Hillary in it for the long run

WILKES-BARRE – Hillary Clinton talked the issues – the economy, education, health care, the war in Iraq – and made one thing clear: She has no intention of quitting the race.

With the theme from “Rocky” blaring on the overhead sound system, Clinton took the stage Tuesday to speak to nearly 3,000 supporters at King’s College Scandlon Gymnasium.

She called attention to her Scranton roots and assured the crowd she will defeat her Democratic opponent Barack Obama in the primary election and go on to win the White House.

“My opponent has called my campaign the Bataan death march,” Clinton said. “He said my campaign is like a movie that has gone on too long, telling me to quit. My family, my father’s family, has deep roots here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and we don’t quit. From the coal mines to the lace mills, we have worked our hearts out, and I will work my heart out for you.”

Clinton urged the crowd to get involved with her campaign to help her change America.

“We have the solutions for America,” Clinton said. “I’m not asking you to vote for me based on a speech. Vote for me because you believe in the solutions I have. This campaign is not about me; it’s about you.”

“I can’t hear you,” Rendell challenged the already noisy crowd. “Hillary Clinton gets it. She has the guts and determination to get the job done. She’s a fighter and she will roll up her sleeves and fight for all of us”

Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla introduced Rendell. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton wasn’t on stage, but met with Clinton prior to her speech. Leighton attended Obama’s speech earlier at Wilkes University.

“This is exciting,” said Leighton, who has endorsed Clinton. “Our city has had two presidential candidates in town on the same day speaking at our colleges just blocks from each other.”

Melissa Boice, wife of Harveys Lake Mayor Richard Boice, tried to rally those in attendance.

“We have something in common, so I thought I’d come here and try to get the crowd excited,” Boice said. “We have something in common; that’s why I’m here trying to get the crowd riled up.”

King’s College’s maintenance staff had to set up more bleachers to accommodate the large crowd. The Hazleton Area High School band and dance team and local band Soul Busters, which performed at President Clinton’s 1992 inauguration, provided music.

Cindy Yale of Hanover Township was seated in the crowd with her two Hillary dolls. Yale, 47, a big Clinton fan, named her cat Socks after the Clinton cat.

Signs of support included phrases such as “Wilkes-Barre Welcomes Hillary,” “PA LOVES Hillary” and “Hillary, The Smart Choice.”

Clinton said there is a need to change the economy – an economy she says may be good for Wall Street, but not for Main Street.

“The economy is our No. 1 issue,” Clinton said. “There’s nothing else we can do if we don’t get that right.”

The economy affects all other issues, she said, such as “jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs.” She said the middle class needs to be revitalized and young people need better, higher-paying jobs.

At that point, Clinton asked the crowd to sit down because many were unable to see. The crowd obliged and Clinton said, “See, I just solved another problem.”

Clinton said the country is stronger when everybody is doing better. She talked about the situation some 10 years ago – when her husband was in office.

“But President Bush has mortgaged the country,” Clinton said. “The country is where it is today because of bad decisions made by the Bush administration, but they are all reversible. We are $9 trillion is debt; we borrow from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis. Once we get those two oil men out of the White House, we can work to get those prices down.”

She lamented the high cost of gasoline and said: “This can’t continue. I will start by taking the tax subsidies away from the big oil companies. They don’t need them.”

“I’m tired of these insurance companies deciding who lives and who dies,” Clinton said. “I’ll give you a plan like our congressional plan that has more than 250 options. It’s the morally right step for us to take.”

Clinton had the same message for education – affordability. She said student loan companies are charging exorbitant interest rates.

She promised to start bringing troops home from Iraq on Day 1 of her presidency and boasted of endorsements from more than 25 generals and admirals.

“And when our veterans return, I will assure you that they and their families will be taken care of,” she said.

As president, Clinton promised she would be a partner with Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Clinton asked the crowd to think about who they want to hire as their next president. A voice bellowed, “You got the job,” and Clinton thanked him.

“Think about it,” Clinton said. “Who would you hire to improve the economy? To make education affordable? To provide health care to all? To end the war in Iraq?”

“I always thought that Democrats and Americans believe in letting people vote,” Clinton said. “From Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico, all voters should be allowed to be a part of the process. With your help, we can win this primary, this nomination and the White House.”

clinton at a glance

Crowd interaction: Shook hands when she entered the gym; talked with supporters during a question-and-answer session; shook hands and answered more questions before leaving.

Local references: Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Luzerne County, NEPA. Also mentioned southwestern Pennsylvania.

Music: Hazleton Area High School Band and Soul Busters, a 6-piece band, played before Clinton arrived; “Eye of the Tiger” played when Clinton arrived in gym, and an Elvis song played while she was leaving.

Mentioned Obama: About five times – on several different references, one about Obama and an ad being run in Pennsylvania about how he hasn’t taken money from oil companies. “It’s illegal to take money from oil companies; that’s why he didn’t take it,” Clinton said.

Closing line: “(Running for president) is like a job interview. It’s the toughest job in the world …The next president has to restore your faith in the United States. Who would you hire? A president who will make health care available … a president who will make college affordable … a president who will take care of veterans….(etc..).

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clinton at a glance

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