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In area speech, he sets out long list of election promises, avoids criticism of Obama
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008
HIGHLAND HILLS: Former President Bill Clinton gives Ohio credit for getting him into the White House.
And now, he said Tuesday, the state can do the same for his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
''Ohio can make her president, just like Ohio helped make me president,'' Clinton said during a packed rally in the Cuyahoga Community College's Eastern Campus Student Services building.
During Clinton's 40-minute talk, he steered clear of the race issue and avoided taking shots at Barack Obama, the other leading Democratic candidate — both areas that have earned him criticism in the past few weeks.
Instead, he stressed his wife's goals and experience as a lawyer, first lady and U.S. senator.
''You want a change maker — vote for her,'' he told the receptive, standing-only crowd of about 300, which responded with frequent applause and cheers.
After his speech, Clinton shook hands and worked the audience before heading to a private fundraiser at Dante's Restau
rant in Valley View.
Clinton's visit was the first of what is expected to be frequent stops in Ohio by candidates and their supporters as the state's March 4 primary draws nearer, especially now that it appears the nomination won't be decided next week on Super Tuesday.
His stop also is a sign that the campaigns are gearing up their organizations in the Buckeye State. Volunteers were solicited from the crowd filing out of the student services building, and U.S. Rep Stephanie Tubbs Jones, one of Hillary Clinton's national campaign chairs, announced a campaign organizational meeting on Thursday evening.
Outlining goals
Clinton's only reference to race came at the beginning of his remarks, when he said the United States should be like a community college — providing opportunities to everyone, ''without regard for race or gender.''
''That's the way Hillary thinks America ought to work,'' said Clinton, who spoke in front of a huge American flag. ''I know you want to make history . . . I hope you want to build a better future.''
The audience at the community college was extremely diverse — with many races and ages present. Some were clearly Hillary Clinton supporters, including a student who wore a campaign sticker on his forehead and several others who carried signs that said, ''Turn Up The Heat — hillaryclinton.com.''
Bill Clinton went through a list of ''big goals'' that he said his wife has if elected. He said she wants to ''restore the middle class dream'' and give ''poor people the chance to get into it.''
A show of hands
Clinton, who exuded the down-home charm he's known for, asked the crowd how many people knew someone without health-care coverage. A sea of hands shot into the air. He pledged that his wife would reform the country's health-care system.
Next, he tackled the issue of higher education, saying his wife would provide tax credits for college tuition and restart a federal program he had during his administration that provided low-interest loans to college students.
He said Hillary Clinton would withdraw troops from Iraq within 60 days, while not completely abandoning the country. He also said she would take care of veterans from the war, including providing them with health care, higher education, and small business loans.
Clinton said his wife's view on foreign policy is that ''there is no problem we can solve by ourselves.'' He said she would stress diplomacy and military force would be ''a last resort.''
The former president earned a hearty reception when he said Hillary Clinton would work toward a ''clean, green energy future'' that doesn't rely on foreign oil. He said she would repeal tax cuts given to oil companies and redirect the money into affordable, alternative energy sources like solar and wind.
Foreclosure policy
Clinton said his wife would put a moratorium on home foreclosures and — for home owners who haven't missed a mortgage payment — allow them to continue paying the same mortgage amount for five years. He said the government would negotiate with the mortgage companies to make up their lost revenue — an expense that he estimated at $30 billion, but said would be less costly than having many more foreclosures.
The crowd's reaction after Clinton's speech was mixed, giving a snapshot of how scattered people are in their views of the presidential contenders.
Leslie Hines of Wooster, a Cleveland State law student, said she found Clinton's remarks ''inspiring.'' She said she's followed Hillary Clinton's career, read her biography and would love to see her become America's first female president.
''I think she's the best candidate,'' she said.
Evelyn Anderson, a Tri-C student who lives in Richmond Heights, said she liked some of what Bill Clinton had to say but hasn't picked her candidate. She wants to hear from the other candidates, particularly Obama.
Mike Krause of Solon, a John Carroll University student, was unimpressed with Clinton's remarks. He said he supports Ron Paul, a dark horse Republican presidential candidate.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached
at 330-996-3705 or
swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
HIGHLAND HILLS: Former President Bill Clinton gives Ohio credit for getting him into the White House.
Get the full article here.
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