Clinton greets diners in Terre Haute

Friday, March 21, 2008
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY) greets several supporters at the Saratoga Restaurant in Terre Haute Thursday as Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) follows.

TERRE HAUTE -- No signs were allowed in the restaurant Thursday.

But it didn't matter. Supporters came out in droves as presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton (D-NY) paid a visit to the Saratoga Restaurant, 431 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute.

Clinton visited the Vigo County city with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) who called Terre Haute his "native city."

Several supporters were on-hand several hours before Clinton arrived. The first people in line to get into the restaurant admitted to showing up at 2:45 a.m.

The event was first-come-first-serve, as the restaurant held a maximum capacity of less than 150.

Doors opened at 8:50 a.m. to allow the anxious supporters in. Initially, restaurant owner George Azar had told people he was opening the establishment at 7 a.m.

As Clinton's cavalcade arrived, the remaining people that could not get into the restaurant lined the street shouting their support.

The group then walked into the restaurant and conducted a question-answer session with the public.

"The good news is, in about 10 months, the current administration is going to be done, gone," Bayh said as he introduced Clinton. "The question is: Who has the strength?"

The crowd then yelled "Hillary!"

"I am thrilled to be here today," Clinton said. "It really does feel like coming home with Evan. It's a real joy to work with him.

"We know we've got challenges. I'm running for president because I know we can do better. I always think you learn more by listening than talking. This is, for me, a very important conversation."

Clinton discussed several talking points with the public, including oil and energy prices.

"We've got to stay committed to a different energy future," she said. "There's a lot we could do."

She also discussed manufacturing, the recent layoffs by several area businesses and healthcare, saying it was important to keep jobs in the United States.

"I just believe so strongly that we can compete with anybody," she said.

Clinton told the audience inside the restaurant she was in favor of allowing citizens to have the same insurance plan congressional leaders have.

"If it's good enough for Congress, it's good enough for the rest of us," she said.

In addition, she discussed the war in Iraq, telling the crowd she was against it and was in favor of finding a way to bring troops home as soon as possible.

Following the question-answer session inside the restaurant, Clinton then walked behind the building to greet an enthusiastic crowd of supporters who were unable to get into the session.

"We've been having a long job interview," she said.

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Jason Moon is managing editor of the Brazil Times, sister newspaper of the BannerGraphic.

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