Edward Snowden elicited the sharpest Democratic debate divide of the night
BBC Panorama/screenshot
But one topic - and person - produced a clear divide: Edward Snowden and National Security Agency surveillance.
The Democratic front-runner and former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, unequivocally rejected the characterization of Snowden by many as a "whistleblower."
She said Snowden should return to the US and "face the music."
"He broke the laws of the United States. He could have been a whistleblower. He could have gotten all of the protections of being a whistleblower," Clinton said.
"He could have raised all of the issues that he has raised. And I think there would have been a positive response to that. In addition, he stole very important information that has unfortunately fallen into a lot of the wrong hands. So I don't think he should be brought home without facing the music."
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) agreed. He said Snowden put US "lives at risk" and questioned his decision to "run to Russia."
"Snowden put a lot of Americans lives at risk. Snowden broke the law. Whistleblowers do not run to Russia and try to get protection from Putin. If he really believes that, he should be back here," O'Malley said.
But Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), the race's liberal insurgent, took a more sympathetic view of Snowden and pledged to end the NSA's surveillance programs as they are currently constructed.
I think Snowden played a very important role in educating the American people to the degree in which our civil liberties and our constitutional rights are being undermined. He did break the law and I think there should be a penalty to that. But I think what he did in educating us should be taken into consideration before he is sentenced.
Lincoln Chafee, the former governor and US senator from Rhode Island, agreed and said he would bring Snowden home.
"No, I would bring him home. … The American government was acting illegally, that's what the federal courts have said," Chafee said.
Finally, former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virginia) said that though he believes there's a "serious problem" with the NSA's programs, the final word on Snowden should rest with the US legal system.
"I would leave his ultimate judgment to the legal system," he said. "Here's what I do believe: We have a serious problem in terms of the collection of personal information in this country."
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market