Both Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to resign during their opening remarks at this Sunday's debate in Flint. Prison is where he belongs, but a resignation would be a start:
It was the first time Clinton had called for Snyder to resign. Sanders had previously called for Snyder's resignation.
"I agree the governor should resign or be recalled and we should support the efforts of citizens attempting to achieve that," Clinton said. "But that is not enough. We have to focus on what must be done to help the people of Flint. I support 100 percent the efforts by your senators and members of Congress to get the money from."
Sanders argued that the federal government should have taken a bigger role in cleaning up the area's drinking water. When asked if he would fire the head of the EPA, Sanders responded that he would fire "anyone who knew what was happening and did not act appropriately."
"President Sanders would make the point that how does it happen in the wealthiest country in the history of the world?" Sanders said. "How did we have so much money available to go to war in Iraq and spend trillions of dollars, but somehow not have enough money not just for Flint, the secretary is right. There communities all over the country. Not just infrastructure, but education. Detroit's public school system is collapsing."
And while they were debating, the Governor took to twitter in a sorry attempt to defend himself.
This was never about money. This was a failure of government at all levels that could be described as a massive error of bureaucracy.
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
I've proposed more than $230 million in additional aid for Flint, and have already delivered $70 million #FlintFWD
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
ICYMI: We've partnered with Michigan Works! to hire 81 Flint residents for water resource sites --> https://t.co/lclLFxTVs2 #FlintFWD
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
I'm taking responsibility as our value system says we should. My track record is getting things done, and I want to get this done. #FlintFWD
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
Details on the $30 million in water bill relief for #Flint residents at https://t.co/PEFihE7Qvz. No one should pay for water they can't use.
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016