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Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton Spar Over Transparency, Judgment

Hillary Clinton refuses to commit to releasing the transcripts of paid speeches she gave to Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs.
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Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton refuses to commit to releasing the transcripts of paid speeches she gave to Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs.

The former secretary of state was pressed on the issue Thursday night during a presidential debate in Brooklyn.

She said she would release the transcripts when every other candidate does the same. She immediately turned the tables on her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, calling on him to release his tax returns, something he had previously not committed to doing.

"There is a long standing expectation that everyone running release their tax returns," she said, noting that she's released 30 years worth.

Sanders responded by saying he would release his tax returns from 2014 Friday, April 15, which is traditionally tax day. (Taxes are due on Monday, April 18 this year.)

"Of course we will release our taxes. Jane does our taxes," Sanders said, referring to his wife. "They are very boring returns. ... Unfortunately I remain one of the poorer members of the Senate."

As for previous years, he said those returns would be released "shortly."

Sanders and Clinton are squaring off in their ninth matchup of the primary season. Three-fifths of the states have already voted and New York holds its primary Tuesday.

The rhetoric between the two candidates has become stinging and sometimes personal. After nearly a week of calling Clinton "unqualified," Sanders said Thursday night that "of course" she has the experience and intelligence to be president, but continued to question her judgment.

"I question her judgment," he said, pointing to her vote in favor of the Iraq War and her acceptance of support from super PACs.

Clinton retorted, saying the people of New York trusted her judgment, voting for her twice.

The two fiery candidates also clashed over Wall Street oversight, criminal justice reform, gun liability, regime change in Libya and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On the U.S.'s role in NATO, Sanders said the U.S. pays a disproportionate amount compared to the rest of western military alliance. It's a position similar to that of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.