FLINT, MI -- The crowd inside The Whiting Auditorium in Flint Sunday night let the candidates know their feelings before, during, and after the CNN Democratic presidential debate.

Applause rose and fell at times, with Bernie Sanders supporters clapping loudly during his answers and some Hillary Clinton supporters rising in their seats at points to give their candidate a boost during the two-hour debate session between the candidates.

Bob Vallier, 60, of Flint, labeled himself as a Sanders fan, but he noted the path to another Democrat in the White House pushes him towards Clinton.

"I think her policies are going to be more realistic, and I really appreciate everything she's going to bring into being president, having been First Lady, having been Secretary of State, having been a senator and looking back into her life how much she's dedicated to the common man," he said.

Denise Ghattas was one of a few residents who had the chance to ask a question of the candidates during the debate, asking Sanders and Clinton about what they pray about in their personal lives.

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debate in Flint amidst city's water crisis 109 Gallery: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debate in Flint amidst city's water crisis

"I'm still undecided," she said following the debate "What I was hoping was that Senator Sanders would talk about how relevant God was in his personal life, as far as looking for a leader and looking for a president where does he get his wisdom and inspiration. He answered it politically and not personally."

She was more impressed with Clinton's response.

"I absolutely thought her response was right on," Ghattas said. "It could have gone a little political, but I knew that was really who she was when she said she prays, when she prays to whom she prays. She answered my question."

Mohammad Elchawich, 21, senior at University of Michigan-Dearborn, called the debate "a fantastic event," with both candidates sticking mostly to policy and not rhetoric.

"They spoke about all the issues, but in terms of who is more credible, who is more relevant, I would definitely go more towards Bernie Sanders. He is a guy who doesn't shy away from the issues," said Elchawich. "Although he doesn't have very specific plans, he is the best transition to a president that could represent the values that we embody as an American people."

Flint resident Melissa Mays, one of the leaders in raising the water issue to a national stage that prompted the debate to come to Flint, was pleased at hearing some meat to plans from both candidates on fixing the city's woes.

"It was nice to see while part of me is thinking they are doing it here basically to help their campaign, on the other hand the spotlight has been on Flint and it needs to stay on Flint until the problems are solved," she said. "This is a horrible example of a complete manmade disaster."

As far as the candidate who she sided with in their response, Mays was more of a Bernie backer at night's end.

"When Bernie Sanders talked about the MDEQ and getting rid of anybody that had to do with the cover up, I really appreciated that," she said.