PHILADELPHIA- Hillary Clinton spoke at the
University of Pennsylvania, Palestra campus on the eve of the primary that could decide her future in the race.
Former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Governor Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, and Ohio Representative Stephanie Jones all took the stage prior to Clinton. Jones really got the crowd amped up. “Look at how P.A.’s for Hillary,” shouted Jones. The crowd responded with chantings of “yes we can.”
Signs filled the hands of some, one read, “Latinos para Hillary.” Another was a handmade one. Someone copied the vintage looking Obama design and colors, and put Clinton’s picture on.
Clinton was introduced by her husband at roughly 10:45 p.m. to the song, “This Is Our Country.”
In front of a hanging American flag, which is consistent at her rallies, and in an orangish-red blazer, she addressed issues such as the economy, education, healthcare, and energy independence. “It is not only for America, it is for humanity,” said Clinton who addressed energy independence. This drew big cheers and more chanting from the crowd.
Clinton said she would end the war in Iraq, and begin to bring troops home within 60 days.
“…I can begin to withdraw our troops within 60 days, and I know, I know, how difficult and dangerous this is. I understand how dire the potential consequences can be. But I also know, that our young men and women in uniform have performed heroically, they have done everything they have been asked to do.”“It is time for you to decide,” said Clinton at the end of her speech.
Joined by her husband and daughter, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton wrapped up her final Pennsylvania campaign push last night at a passionate rally at the packed and sweltering
Palestra.
"This has been an extraordinary campaign, and it has been for all the right reasons," Clinton told the audience of about 7,000 supporters, who frequently drowned her out by stomping on the old bleachers of the University of Pennsylvania's arena.
"It's not enough to say 'Yes we can,' we have to say how we can," Clinton said, a clear put-down of the hopeful chant characteristic at the rallies of her rival, Barack Obama.
Her voice hoarse, Clinton gave a laundry list of promises - out of Iraq, making college affordable again, lowering the price of gasoline. The audience was so joyous it even cheered when she used the word incentivize, referring to vehicle fuel-efficiency standards. The word biofuels brought the crowd to its feet.
The theme for the evening was comeback. Gov. Rendell, noting that Clinton had been counted out several times, predicted the naysayers would be wrong again. "We all better get used to saying two words: Madame President."
Bill Clinton, holding the crowd's attention while his wife's arrival was delayed, shared some Clinton laws of politics: "If somebody tells you you ought to quit, they're afraid you won't."
The Penn pep band and a lineup of Clinton political supporters, including daughter Chelsea, warmed up the crowd. The words Hillary for and President appeared where the names of the teams would be on the Palestra scoreboard. The game clock was set at 20:08.
Sen. Hillary Clinton greets a supporter outside a polling station during a campaign stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 22, 2008.Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton
said it would be 'foolish' for any Democrat to vote for Republican presumptive nominee John McCain.
Speaking to reporters in Conshohocken on Tuesday, the New York senator promised to campaign to unite her party, no matter who becomes the Democratic nominee.
"Anybody who supports Barack or me would be very foolish to think voting for Senator McCain makes any sense," Clinton said.
"Whatever differences Senator Obama and I may have… that pales in comparison with the differences we have with Senator McCain," she added.
"This is going to be a tough fought, close election. I happen to think I'm the stronger candidate against Senator McCain,"
said Clinton.
"I'm going to work my heart out to make sure we elect a Democrat," said Clinton.
A Few Last Words from Hillary Clinton
In Hillary's Own Words
MY FAMILY HAS a long history in Pennsylvania, and having the chance to campaign here has meant a great deal to me. My grandfather moved to Scranton at age two. He went to work in the lace mills at age 11 and often worked six days a week until he retired. My father grew up in that working- class family, and although we lived in Chicago, his heart never left Pennsylvania. My brothers and I were christened here, and every summer, we would stay in the cottage my grandfather built on Lake Winola.
Traveling across this state today, I see that same Pennsylvania spirit my family instilled in me - that wonderful combination of resilience, patriotism and optimism. A spirit that says anything is possible when we roll up our sleeves and get to work. That is the spirit I'm bringing to my campaign, and the spirit I will bring to my presidency.
After seven years of President Bush, we know we have our work cut out for us: two wars abroad, a recession looming here at home, a health-care crisis, an energy crisis, and threats to our security ranging from extremism to terrorism to climate change to global pandemics.
Today, we need a president with the strength and knowledge to tackle these challenges starting on day one. A leader who knows how to turn our economy around and lift up our middle class. A commander-in-chief who is ready to end the war in Iraq and keep our families safe. I'm ready to be that president.
And I'm offering real solutions, not just speeches, for the problems we face. Because it's not enough to just say you're going to solve our problems; you need to know how you're going to do it.
I'm offering solutions to create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. That means creating good jobs - jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, twenty-first century manufacturing jobs, and more - jobs that pay the bills and won't be shipped overseas.
I'm offering solutions to end our dependence on foreign oil. We had the Industrial Age and the Information Age. It's time for a new era: the Clean Energy Age. We'll invest in clean, renewable energy sources produced right here in America: biofuels, clean coal, wind energy, solar power. And we'll create at least five million new jobs along the way. We'll pay for it by taking away the billions in tax breaks that George Bush and Dick Cheney gave the oil companies.
I'm offering solutions to finally provide health care to every man, woman and child in America. Under my plan, if you have insurance you like, you keep it. Nothing changes. But if you're uninsured or underinsured, you'll have access to the same health plan that members of Congress have. And we'll offer tax credits to make sure everyone can afford it.
I'm offering solutions to rein in the corporate special interests and strengthen the middle class. I'll end $55 billion in special breaks that President Bush gave the oil companies, drug companies and Wall Street, and give middle-class families a break instead. I've proposed $100 billion in middle-class tax cuts to help families afford health care, college and save for retirement.
Finally, I'm offering solutions to restore America's standing in the world. We will end this era of cowboy diplomacy, end the war in Iraq, and start bringing our troops home as quickly and responsibly as possible. And when our troops do come home, we will give them the care and the benefits they've earned.
Accomplishing all of this won't be easy. But if there is one thing you know about me, it's this: I don't back down from a challenge. When I say I'll stand with you, I stand with you. When I say I'll fight for you, I fight for you. And I won't give up until the job is done.
My great-grandparents came to America because they wanted to give their children opportunities they never had. America was a symbol of everything they hoped for - a place where, if you were willing to work hard, anything was possible. They found that better life in Scranton.
It is up to us to keep the promise of America for the next generation - to roll up our sleeves and start solving our toughest problems again. That is exactly what I'll do as president.
Sen. Hillary Clinton laughs during a campaign stop outside a polling station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 22, 2008.
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