Clinton covers array of topics in speech
Speaking at South Putnam's Central Elementary School, former President Bill Clinton kept his focus on health care, energy and, fittingly, education.
Clinton arrived at the platform to a "Hillary" chant initiated by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones from Cleveland, Ohio.
President Clinton began by thanking both Mayor Sue Murray and Principal Brad Hayes for their hospitality.
"[Hillary Clinton] thinks every state deserves to get their votes counted," Clinton said to cheers from the crowd.
Clinton continued by commenting on a recent television advertisement titled, "Nothing's Changed" the Barack Obama campaign has aired.
In this ad, Obama says, "I'm Barack Obama. I don't take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won't let them block change anymore. They'll pay a penalty on windfall profits. We'll invest in alternative energy, create jobs and free ourselves from foreign oil."
Clinton comically replied, "[This ad] made me laugh. No living politician has taken money from oil companies because it has been illegal for 100 years."
The Obama campaign expected such a comment to be made by Clinton and sent a reply to the BannerGraphic. In this reply, the campaign said, "President Clinton is misleading Hoosier voters. Barack Obama does not accept contributions from Political Action Committees (PACs) or federal lobbyists who represent the oil industry. Senator Obama's refusal to take their money is just one of the many reasons he can change Washington and put America on the road to energy independence."
Clinton went on to talk about how caring Hillary is.
"Hillary is the best change-maker I've ever known. Even if she wasn't my wife I would be out here speaking on her behalf because she is what is best for America."
Clinton devoted the girth of his speech to the policy platform Hillary is hoping to bring to Washington. Her positions on both heath care and energy costs were the main focus though.
"You will never solve the health care cost problem until every American has affordable coverage. Under Hillary's command, it will be illegal to spend $1, let alone $20 million on denying coverage under her new plan," Clinton said.
Clinton then turned his attention to the United States' need for energy independence. For one thing, he spoke of a car currently being tested that can get 100 miles to the gallon, highway mileage. It accomplishes this by using powerful lithium batteries which allow the car to drive 45 miles -- as opposed to around 20 in current hybrid cars -- before switching over to gas.
"Hillary has a plan to install solar and wind production plants in the United States. Right now, there is a plant in Ohio that makes solar panels. They are looking to build a new factory, but have decided to build it in Germany because they have more interest in alternative energy sources," Clinton admitted. "Corn is the least effective bio-fuel. Anything organic can be used as fuel. We need energy independence."
Indiana has the tenth highest foreclosure rate in the United States. Clinton said that honest people who pay their mortages regularly just can't make the payments anymore. This causes a strain on the economy. He continued to say how it would cost around $30 million to help those families retain their homes, versus the $300 million it will end up costing the American people to assist families who lost their homes.
Education was also a big topic in Clinton's speech.
"We can close the educational gap with other countries. We need more and better incentives than just high test scores though," Clinton admitted.
He went on to say how teachers in other countries are some of the highest paid workers. That way students are sure to receive a good education rather than basing their education on how well they can test and how much money the school has to work with due to those scores.
Clinton then went into an intense moment about college loans for students where he banged on the podium as he said to cheers from the young crowd, "We are charging too much money for these kids. It would be better if it was based on the student's income, where every year you knock some of that loan off until you're debt free."
Finally, Clinton spoke about Iraq.
"We have done what we went there to do. If we stay there forever we're not doing them a favor. They will never make hard decisions while we're there," Clinton yelled.
Clinton closed by saying, "We live in a society that devalues the jobs that matter most," as he told about how his job was filled with the perks of having "Hail to the Chief" played every time he entered a room.
"I was lost for about two weeks after I left office and didn't hear that," Clinton joked.
Check out Bill Clinton photo gallery at www.bannergraphic.com/gallery/2756/