Charlie Rose Confronts Sanders: Aren’t You ‘Embarrassed’ by Dem Race Getting Nastier?

Charlie Rose confronted Bernie Sanders on CBS Evening News tonight how he has contributed to the increasingly personal nature of the fight between him and Hillary Clinton.

Sanders started out by defending his criticism that Clinton is not qualified to be president. But when Rose asked him point-blank if he honestly believes it, Sanders would not repeat the criticism.

He told Rose that he’s all in favor of an issue-oriented campaign and doesn’t want a “tit for tat” race, but as long as Clinton and her allies continue to attack him, he will continue to “respond in kind.”

Rose brought up the suggestion that the Democratic race sounds “more and more like the Republican campaign.” He grilled Sanders over his suggestion that Clinton should apologize for Iraq war deaths.

Sanders said that was only in response to her saying he should apologize to Sandy Hook victims’ families for his opposition to holding gun manufacturers liable. Rose pushed back and said blaming Clinton is not a good reason for engaging in a pretty bold attack like that.

Sanders did affirm Rose’s contention that he’s “embarrassed” by the tone of the campaign and would rather stick to the issues.

Watch above, via CBS.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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