TimesLeader.com

October 14
Big guns back up Obama

Both Clintons, Biden focus on middle-class connection

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

SCRANTON – Three U.S. senators, one congressman and a former U.S. president stood on stage Sunday and told more than 3,000 supporters that they will work for the middle class of America.

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Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks during a rally at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton, PA as his wife Jill Biden and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. listen Oct. 12 2008. S.John Wilkin/The Times Leader

S. John Wilkin/The Times Leader

Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks during a rally at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton, PA with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. Oct. 12 2008.(S.John Wilkin/The Times Leader)

S. John Wilkin/The Times Leader

President Bill Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, appeared with Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden for a rally at the Riverfront Sports Complex in the city’s Providence section. The Clintons were in town for the baptism of Mrs. Clinton’s nephew – Simon Joseph Rodham – son of Tony and Megan Rodham. The ceremony took place at the Court Street Methodist Church.

“I am convinced that Barack Obama will win the election,” said Seth Goldstein, a 47-year-old attorney from Cherry Hill, N.J. “Obama presents a plan that addresses the problems of the middle class and working America.”

Joel Sherman of New Jersey attended with his son, Sam.

“The message they delivered today was right on the money,” Sherman said. “And you can feel the genuineness of Hillary and Bill and Joe, and that’s what this country’s middle class needs.”

Sherman said Biden’s reference to Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s comments just hours before the economic crisis broke were “scary.” He said McCain had said the country’s economy was sound, and three hours later news of the crisis came out.

Donna Grimm of Barryville, N.Y., drove an hour to attend the rally and support the Democratic ticket.

“They touched on everything important to the middle class,” she said. “They stand for everything I do.”

Biden spoke about the issues – the economy, the Iraq war, education, veterans’ benefits, universal health care, Social Security, taxes – telling the crowd that McCain would be a continuation of the same policies of the last eight years.

He accused the McCain campaign of trying to distract Americans from their economic woes by launching “unbecoming personal attacks” at Obama. The Scranton native said McCain doesn’t have the right ideas to get the nation’s economy back on track and has resorted to “ugly inferences” about Obama as the Republican presidential nominee tries to salvage his faltering campaign.

“This election is about something much bigger than personal attacks,” Biden said. “As my friend Sen. (Robert) Casey said, you can’t call yourself a maverick when all you have been for the last eight years is a sidekick.” Casey also attended the rally.

With her mother, Dorothy Rodham, looking on, Sen. Clinton told the crowd why she is supporting the Obama-Biden ticket.

“Because this election is too important to sit on the sidelines of history,” she said. “I haven’t spent 35 years in the trenches fighting for universal health care, for children, for families, for women, for middle class people to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our nation and the hopes of our people.”

On the topic of the economic bail out, the former presidential candidate said, “What about the millions of people losing their homes and their jobs every single day? Where is their bailout? If stocks to continue to plummet, homeowners fall further and further into default and many face foreclosures. People are afraid to open up their 401(k) statement, aren’t they? Retirees’ nest eggs are starting to crack. Businesses can’t find credit. Students can’t find college loans. The global credit crisis is shaking the foundation of the 21st-century economy.”

Clinton said she will work with Obama and Biden to achieve quality, affordable health care for every American.

President Clinton found time to ask the crowd to support U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, who is facing a challenge from Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta in the 11th Congressional District.

“Folks, Paul Kanjorski’s got a tough race,” he said. “He’s got a tough race because some people in his district believe that illegal immigration is a bigger cause of their economic problems than President Bush’s economic policies. I got news for them and I’ve got news for you – you need to help him get re-elected.”

Clinton introduced his wife – they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary Saturday -- and then left for Virginia to campaign.

“There’s only 23 days left,” President Clinton said. “This is not just about politics. If you ask yourselves who has the best ideas, who’s got the best instincts, who’s got the best ability to understand these challenges, who’s got the best supporting cast, the answer is Barack Obama. That’s why Hillary’s here, that’s why I’m here, that’s why you’re here.”

Paul Lindsay of the McCain campaign found it ironic that the three people appearing in Scranton on behalf of Obama were critical of the Illinois senator before he secured the nomination.

“Whether it was calling a vote for him a roll of the dice or attacking his relationship with unrepentant terrorist William Ayers, Joe Biden and the Clintons were right – Obama’s poor judgment proves he is not ready to lead,” Lindsay said in a prepared release.

McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will be in Scranton on Tuesday for a rally. She will be at the same Riverfront Sports Complex that held Sunday’s Democratic rally.

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