Bernie Sanders Says American People Fed Up with Clinton's 'Damn Emails'

— -- Bernie Sanders spoke directly to the controversy swirling over Hillary Clinton’s emails during the Democratic debate Tuesday night, saying "the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails."

“Let me say something. I think the secretary is right,” Sanders said about the ongoing investigations on Capitol Hill over the Benghazi attacks and Clinton’s use of a private email server to conduct government business.

“The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails!” he said during the CNN debate at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas.

Clinton laughed, smiled and unsurprisingly said she agreed. “Thank you," she said. "Me too."

The moment drew a standing ovation from the audience and Sanders said there were more pressing issues facing the country.

“I go around the country, talk to a whole lot of people. Middle class in this country is collapsing. We have 27 million people living in poverty. We have massive wealth and inequality. It's cost us millions of decent jobs," he said. "The American people want to know whether we're going to have a democracy as a as a result. Enough of the e-mails. Let's talk about the real issues facing America."

Clinton beamed, and shook his hand. "Thank you, Bernie. Thank you," she said.

The moment got a stamp of approval from Donald Trump, who tweeted:

But former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee said the truth about Clinton’s email was in fact important for credibility.

CNN debate moderator Anderson Cooper asked whether Clinton wanted to respond. Clinton gave a blunt reply, “No.”

Almost immediately, the Sanders campaign sent out an fundraising email referring to the moment.

The controversy surrounding Clinton's use of a private email server while Secretary of State has bogged down her campaign, and is believed to be one reason for her drop in poll numbers.

During the debate, Clinton reiterated that she takes responsibility for her mistake, and made reference to the congressional committee investigating Benghazi and her emails, which she said was created to bring down her campaign.

"I think it would be really unfair not to look at the entire picture," she said. "I think it's pretty clear what their obvious goal is."