DHAKA: Hillary Clinton on Tuesday went on offense in the first Democratic presidential debate on gun control, foreign policy and the Republican probe of her email server, while also punching back against a quartet of primary rivals seeking to knock her out of front-runner status.

Hillary swept confidently into the campaign season's first debate, denying she flip-flopped on key issues for political gain and rebuking her top rival Bernie Sanders for not being tough enough on guns.

In a performance aimed at solidifying her lock on the Democratic nomination, she sought to pivot from a tough summer in which the controversy over her private email server triggered a slump in popularity ratings.

She proved to be a polished debater, showing little rust after enduring 25 debates during the 2008 campaign.

The former secretary of state dominated the opening exchanges, parrying questions on the depth of her political convictions and insisting she is a "progressive" despite the doubts of some on the left of the party.

"I have been very consistent," Clinton said. "Over the course of my entire life, I have always fought for the same values and principles, but, like most human beings, including those of us who run for office, I do absorb new information. I do look at what's happening in the world."

She quickly took shots at progressive challenger Sanders, first for his political philosophy.

Source: wsj,CNN

BDST: 1030 HRS, OCT 14, 2015
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