Hillary Clinton Scolds Bernie Sanders Over ‘Establishment’ Wisecrack

Hillary Clinton is coming out swinging at Bernie Sanders over comments he made about her supporters.

On Tuesday, Sanders responded to a question by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow about recent Clinton endorsements by Planned Parenthood and Human Rights Campaign, saying, “What we are doing in this campaign — and it just blows my mind every day, because I see it clearly — we’re taking on not only Wall Street and the economic establishment, we’re taking on the political establishment.”

Sanders went on to say, “I have friends and supporters in the Human Rights Fund, in Planned Parenthood. But you know what, Hillary Clinton has been around there for a very, very long time and some of these groups are, in fact, part of the establishment.”

Also Read: Bernie Sanders Opens Double-Digit Lead Over Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire

That didn’t sit well with Clinton who took to Twitter soon after the interview to blast the Vermont senator for insinuating that Planned Parenthood and HRC are part of the establishment.

“Really Senator Sanders?” Clinton tweeted, citing the Twitter handles for Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign. “How can you say that groups like @PPact and @HRC are part of the ‘establishment’ you’re taking on? –H.”

Really Senator Sanders? How can you say that groups like @PPact and @HRC are part of the "establishment" you're taking on? -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2016

Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign also chimed in.

“We respect @SenSanders. Disappointed to be called ‘establishment’ as we fight like hell to protect women’s health,” Planned Parenthood wrote.

HRC tweeted, “We share @PPact’s disappointment in Sanders’ attacks. @HRC has proudly taken on the establishment & fought for LGBT people for over 30 years.”

Also Read: Ratings: Democratic Debate Nets 10 Million Viewers for NBC

The heated exchange is yet another sign of just how competitive the Democratic primary race has become in recent weeks. Adding fuel to the fire: a new CNN/ORC poll released on Tuesday showing Sanders widening his lead in the crucial early voting state of New Hampshire, where he outpaces Clinton by a stunning 27 percent.

Watch Sanders’ interview with Maddow here.

Top Google Question of Democratic Debate: 'Will Hillary Clinton Get Prosecuted?'

Democratic Debate: The 6 Hardest Hits by Clinton, Sanders and O'Malley

Democratic Debate: Bernie Sanders Says Bill Clinton's Behavior 'Deplorable,' Is Annoyed by Question