OPINION: How each candidate performed during the Democratic Presidential Debate in Flint
At the site of America's largest current infrastructure crisis, the two remaining Democratic candidates for President of the United States spoke passionately to a victimized community now weary of government and desperate for justice.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both made last-ditch pitches to Michigan voters, who will head to the polls in less than 48 hours for the party's primary election.
Here is how each candidate performed during Sunday night's Democratic Debate in Flint.
Clinton
She entered the debate with a 17-point lead in Michigan, and was mostly conservative with her remarks.
Clinton, for the first time, called for the resignation of Gov. Rick Snyder for the state's role in the Flint water crisis. Clinton said she would launch an investigation into all parties involved in causing the crisis, but declined to say whether she would pursue criminal charges against the officials in question.
Clinton's ideas on social issues and corporate regulations were thorough and convincing. She acknowledged her "blind spots" on racism and promised to "break down barriers" between minority groups in America and the upper class.
Oddly, Clinton did not makes much mention of the Republican Presidential Candidates during the two-hour long debate.That likely won't be the case moving forward.
Clinton is zeroing in on the nomination. A victory in Michigan would put her one step closer to a full-blown political battle with the GOP frontrunner, whoever that ends up being.
Sanders
The senator from Vermont started the debate very strong, but tapered through the second hour.
Sanders hammered home the messages that have become synonymous with his campaign. He said he would bust up the big banks, make public higher eduction free and give the entire country healthcare.
The crowd in Flint seemed mostly pro-Sanders. Unfortunately for him, Sanders failed to channel that energy for any sustained period of time.
His best moment of the debate came when discussing his Jewish heritage, something he had not done much before Sunday.
Overall, Sanders made a much more compelling case on issues important to progressives such as fracking and gun reform.
But the Wall Street critic continues to struggle with African American and older voters. Michigan has plenty of voters in both of those demographics. Both are likely to vote for Clinton.
With time and delegates running out, Sanders is going to need to make up some serious nationwide ground if he is going to make a late comeback for the nomination.
Sunday's debate effort might have been a step in the right direction, but time is likely running out on the self-proclaimed democratic socialist's campaign.
