CLEARFIELD – A small group began to form at about 2:30 p.m. and hours later grew to line the oval and street in front of the middle school, as local citizens awaited for former President Bill Clinton to tout his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton’s qualifications to lead the nation at Thursday night’s “Solutions for America” event.
More than 800 filled the gymnasium’s bleacher seating, while hundreds more stood in a gated area. The estimated 1,000 attendees remained for nearly another two hours in anticipation of the former president’s arrival. Chants of “we want Bill” rang out and turned into a welcoming applause.
Clinton apologized for the wait and thanked the crowd for its patience.
“She’s in this race because of you,” he said. “She’s in it for you.”
Clinton said the senator wants to reclaim America. “Did you see the debate last night,” he asked? “She looked liked a leader.”
Energy
Clinton said the United States should make a serious commitment to energy efficiency and the environment, which in turn would result in up to $5 million new jobs. The senator would create a Strategic Energy Fund in order to inject $50 billion into both the research and development of clean and renewable energy while eliminating the subsidies put in place through the 2005 energy bill.
“And, don’t you forget this. She is the only candidate left in the race who voted against that bill,” he said.
Clinton said the senator realizes transportation expenses and supports efforts to produce a more affordable vehicle. “It would be like a hybrid car on steroids.”
He said these cars would get 100 miles per gallon and be manufactured in Massachusetts.
“Thank about what that would do for your pocket,” Clinton said.
Health Care
According to Clinton, there is a big difference between the two democratic presidential candidates in terms of health care.
He said the middle class cannot be strengthened if health care costs continue to rise.
Clinton said the senator’s plan not only lowers costs and improves quality, but is also compressive and covers everyone.
He said consumers would have the option to keep their current coverage or select from a group for a more affordable plan. Coverage would also be offered to the tens of million Americans without a health care plan.
“Working families will receive tax credits, making it affordable for everyone. We have to cover everyone,” Clinton said.
Education
Clinton said the senator has spent the past three decades developing plans to improve education so that students can learn at international levels of excellence.
He said she wants children to have better access to foreign language and science.
“In other countries, like Germany, children go to school longer and take harder classes earlier,” Clinton said.
He said every student has the ability to finish high school and should complete at least two years of additional schooling.
Clinton also said students could “stay as long as they liked,” while the senator will increase Pell Grants and tuition tax credit to make an affordable college education feasible.
Budget & War
Clinton said if the senator is elected, she will bring financial responsibility. The Bush Administration borrows money each day to fund tax cuts and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has discarded the balanced budget of the 1990s.
“We need financial responsibility, and she’s the best leader to bring the economy back,” he said.
He said she will begin a prompt troop withdrawal but is not pulling for Iraq to fail.
“No one is pulling for Iraq to fail. We don’t want them to fail,” Clinton said.
He said soldiers are losing their lives and many others have been wounded.
“Families have been broken up and lost lives.,” he said. “This is a big deal to her.”
Clinton said the president must be able to unify and inspire people, have good policies and make good decision.
“She is the best change maker,” he said. “That’s what you want and got to have as president.”
Clinton said their daughter Chelsea was asked at an Indiana campaign event if her mother would be a better president than her father. “She said, ‘sure do.’”
“I have to agree with Chelsea,” he said. “She is the most qualified candidate I’ll have the opportunity to vote for.”
