In the wake of the deadly Paris attacks that left at least 129 dead and scores more injured, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is seeking to remind voters of all that's at stake in the ongoing battle to gain control of the White House.

Hillary Clinton

"This election is not only about electing a president," NPR reports she told the crowd during her party's most recent debate. "It's also about choosing our next commander in chief."

And with that, Clinton seemingly tried to distinguish herself from President Barack Obama, the man she previously served under as secretary of state. Obama previously declared that the Islamic State militant group, now claiming responsibility for the attacks, was by-and-large been contained.

"I think that we have to look at ISIS as the leading threat of an international terror network," she said. "It cannot be contained, it must be defeated."

Still, as a matter of policy, Clinton seemed to stay in lockstep with Obama, maintaining that the U.S. should not be the ones leading the charge against ISIS. Still, she added, "American leadership is essential."

Bernie Sanders

Beyond expressing his sympathies to the victims and all the people of Paris, Clinton's primary rival for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, largely steered clear of the subject of terrorism during debate night, quickly pivoting back to his bread and butter issue of the economy and income inequality.

"I'm running for president, because as I go around this nation I talk to a lot of people," the Vermont independent said. "And what I hear is people concerned that the economy we have is a rigged economy."

When pressed on the issue of national security and what he sees as the country's greatest threat, Sanders held firm to his previous response of climate change. "Absolutely," he told CBS moderator John Dickerson when asked if he still stands by his answer. "In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism," he added, indicating that limited supplies of water and land to grow crops could ultimately lead to all kinds of international conflict.

Martin O'Malley

Long-shot candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley took exception with Clinton's stance on terrorism.

"This actually is America's fight," O'Malley said. "This is the new sort of challenge, the new sort of threat that does, in fact, require new thinking, fresh approaches and new leadership."