By calling Clinton ‘unqualified,’ Sanders opens line of attack for Republicans

Published April 7, 2016 3:49pm ET



During any primary season, there’s a balancing act between ideological lines of attack that only hurt opponents during a primary, and the types of broader character attacks that could carry over to the general election. For instance, in 2012, attacks on Mitt Romney for not being a true conservative were less damaging to him in the long run than, say, Newt Gingrich’s attacking him for laying off people during his business career. The increasingly nasty fight between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders is now entering the state where Sanders is starting to say things that Republicans could use against Clinton in the general election.

At a rally Wednesday night, Sanders — responding to Clinton comments questioning his readiness to be president — went on an extended rant questioning her qualifications. “Let me just say in response to Secretary Clinton: I don’t believe that she is qualified if she is, through her super PAC, taking tens of millions of dollars in special interest funds. I don’t think you are qualified if you get $15 million from Wall Street through your super PAC.”

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