Washington | Democrats swung their cannons on front-runner Bernie Sanders a week out from the crucial Super Tuesday vote, warning the left-leaning senator he would not only lose to Donald Trump but ensure decades of conservative election manipulation and judicial appointments.

A shouty, raucous but often hard-hitting 10th debate between the leading contenders in Charleston, South Carolina - which holds its primary vote on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) - turned into a trial by fire for Senator Sanders over everything from healthcare and support for Cuba to guns and electability.