Is The Sanders Campaign "Going Negative"?

>

The Clinton campaign is accusing the Sanders campaign of "going negative." It's all over the news today. Did Sanders really "go negative"? Or is this Clinton accusation just an attempt to "muddy the waters" as Clinton's attacks on Sanders' health care plans backfire?

In The News: Clinton Campaign Says Sanders "Going Negative"

The Clinton campaign has accused the Sanders campaign of "going negative." Here are a few examples of what's going on in the news:

ABC: Clinton Campaign Accuses Bernie Sanders of Breaking Pledge Not to Go "Negative"...

"The Clinton campaign held an abruptly scheduled conference call with reporters this afternoon to respond to the ad.

"'We were very surprised today to see that Bernie Sanders had launched a negative television advertisement against Hillary,' Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said.

"'This ad does something that Bernie said he wouldn't do,' campaign pollster Joel Benenson added, referring to how the Vermont Senator has said he will not run negative campaign ads."

Similar story in The Guardian: Clinton campaign "surprised" over Bernie Sanders's new "negative" TV ad

The Hill: Clinton campaign decries Sanders's "negative ad"

What Are They All Talking About?

Here is what they're talking about. The Sanders campaign is running this ad...

Negative? You might have to play that ad a few times to even get what the Clinton people are upset about. MSNBC explains what it is, in New Sanders ad takes aim at Clinton's Wall Street donors,

"In what is by far his most toughest TV ad yet, Bernie Sanders took a not-so-subtle swipe at rival Hillary Clinton's Wall Street donations in a new spot that will soon be broadcast in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"'There are two Democratic visions for regulating Wall Street,' Sanders says, looking straight at the camera. 'One says it's okay to take millions from big banks and then tell them what to do.'

"'My plan: break up the big banks, close the tax loopholes, and make them pay their fair share. Then we can expand health care to all and provide universal college education,' he continues. 'Will they like me? No. Will they begin to play by the rules when I'm president? You better believe it.'"