Stumping for wife, ex-president's speech focuses on health care, economy

Bill Clinton speaks at Central Elementary on Friday.

Former President Bill Clinton made a campaign stop for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign yesterday, appearing and speaking for over an hour at the South Putnam Central Elementary gymnasium before a nearly packed house.

Clinton, who was scheduled to appear at 1 p.m., arrived nearly an hour after that, but nevertheless engaged the capacity crowd with clear, definitive policy explanation of a potential Hillary Clinton presidency.

He was quick to thank Indiana Senator Evan Bayh for his assistance with the campaign in his opening remarks, adding that, "Hillary's glad Indiana is going to make a difference for the first time in nearly 40 years."

Although often praised for his oratorical skills, Clinton was anything but anecdotal on this day, simply telling the crowd of supporters and undecideds, "I came here to tell you why you should vote for Hillary Clinton.

"There are three immensely significant candidates in this historic election," he said. "You need to think about who is going to be the best president from day one. That person needs to be the best person to turn around the economy, the best person to be Commander In Chief and the best person to solve the problem in Iraq."

He went on to say that the two qualities that define a good presidency are, "making good decisions and using those decisions to bring about positive change in people's lives."

Clinton focused a great deal on Hillary's plan to strengthen what is obviously a strained American economy. He stressed the fact that a Hillary presidency would enforce a moratorium on mortgages with a five-year freeze on payment increases. He also bashed current President Bush's return to 'Reaganomics' and the 'trickle-down' economic theory, adding that Hillary promoted "shared prosperity and shared benefits."

Clinton then discussed the American health care crisis, noting that it is the costliest in the western world. He noted that Hillary proposed allowing Americans who choose to buy into the same health care plan available to federal employees, thereby creating a large pool of insured Americans, which in turn would provide the possibilities of subsidies for lower income families who are unable to afford health care.

Rising energy costs became the next topic of Clinton's discussion. He pointed out that Hillary was committed to energy independence via alternative sources of energy, such as solar energy, wind power, "clean" coal technology and increased biofuel research and utilization. He concluded by saying that Hillary would demand that all public buildings become more energy efficient.

Education was next on the list as the former president relayed Hillary's dissatisfaction with "No Child Left Behind," and her plans to revamp it if she were to take office. He added that the federal government needs to, "listen to education professionals, find out what they're doing right, and use those methods as a model."

He stated that in today's society that everyone needs to go to college, noting that most high school dropouts who are successful, "have a four foot vertical leap or are stars in rap or hip/hop."

That particular remark drew a few groans from the crowd, the racial overtones being all too apparent. It was, for the most part, Clinton's only controversial remark of the day.

Clinton then went on to the conflict in Iraq. He noted that the country was on track to spend "trillions," and added, "We've already done what we came to do."

He added that a conditional immediate troop withdrawal was among Hillary's plans and also stated that his wife had informed him that she pledged, "to not let what happen to our Vietnam veterans happen to those who have served their country bravely in Iraq."

The former president concluded by stating that the country is due for change, adding that, "Hillary's the best change maker I know."

Check out Bill Clinton photo gallery at www.bannergraphic.com/gallery/2756/