“Which enemy are you most proud of?” The question put to the Democratic candidates for US president toward the end of their first debate yielded perhaps the most revealing answers of the night—from Hillary Clinton, who has no shortage of enemies, to Jim Webb, who had one very specific person in mind.
Here’s what they said, in the order in which they were asked by CNN moderator Anderson Cooper at the Oct. 13 debate in Las Vegas.
Lincoln Chafee, former Rhode Island governor and ex-US senator:”I guess the coal lobby. I’ve worked hard for climate change and I want to work with the coal lobby, but in my time in the Senate, I tried to bring them to the table so that we could address carbon dioxide. I’m proud to be at odds with the coal lobby.”
Martin O’Malley, former Maryland governor: “The National Rifle Association.”
Hillary Clinton, former US secretary of state and ex-US senator: “Well, in addition to the NRA, the health insurance companies, the drug companies…the Iranians…. probably the Republicans.”
Bernie Sanders, US senator from Vermont: “As someone who has taken on probably every special interest that there is in Washington, I would lump Wall Street and the pharmaceutical industry at the top of my list of people who do not like me.”
Jim Webb, former US secretary of the Navy, ex-US senator, Vietnam War veteran: “I’d have to say the enemy soldier that threw the grenade that wounded me….but he’s not around right now to talk to.”