Clinton mayoral rally gets small turnout in Pa.(19 of 100)

[tekisui]

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Turnout at the "100 Mayors for Hillary" rally was a little under 20 percent.

Only 19 mayors of Pennsylvania cities showed up for Tuesday's rally in the Rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol. Other mayors' names were listed on placards supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed spoke for the group against the backdrop of a banner touting the 100 mayors. He criticized Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, for saying at a San Francisco fundraiser last week that some voters in small towns in Pennsylvania cling to guns or religion because of their frustration over their economic circumstances.

Reed called Obama's comments "divisive and condescending."

"Small-town values are the bedrock of American values," Reed said.

Kathleen Strand of the Clinton campaign said rally organizers never expected all 100 mayors to attend and that some were participating in Clinton events in their home cities.

But an Obama campaign spokesman said participation in the rally is "about the same percentage of voters who actually care about this story."

"Voters are hungry to get this campaign back on who can create jobs and lower the cost of health care," said the spokesman, Sean Smith.

link: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20080415_ap_clintonmayoralrallygetssmallturnoutinpa.html

BTW, Hillary was not in attendance.