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Workers hear 12-minute speech, get autographs. She also visits Summit County Democrats' dinner
By Stephanie Warsmith
and Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writers
Published on Saturday, Feb 16, 2008
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told several hundred workers at Lockheed Martin Friday afternoon that she would create more opportunities — and stop jobs from being shipped overseas.
Clinton said many of the country's defense contracts — Lockheed's specialty — have been outsourced to other countries. For example, night vision technology was invented in the United States but the products are no longer made here, she said.
''I want to do everything I can to keep growing jobs and opportunities,'' Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said during a 12-minute speech delivered on the floor of the cavernous Lockheed factory.
The crowd of about 300 Lockheed employees and invited guests didn't break into applause and cheers as often happens at
such campaign stops. But many were excited about Clinton's visit — standing in line to shake her hand, pose for a picture or get her autograph.
''I can't believe she's here!'' said Julie Acker of Wadsworth, an electronic assembler at Lockheed who had just shaken hands with Clinton.
After the Lockheed event, Clinton stopped by the packed Summit County Democratic Party's annual Valentine's Day dinner at Todaro's Party Center in the Merriman Valley before heading to Lyndhurst for a rally.
Clinton's trip to Akron — thrown together at the last minute — fell at the tail end of a whirlwind two days of events across Ohio.
This was her campaign's third planned stop in the Akron-Canton area in four days. Her daughter, Chelsea, appeared at the University of Akron Thursday and former President Bill Clinton will be in Canton Sunday.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, who endorsed Clinton this week, introduced her to the Lockheed crowd as ''the next president of the United States.''
Clinton told the audience she's done a lot of work with Lockheed in New York, including recently helping to secure a helicopter contract for the plant in Syracuse.
The senator paused to offer her condolences to the families of five students killed Thursday at Northern Illinois University by a former student. ''We have to figure out a way to get smart and protect our kids,'' she said.
She then shifted back to the economy and jobs, pledging to be a ''president who will stand up for working people and the middle class.'' She said tax subsidies shouldn't be given to companies that take jobs from Akron and transfer them to a foreign country.
Clinton said she would create new jobs at places like Lockheed, which can produce products for a dual use. She also would invest in clean energy jobs and go after countries that violate trade agreements.
Applause for troops
She pledged to invest in cities like Akron by rebuilding bridges and roads. She also said she would create universal health care, make college affordable and bring the troops home from Iraq. The last promise earned the only applause she got in the middle of her speech.
''We will put that money to use right here,'' she said.
''To be president, you need to roll up your sleeves and get to work,'' Clinton concluded, sounding hoarse from her back-to-back appearances and coughing as she left the podium.
Clinton's remarks got mixed reviews.
Theresa Scott, a Lockheed engineer, said Clinton seemed more ''real'' than she does on television. ''That's a good thing,'' she said, adding that she's not sure whom she will vote for.
Ed Seifert, who works in shipping and receiving at Lockheed, said he hasn't ''heard a politician yet who told the truth.'' But he liked what Clinton said about keeping jobs in the United States.
''If you walk around here and see where the machines were made — they're all made overseas,'' said Seifert, who's from Hartville.
Gary Holland, a maintenance worker at Lockheed, said he's been a fan of Clinton for years. He was one of several people who had to work long hours to prepare for the event at Lockheed, which wasn't finalized until Thursday evening.
''She's the person for the job — no doubt about it,'' said Holland, who got Clinton to autograph a Lockheed Martin sign.
This wasn't the first Clinton campaign stop at Lockheed Martin. When Bill Clinton was running for president in October 1992, about 30,000 supporters crowded into the airdock for a campaign rally, including many who were bused in.
Some think Clinton may follow in her husband's footsteps.
''You could be witnessing history right here,'' said Owen Sheridan, a Lockheed maintenance worker.
Boisterous crowd
At Todaro's, Clinton was greeted by a boisterous crowd of more than 600 Democratic faithful. The $35-a-person fundraiser normally draws less than half that number. Many said they decided to attend after hearing through the grapevine about Clinton's impromptu campaign stop.
Wilma Walker, 80, of Alliance, said she stopped cleaning and painted her nails as soon as she heard about the event. She and many others showed up about two hours before the doors at Todaro's were to open.
''I'm really a big fan of Hillary and Bill,'' Walker said.
Clinton waved to people who chanted ''Hill-Ar-Y!'' and held campaign signs as her motorcade pulled up. She came in through the party center's office and then addressed the enthused crowd for about a half-hour.
''We always say, 'Ohio has sent more presidents to the White House than any other state,' '' she said, earning hearty applause from the standing-room-only crowd.
Clinton touched on some highlights of her platform, including saying she would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — a controversial agreement championed by her husband during his administration.
She said she wouldn't support any future trade agreements without strict standards.
She got the biggest cheers when she pledged to work closer with mayors and cities.
''It takes a president who will actually pick up a phone and call the mayor of Akron and say, 'How are you doing?' '' she said.
Clinton asked for the crowd's help with her campaign — that people go door-to-door, make phone calls and do whatever it takes to get her elected.
''I'll never forget you,'' she promised. ''I will make sure Ohio has the future it deserves.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told several hundred workers at Lockheed Martin Friday afternoon that she would create more opportunities — and stop jobs from being shipped overseas.
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