan. 11, 2001. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Hillary checks her messages upon departure from Malta for the as-yet-undisclosed location, Tripoli, Oct. 18, 2011\. This photo was turned into a meme that circulated around the world. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Before an appearance with David Letterman, Hillary checks her BlackBerry while Diana Walker takes their picture. Feb. 4, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Hillary gathers her thoughts moments before her introduction at Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia. Apr. 18, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Hillary walks up the steps of the US Capitol to meet with Senate leaders. May 16, 2006. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME  Hillary enters a Super Bowl party at a bar and grill in St. Paul Minnesota, where she watches the New York Giants win the game, Feb. 3, 2008. 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