In the final Democratic Debate before the candidates compete in Iowa, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Governor Martin O’Malley stated their cases for the coveted nomination from the Democratic Party. If you missed the debate, here are 5 takeaways that will drive the conversation going into Iowa.

1. Hillary Clinton Embraces Barack Obama’s Legacy

Hillary Clinton positioned herself as the champion and rightful heir to the Obama legacy throughout the debate. On healthcare, Clinton defended Barack Obama’s signature domestic accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, against the idea that Bernie Sanders wants to “tear it up and start over again pushing our country back into that kind of a contentious debate.” On finance reform, Clinton defended the presidents Dodd-Frank legislation regulating Wall Street. On foreign policy she shared memories of her time advising the president as Secretary of State. Clinton even went as far as attacking Sanders for not supporting President Obama, calling him weak, and attempting to recruit a primary opponent to challenge his presidential reelection in 2011. Sanders denied those claims, shooting Clinton an epic side-eye and noting that he and the President, “are friends.” With recent endorsements like that of former Attorney General Eric Holder, it is clear that Clinton is trying to win over Obama voters.

It wasn’t subtle.

2. Bernie Sanders Shares Radical Healthcare Plans

Two hours before the debate, Bernie Sanders released a radical new healthcare plan that would effectively end the private insurance industry, and replace it with a single payer health care system similar to medicare. Clinton pushed back on the plan arguing that we should strengthen the existing affordable care act instead. “We have the Affordable Care Act. Let’s make it work. Let’s take the models that states are doing. We now have driven costs down to the lowest they’ve been in 50 years. Now we’ve got to get individual costs down. That’s what I’m planning to do.” Sanders’ plan is a step towards the idea of universal healthcare, but questions remain concerning its political viability.

3. Martin O’Malley Notes Differences With Other Candidates

Martin O’Malley stationed himself as a more consistent progressive than his opponents. O’Malley detailed a plan for a 100% clean electric grid by 2050, and defended his liberal record on gun violence prevention and healthcare reform. O’Malley also highlighted the need for a new agenda for America’s cities, arguing that we have not had one since Jimmy Carter’s Presidency. Sadly, he struggled to find room on stage along with Clinton and Bernie.

4. Bernie Sanders Links All Problems Back To Wall Street & Campaign Finance

Whether the issue was congressional partisan gridlock or the economy, Sanders consistently questioned the ability of politicians to act against the wills of their donors. “Can you really reform Wall Street when they are spending millions and millions of dollars on campaign contributions and providing speaking fees to individuals?” Sanders asked during the debate. Sanders also consistently knocked Clinton on speaking fees she received from Goldman Sachs totaling over $600,000. Sanders is attempting to build the argument that only he can bring the changes the country needs because only he is uninfluenced by the big banks.

5. Clinton & Sanders Stand With Residents Of Flint, Michigan

Lastly, during the candidate’s final remarks, both Clinton and Sanders took time to rebuke Michigan Governor Rick Snyder for his mismanagement of the horrible water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Clinton noted, “We’ve had a city in the United States of America where the population, which is poor in many ways, and majority African-American, has been drinking and bathing in lead-tainted water and the governor of that state acted as though he didn’t really care. He had requests for help that he basically stonewalled.” Bernie Sanders went a step further, as he already has publicly, and called for the resignation of Gov. Snyder adding, “A man who acts that irresponsibly should not stay in power.” This showing of support should be a sign of hope for residents who may have been feeling ignored in the national political discussion.

Governor Snyder responded late on twitter:

To catch a recap of the debate, check out the video below.

BernieDebateHillaryPOLITICS