Clinton, Sanders Add Flint As Host City For Democratic Debate
DETROIT (CBS Detroit/AP) - Democrats have finalized an agreement with the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders to hold a presidential debate on Thursday night in New Hampshire and three more debates later this spring.
The additional debates will include Flint, Michigan on March 6, and two other cities in April and May.
Clinton and Sanders are meeting Thursday in a debate at the University of New Hampshire just days before Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary.
Michigan's presidential primary is March 8.
Adding Flint as the backdrop for the debate will help keep the spotlight on the people of Flint, sickened by a man-made disaster which contaminated the water for residents, say Democratic candidates.
In April of 2014, in an effort to save money, Flint begins drawing its water from the Flint River instead of relying on water from Detroit. The move is considered temporary while the city waits to connect to a new regional water system. Residents immediately complain about the smell, taste and appearance of the water. They also raise health concerns, reporting rashes, hair loss and other problems.
Clinton narrowly defeated Sanders in Monday's Iowa caucuses but Sanders has a solid lead in New Hampshire. It will be the first debate since former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley dropped out of the race, leaving just Clinton and Sanders competing for the nomination.
Two other Democratic debates are scheduled for Feb. 11 in Milwaukee and March 9 in Miami.
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