Hillary Clinton Speaks at Cincinnati State

Cincinnati, Ohio - To attend the 9 am speech an estimated 2,500 people waited for half an hour in a line that wrapped through Cincinnati State corridors to the metal detectors that led to the gym. Attendants passed out pens and a form. A petitioner was seeking signatures for Dole for County Commissioner. Security was thorough. Inside the gym volunteers were rousing the people with the cheer, "Our house. The White House". The new $1.50 bus fare cost a total of $3.50.

At around 9:30 am Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper (D) took the stand and said, "Welcome. This is exciting. We've only got 9 days to go. Thanks for braving the weather. Steve Driehaus is running for 1st Congressional District. Former Congressman Tom Luken is also here. We will deliver the White House on March 4 and again in November. Clinton has the experience to help people with their everyday problems. Hillary is way ahead of John McCain in Ohio. She is the most electable person on the ticket".

Aaron Burgher, a Clinton staffer who is opening a local office next to 1 Kovach Drive tomorrow, got on the stage and said, "Make some noise. This is great. As excited as we all are to win, we need your help, and the secret weapon is volunteers. We want to win Ohio".

Governor Ted Strickland and Senator Hillary Clinton then walked onto stage together, holding their hands, they rotated 360 degrees with their hands held high above their head, to greet the audience. Strickland picked up the microphone and gave a rousing cheer, "Let's hear it for Senator Clinton. Are you ready to send a message to America that this is our candidate? Thank you for what you have done and are going to do. She is fighting for us. As she carries on this fight for us, for the next few days, we will fight for her".

Hillary Clinton, in a red jacket, began speaking. She said, "Hello". Because we froze tuition increases people are able to go to college. That is what I like to do. Thank you. Elect me for President to put the nation on the right track. There is so much work for the next President. On the day the next President takes office there is going to be a big folder - Bush's mess - two wars, the economy, tuition prices, foreclosure and other problems we can't predict.

For all of us who believe with all our hearts that America's best days are coming. Who will deal with these problems? It is going to be tough after Bush and Dick Cheney. Who is ready to take on those challenges and seize those opportunities? I want to help you move this country forward again. There is a lot of work but we can do it if we work together. We can take on every challenge.

We have lived through some of the worst change in the past 8 years. We have lived with the consequence of their change. Bush never said anything about throwing out the balanced budget and surplus. He promised change as a compassionate conservative and the American people got shafted.

I got to tell you. Applause. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Experience, knowing how to make change, how to live up to your dreams, not mine. We believe in the rule of law, democracy and freedom. As we take on the failures of the Bush administration we need a President who will reach out, firm in the conviction we can make it together.

Because of the work I've done, I know what means to be a man or woman in uniform. Force must be used as a last resort, not a first resort. In that Oval office are all the problems in Ohio. We have seen jobs lost. We seem invisible. We work and just don't get ahead.

150,000 Ohioans got foreclosure notices last year. Those stories are not just vignettes. I am the only candidate with a plan to stop the foreclosures and keep these people's homes. The banks and lenders need to find out what people can pay. Homeowners were hoodwinked into loans they couldn't afford. I want to save people's homes and dreams. If we don't stop the drop in home values the economy won't turn around.

How do we keep our jobs? How do we invest? I don't understand why Republicans give tax breaks for companies leaving the USA. Its about dependence on fossil fuels. I will create a strategic energy fund by taking away tax subsidies to oil companies. I would like to spend money on green collar jobs. We borrow money from the Chinese to pay the Saudis. I am well aware this will happen until the two oil tycoons leave office.

We need a fight in the White House for universal health care. We cannot lose to private health insurance and pharmaceuticals. Why would we give up on universal health care? Cover everyone. Republicans always promote private health insurance. You pay for it, you ought to have access.

I'm not just giving speeches, I'm offering solutions. I am doing everything I can to improve education. I support pre-school. I support the unfunded mandate, No Child Left Behind. I will make college affordable. We'll provide tax credit. We will break the stranglehold of student loans on families.

I know a lot of caregivers. I know the most important work is that taking place in our family. We are going to give you help with long term care. Lets start rewarding all the people who take care their loved ones. Otherwise we would need to replace their care with $300 billion a year.

I started reforming education in Arkansas. I helped draft Children's Health Insurance. I've led a blessed life. I have my family, health, friends. I have what's important in this election. I have what it takes for you to do the things most important in your life. Continue to live up to your God given potential. The best way to see what a person will do in the future is to see what they have done. If you stand with me I will fight for you. Thank you and God bless you.

Bibliography

Hillary Clinton for President Website. www.hillaryclinton.com

Floor Speech of Hillary Rhodam Clinton on SJ Res. 45, A Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq. October 10, 2002. http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=233783

Remarks of Illinous State Sen. Barack Obama Against Going to War With Iraq. October 2, 2002. http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

Starr Report. September 9, 1998. http://thomas.loc.gov/icreport/2toc.htm

William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones No. 95-1853. May 27, 1997. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&navby=case&vol=520&invol=681