Story highlights Sanders says there was silence at the debate on race and health issues

The Vermont senator says the middle class is doing better in some socialist countries

Washington (CNN) Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Thursday defended his views about socialism after coming under fire at the Republican debate.

The Vermont senator, a self-described Democratic socialist, brushed aside charges from GOP candidates that his policies are too extreme and said the middle class in some socialist countries is fairing better than in America.

"I know for Governor (Bobby) Jindal, it is easy to try to frighten people, but I think if you look at some of the real success stories, there's in many of these countries, there's a lot that we can learn," Sanders said on CNN's "New Day."

The U.S. should entertain policies that will guarantee healthcare and make college more affordable like some smaller, European countries.

"I think, yes, the United States of America is a much larger and much more complicated society, a much more diverse society," Sanders said. "But there are things we can learn from other governments which have programs that represent working people."

Read More