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Senator tells crowd at Akron rally that she will create jobs for state, secure health care, end Iraq war
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Mar 03, 2008
Many presidential candidates have traveled through Ohio making promises — and haven't delivered.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged to a rowdy crowd of more than 1,000 in Garfield High School's gymnasium Sunday evening that she would be different.
''I'm a fighter, a doer and a champion, and I will go to work for you,'' she said, getting cheers from the audience, many of whom vigorously waved her campaign signs.
Clinton, a Democratic presidential hopeful, spoke for about a half-hour at the Akron rally — her third Ohio stop of the day. She then headed north for stops in Mayfield Heights and at Cleveland State University.
This morning, she will have a rally in Toledo and then head to Texas — the other state with a key primary Tuesday.
This was Clinton's fifth trip to the Buckeye State this campaign season and her second Akron visit. She spoke to workers at Lockheed Martin on Feb. 15 and stopped by a Summit County Democratic Party event.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, who traveled with Clinton from Youngstown to Akron on Sunday, told the Garfield audience that he supports her because she's prepared to be ''a great coach and manager of our country.'' He said the United States needs more than just a
''great speaker,'' alluding to Sen. Barack Obama, Clinton's Democratic opponent, who has been lauded for his oratorical skills.
''What really makes the difference is knowledge, experience and commitment,'' Plusquellic said.
The mayor said Clinton would be ''the best president named Clinton in our history — and that's a high bar.''
''If we come through for her, she will not forget us,'' he said.
Clinton, who actually arrived in Akron ahead of schedule — a presidential campaign rarity — said she has enjoyed getting to know Plusquellic and talking to him about Akron's problems. She promised to ''turn Akron and turn Ohio around.''
The audience frequently interrupted Clinton's remarks with cheering and applause. Many waved handmade signs, with messages like ''Husbands for Hillary,'' ''Hillary Speaks for Me'' and ''Teachers for Hillary.''
Clinton told the crowd she wants Akron voters to hold her accountable for the pledges she's made during her campaign. When she's elected, she said, people can call her and ask, ''When are you going to produce jobs in Akron?''
She said she would take away tax benefits for companies that move jobs out of Ohio, and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to include stronger labor and environmental standards and to make sure ''no foreign company has an advantage over us.''
Clinton said she would create clean-energy manufacturing jobs, such as making solar panels and wind turbines. ''This could be done right here,'' she said.
Health care
She pledged to secure ''quality health care for everyone.''
She told the story of a pregnant woman from southern Ohio who was denied care at a hospital because she had no medical insurance or money. Both the mother and her baby died.
Clinton again criticized Obama's health-care plan, noting coverage under his proposal would be mandatory only for children, not their parents.
''We've got to cover everyone,'' she said. ''That's exactly what I'm going to finally do.''
Clinton promised to end the ''unfunded mandate'' of the federal No Child Left Behind education legislation and make college more affordable. She asked the crowd who still owed on their student loans and many hands shot in the air. For those who go into public service, such as teaching, she said she would forgive their debt over time.
Clinton got a rousing reception when she talked about lowering gasoline prices. She said she would investigate whether prices are being manipulated, hold Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries accountable and consider using oil reserves to lower costs.
''You need a president who is looking at gas prices and thinking, 'How are people in Ohio affording it?' '' she said.
Clinton, who received endorsements Sunday from 18 admirals, generals and senior defense officials, said she would start bringing troops home from Iraq within 60 days of her inauguration.
''It's time for a president to say: 'Thank you. We're bringing you home. We're taking care of you and your families,' '' she said.
When people go to the polls Tuesday, Clinton said, they should answer the question, ''Who would you hire?''
Clinton encouraged those with reservations about voting for a woman to consider the endorsements she received from military officials who think she's the ''best person'' for the job.
''If you give me a chance, I will work my heart out for you,'' she pledged.
Audience reaction
Many in the audience were pleased with Clinton's remarks.
Mary Cassidy of Akron said she was undecided three weeks ago but is now firmly in Clinton's camp. She and her husband, Brian, think Clinton is the better-experienced candidate.
Brian Cassidy, an Iraq war veteran, said he and his wife want to see change, and if the Democratic Party ''ran a piece of asparagus, we'd vote for it.''
Ann Heflin of Akron said she thought Clinton was a better speaker than her husband, former President Bill Clinton, or Sen. John Kerry.
''She's unbelievable,'' said Heflin, whose voice was hoarse from calling people to urge them to vote for Clinton. ''I'm speechless.''
Not everyone in the audience was a firm Clinton supporter. Anthony Grimes of Akron said he attended the rally to help make up his mind between Clinton and Obama.
''I've got to decide — find out who can sway me,'' said Grimes, who wore a button that said ''African-Americans for Hillary'' that his daughter got him to buy.
Emory, his 10-year-old daughter, has a single reason for supporting Clinton.
''I just want a girl president,'' she said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached
at 330-996-3705 or
swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Many presidential candidates have traveled through Ohio making promises — and haven't delivered.
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