Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Martin O'Malley appear during a Democratic presidential primary debate. Democrats carefully avoid saying 'Islam'

Hillary Clinton may have talked tough Saturday night about defeating terrorists, but her desire to avoid uttering one word immediately led Republicans to declare her weak.

That word? Islam.


Clinton, along with fellow Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley, took pains to avoid linking terrorist networks — including Islamic State extremists believed responsible for Friday's carnage in France — to the religion of 1.5 billion people.

Clinton, for one, repeatedly used the term "jihadist" instead, going further than even the Obama administration likes. It prefers "violent extremist."

But when pressed on whether using "radical Islam" was more appropriate, the former secretary of state said it was unwise to "be painting with too broad a brush" because it could alienate allies in the Muslim world.

"I don’t think we’re at war with all Muslims. I think we’re at war with jihadists," Clinton said, adding, "you can talk about Islamists who also are clearly jihadists."

Sanders, a Vermont senator, declared "I don’t think the term is what’s important" before going on to blast terrorist groups that want to make women "third-class citizens." And O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, said it was critical not to damage relations with Muslim-Americans who "are our first line of defense" against extremism.

Republican presidential candidates were quick to criticize the Democrats for what they have long said is a failure to fully understand the enemy's ideology and motivations.

"Yes, we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism," tweeted former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Mike Huckabee tweeted: "You're all grown up now. You can do it. Three words. Ten syllables. Say it with me: 'Radical Islamic terrorism.'"

Rick Santorum directed his criticism directly at Clinton: "Yes, @HillaryClinton we are at war with radical Islam! You are not qualified to serve if you cannot even define our enemy!"

How to refer to the armed fighters wreaking havoc in the Middle East and beyond has been a sensitive issue ever since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, especially as Muslims in the United States came under suspicion.

During Saturday's debate, Clinton pointed out that in the aftermath of the attacks, then-President George W. Bush, a Republican, reached out to the Muslim community even as he rallied the country for the battle against Al-Qaeda.

Clinton noted that Bush visited a Washington mosque where he said “the face of terror is not the true faith of Islam."