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Former commander-in-chief makes case for his wife’s presidential bid, saying, ‘Even if I wasn’t married to her, I’d vote for her.’

March 20, 2008

Campaigner-in-chief

Coughlin rally one stop in four-city tour

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Bill O'Boyle on Facebook   |   @TLBillOboyle on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – For 38 minutes Wednesday evening, President Bill Clinton told more than 1,000 people gathered inside the Coughlin High School gymnasium why his wife should be the next president of the United States.

Stopping in the Diamond City on the third leg of a four-city tour, Clinton said former first lady Hillary Clinton is the best person to end the war in Iraq, provide health care to everyone, turn the economy around, improve education and restore the middle class.

And most importantly, the former president said his wife can and will defeat Republican John McCain in the November general election.

“It all comes down to you here in Pennsylvania,” Clinton said. “If you give her a big victory here, she will be nominated and she will be the next president of the United States.”

The crowd cheered loudly and waved “Hillary for President” signs. After the speech, Clinton left the stage and went into the crowd to sign autographs, pose for pictures and chat with supporters.

Clinton trails her opponent, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, in both the popular vote and delegate count. It appears Obama will head to the Democratic National Convention as the clear leader in the race for the nomination. However, the Democratic Party has about 350 uncommitted superdelegates who could sway the nomination to Clinton.

Hillary Clinton was in Lackawanna County twice last week: She visited Old Forge and Scranton on March 10 and participated in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton. Their daughter Chelsea spoke at Wilkes University March 12.

Obama addressed the Society of Irish Women in Scranton Monday night after taping an MTV show at Whistle’s Pub & Eatery in downtown Scranton.

Clinton is expected to do well in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties because of the large population of older, blue-collar, and culturally conservative voters.

After discussing the major issues, President Clinton said he wanted to talk about the personal qualities of his wife’s candidacy.

“A woman,” shouted one supporter, drawing a smile from the former president.

“But all of you also want a president that can and will make real changes – positive changes – in your lives,” Clinton said. “Hillary will do that. Even if I wasn’t married to her, I’d vote for her, because I feel she is the best person for the job.”

Wearing a dark gray suit, light blue shirt and dark blue tie, Clinton, who was running more than an hour late, took the stage at 5:13 p.m. The crowd, including some people who had waited outside since 9 a.m., came alive.

He apologized for being late and said he was grateful that people waited. He ended his speech at 5:51 p.m.

“We love Pennsylvania,” Clinton said.

Clinton said the country is in trouble economically and around the world.

“People know America has to change,” Clinton said. “Hillary will be the best president to lead that change.”

Clinton scolded the Bush administration for its “trickle-down economics” that he feels has failed. He said middle-class economics works.

“I hope I have some credibility on this issue of economics,” Clinton said. “Foreclosures are increasing at an alarming rate and most of the people being foreclosed on are making their mortgage payments. Hillary will freeze the monthly mortgage rate for five years to allow people to keep their homes.”

Clinton said most Americans already think they’re in a recession.

“Nobody gets a pay raise, but costs keep going up,” Clinton said. “Costs for gas and food are rising at a rate twice that of inflation. The middle class is under assault. We need a thriving middle class.”

Clinton drew attention to a comment from the Obama camp that said the 1990s weren’t all that great.

“You know, my wife had the best answer for that,” he said. “She said what part of the ‘90s don’t we want to return to, peace or prosperity?”

Clinton said more jobs need to be created and the United States has to stop sending more than $300 billion overseas every year. He said the country needs to develop alternative energy sources and reduce its reliance on big oil.

“There are 12 people I know of in the country driving cars that get 100 miles to the gallon,” Clinton said. “We have to continue the transition to alternative fuels. Then we can say to the big oil countries, charge us $100 or $200 per barrel of oil; it doesn’t matter because we aren’t buying it anymore.”

Clinton talked about health care and the need to see that all Americans are insured. When he asked for a show of hands from people who have no health insurance, hundreds of hands went up.

“This is the only rich country in the world where you will get that answer,” he said.

On education, Clinton said there is an achievement gap and the federal government should put more money into the educational system and make it easier for students to attend college.

On Iraq, Clinton said his wife plans to withdraw troops “as quickly as we responsibly can.”

Clinton said the country’s main adversary is al-Qaida. Hillary, he said, would set out to rebuild the American military to make people want to join and stay in the armed services. He said the country needs to take care of veterans when they are discharged.

He called McCain a “fine man” but said Hillary disagrees with him on most issues. He said McCain will not be easy to defeat.

Mark Bufalino, chairman of the Luzerne County Democratic Party, met with Clinton before the speech. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, and Luzerne County Commissioner Maryann Petrilla greeted Clinton.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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