During Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate in Flint, Michigan, both candidates called on Republican Governor Rick Snyder to resign after his disastrous handling of the lead poisoning of the city’s water supply line.
Bernie Sanders used his opening statement to address the crisis and go after the governor, repeating his leading January call for Snyder to resign. “I’ll start by saying Amen to that,” rival Hillary Clinton echoed to begin her opening statement, adding that Snyder should be recalled if he fails to resign. So far, The Board of State Canvassers has approved two recall efforts against the governor and many residents are calling for his arrest over the lead contamination. Based on his defensive live-tweeting of CNN’s Democratic debate, it is apparent the self-proclaimed “one tough nerd” heard the messages loud and clear.
First, the governor tweeted an innocuous fact sheet on the Flint water crisis, using the hashtag #FlintFWD to convey a message of hope and optimism:
There are many questions about the #FlintWater crisis. Get the facts & learn how we're working to move #FlintFWD pic.twitter.com/jxVaFv4vne
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
But soon after the Democratic presidential candidates got pointed about Snyder’s handling of the massive poisoning, the supposed technocrat got irritated:
This was never about money. This was a failure of government at all levels that could be described as a massive error of bureaucracy.
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
Of course, that’s just typical Republican deflection. More of the “government is the problem, not the solution” mantra, only this time Michigan officials made sure government became the problem in an apparent effort to reinforce the mantra. Hate to say it, but Snyder is still repeating the drivel in his defense!
And what about the party of personal responsibility, you ask?
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
— 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
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
In a few days, political candidates will be leaving #Flint and Michigan. I am committed to the people of Flint. https://t.co/lejBrxwhIi
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
In a few days, political candidates will be leaving Flint and Michigan.
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
They will not be staying to help solve the crisis, but I am committed to the people of Flint.
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
I will fix this crisis and help move Flint forward.
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) March 7, 2016
Watch the Democratic candidates take on the Flint water crisis during CNN’s Flint debate below:
