Obama visits Flint to address water crisis

Obama said Wednesday the Flint water crisis is the result of a limited government ideology that is as “corrosive” as the city’s river water that caused lead to leach from aging pipelines.

President Barack Obama at Northwestern High School in Flint.

President Barack Obama greets members of the audience.

"Little Miss Flint" Mari Copeny acknowledges President Barack Obama when he mentioned her during his remarks. It was Copeny's letter to the president that prompted his visit to Flint.

President Barack Obama arrives at Bishop International Airport in Air Force One for a visit to Northwestern High School in Flint.

President Barack Obama arrives at Bishop International Airport in Air Force One Wednesday afternoon for a visit to Northwestern High School in Flint on May 4, 2016.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder greets President Barack Obama as he arrives to Bishop International Airport in Air Force One.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence, from left, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Gov. Rick Snyder greet President Obama at Bishop International Airport.

Flint residents line the streets as President Obama's motorcade makes its way through Flint.

Air Force One arrives at Bishop International Airport in Flint.

Filtered drinking water sits on the tables during President Obama's meeting with other federal officials at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

President Obama drinks a sip of filtered Flint water during a meeting with federal officials at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. "Generally, I haven't been doing stunts, but here you go," he said before drinking.

The president vouched for the safety of certified filters and encouraged most city residents to start drinking filtered water instead of bottled water.

"If you're using a filter ... then Flint water at this point is drinkable," President Obama said.

President Barack Obama with Sylvia Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, left, and Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, right, and other Federal officials during a meeting at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint, Michigan on May 4, 2016.

Prior to his remarks at Northwestern High School President Obama participates in a round table discussion with Flint residents in the library in Flint, Michigan, on May 4, 2016.

President Obama takes part in a round table discussion with Flint residents.

A closed water fountain in one of the hallways at Northwestern High School in Flint.

A poster of President Obama in a hallway at Flint's Northwestern High School.

The half drunken glass of water at the podium after President Obama spoke at Northwestern High School in Flint.

President Obama walks off after his remarks at Northwestern High School in Flint.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder speaks at Northwestern High School before President Obama, as the audience loudly booed.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder enters the gym at Northwestern High School before giving remarks, to loud jeering and boos from the audience.

Flint resident Dan Kildee, United States Representative for Michigan's 5th District, takes a moment during his speech at Northwestern High School in Flint.

Karen Weaver, Mayor of Flint, comes out to loud applause before speaking at Northwestern High School in Flint on May 4, 2016.

Michigan politicians Rep. Dan Kildee, from far left, Rep. Sander Levin, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. John Conyers attend the speech by President Barack Obama at Northwestern High School in Flint.

Cheyenne Russell, 5, and father Jason Russell of Flushing Township listen during the presiden'ts speech.

Karen Weaver, Mayor of Flint, comes out to loud applause before speaking at Northwestern High School.

Obama made the comments during a speech in the city on Wednesday, a few hours after he drank filtered Flint water after a briefing by federal officials on the city's lead-contaminated water.

President Obama speaks at Northwestern High School.

President Obama takes a drink of water he called for while at the podium. "I really did need a glass of water. This is not a stunt," he said.