Clinton, Sanders lock horns in fierce debate in Flint

United States presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders indulged in fierce and substantive debate in Flint, Michigan, last night disagreeing over key progressive issues like trade, guns and the auto industry bailout.

During the Democratic debate, both joined forces calling on the resignation of Machigan Governor Rick Snyder over the city's water contamination crisis.

As they took on the stage, it was announced by Associated Press that Sanders had won the Democratic caucuses in Maine, his eighth victory in the 2016 presidential primary race.

Sanders thanked Maine's voters and looked forward to Tuesday's primaries in Michigan and Mississippi.

Sanders and the former secretary of state had one of their sharpest exchanges on several topics, including trade and job creation.

"Secretary Clinton supported virtually every one of the disastrous trade agreements written by corporate America," Guardian quoted Sanders as saying.

Clinton replied that Sanders had voted against the money that ended up saving the auto industry and stated that this was a pretty big difference according to her.

Sanders attacked Clinton's past support for international trade agreements, one of the attempts made to win blue-collar votes against her in Michigan.

Both Sanders and Clinton have been campaigning hard in Michigan, which holds its primary on Tuesday.

During the debate, both also tussled over whether gun manufacturers should be legal liable when their weapons are used in crimes.

While Clinton said that giving immunity to gun makers and sellers was a terrible mistake, Sanders said that his support for the 2005 law was an effort to protect small gun shops in his home state of Vermont.

Sanders told the audience in Flint that Clinton's approach could amount to ending gun manufacturing in America.

Clinton hit back at Sanders while recalling the Sandy Hook massacre.

Highlighting corporate greed on the part of Sanders, she said that the gun manufacturers sold guns to make as much money as they could.

"It was quite mild compared to Republicans, and I also think it was really substantive. It's not even in the same universe as the Republican debate, but he does seem to be frustrated and that was apparent," Guardian quoted Clinton as saying after the debate.