Bill Clinton: Sanders is the ‘blame candidate’

Former President Bill Clinton took a swipe at Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal primaries by casting him as the “blame candidate.”

“There’s a blame candidate and a responsibility candidate in this race,” he said outside a polling place in Illinois, according to footage shot by NBC News.

{mosads}”I bet the responsibility candidate is going to win.”

Clinton’s comments came as his wife, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, continues a last-minute push in states holding primary elections on Tuesday. A strong performance could add to her significant delegate lead, but Sanders is looking to gain ground with wins in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. 

President Clinton has hit the trail for a series of campaign events on behalf of his wife, but he’s been more muted than he was in 2008. During that primary, he found himself in hot water over repeated barbs about then-Sen. Barack Obama. 

Tad Devine, a top Sanders aide, downplayed the former president’s comments during an interview on MSNBC. 

“I don’t accept that. Bernie’s candidate is resonating … all across the nation because it’s what people really believe we need to do in this country,” he said.

“That’s what’s resonating, it’s not a question of blaming anybody, it’s a question of standing up to powerful interests on behalf of ordinary people.”