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Flint Water, Free Trade, Gun Violence Take Spotlight In Democratic Debate

FLINT (WWJ) - The Flint water crisis dominated conversation as the Democrat candidates for president debated at Whiting Auditorium in Flint.

Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both called for Governor Snyder's resignation, while Hillary Clinton added there is plenty of blame to go around.

"A state should be sending money immediately - help this city. I know the state of Michigan has a rainy day fund for emergencies. What is more important than the health and well-being of the people, particularly children? It is raining lead in Flint," said Clinton.

Clinton went on to say that she wanted to address getting lead out of the water, soil and paint in the US.

Bernie Sanders says the situation in Flint was beyond belief.

"What I heard and what I saw literally shattered me and it was beyond belief that children in Flint, Michigan in the United States of America in the year 2016 are being poisoned - that is clearly not what this country should be about," said Sanders.

Sanders said that Centers for Disease Control "has got to come in here and examine every child and adult in this community in terms of the amount of lead they may have."

Governor Snyder responded via Twitter -- calling the Flint water crisis "a failure of government at all levels."

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are currently leading a pair of primary polls released ahead of Tuesdays primary in Michigan although Bernie Sanders was trending strongly among the younger voters during the debate and won the Maine caucaus Sunday night.

Several peaceful rallies were held ahead of the debates in Flint.

Bernie Sanders spoke to members of the media about what he sees as a big political problem just before the debate:

"American democracy is being undermined today, because we have billionaires and their SuperPacs buying elections," said Sanders. "But democracy means to me; 'if you want to disagree with me that's fine, if you want to vote against me - that's fine, but you don't have the right to buy an election."

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