The Globe

Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Web Extras

Bill Clinton talks about healthcare.

Bill Clinton talks about the economy.

Former President Bill Clinton rallied support for his wife's presidential campaign at Washington and Jefferson College on Tuesday afternoon. The rally was one of the first campaign events in Pennsylvania for Hillary.

Bill Clinton's support comes at a much needed time after his wife's campaign went through a series of 10 straight primary losses in February. Hillary began to redeem herself with the wins of both Ohio and Texas; however, Pennsylvania will be a critical state for the senator's campaign.

Hillary currently has a total of 1,480 pledged delegates, while Barack Obama is ahead by 131 delegates. Pennsylvania has a total of 158 pledged delegates. Hillary needs to win by a large margin of the votes in order to secure enough delegates to push her towards the democratic presidential nomination.

Delegate Tracker

The momentum of the Ohio and Texas wins seemed to carry on into her husband's campaign rally. Washington and Jefferson College estimated the crowd in Henry Memorial Auditorium to be around 2,000. Bill Clinton spoke confidently to the crowd about his wife's position on campaign issues and said with their support, "Hillary will be the next president of the United States."

Statements like this are reassuring to Hillary supporters. Ashley Avery, a mathematics major at California University, wanted to see a former President's view on a presidential candidate.

"Seeing a former President speak about a candidate is exciting," Avery said. "I don't think anyone will see a former president talk about their wife's campaign again anytime soon in future elections."

Bill Clinton hit on many major campaign issues such as healthcare, the Iraq war and the economy.

 When it comes to healthcare, Bill Clinton said, "It is time to stop making excuses and develop a plan for affordable healthcare." He talked about the importance a universal government healthcare plan, which Hillary has emphasized since the beginning of her campaign.

The crowd cheered as he stated if a government healthcare program is good enough for his family, "then it is diffidently good enough for yours" said Clinton.

The Iraq war is a major issue for the election this year. Bill Clinton talked about what his wife's plan was for the war. Despite what other presidential candidates plan to do, he said that Hillary wants to end the war immediately.

This is comforting to families who have loved ones in Iraq, and especially to current members of the military. David Ednie, a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, remembers this part of Bill's speech the best.

"A decision on the future of the Iraq war is very important to people in the military," said Ednie. "I trust that if Hillary becomes president, she has enough experience in foreign affairs to decide the outcome of the war."

Another important issue for the upcoming election is the economy. The decline in the housing market and increasing gas prices are a major concern for many Americans. Bill said that the next president needs to get the economy going and his wife is able to do that. Among Hillary's plans for the economy, Bill said she plans to balance the national budget and create an economy that will benefit everyone.

Housing Market Tracker

Gas Price Tracker

The 2008 election primaries will be held in Pennsylvania on April 22.

 

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools