Clinton attends private meeting with workers at AM General

by Debra Daniel (daniel@wsbt.com)

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Clinton AM General Workers

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks with workers at AM General during a visit to Mishawaka Saturday, April 12, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Apr 12, 2008 at 5:19 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 12, 2008 at 8:38 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — Presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton made another stop in Mishawaka Saturday. This time she talked about jobs and the nation's defense.

Clinton visited AM General to talk with workers and learn more about its role in our nation's defense and security. Clinton says, if elected, one of the first things she would do is a comprehensive review of the Defense Department, which hasn't been done in 15 years.

She, along with Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, didn't mince words when it came to what workers are seeing now, and what they'd see under her presidency.

"We believe we have an obligation to keep Americans working; to provide for America's defense, that is our bottom line," Clinton said.

But, did she sway any voters?

Employees asked questions about what they're worried about, among them the North American Free Trade Agreement and troops in Iraq.

Many said they were impressed with her answers.

"I felt she was very concerned about the issues and it was from the heart," said Zola Harris, an AM General worker.

Clinton and Bayh also toured the plant, which right now makes 80 Humvees a day for all branches of the military.

Clinton spent almost two hours at AM General and says she will return to our area before the May 6 primary. And she may need to.

"I'm still on the fence. I like Clinton, I like Obama," said Tammy James, an AM General worker.

The government has extended AM General's current contract through 2009. It was set to end this year. AM General created a much bigger Humvee the government is now testing, called the ECV-2.

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:11 PM Voter wrote ...

I am just going to sit back and watch Obama hang himself and make the path clear for Hillary to win. I love it after listening to all your comments on how great Obama is and now we are getting to know the real man.

Monday, Apr 14 at 12:51 PM JIMBO wrote ...

I know it may be hard to believe in this land of liberal left-wingers, not as many people fall for her lies as you maight think. Some of us can think for ourselves.

Monday, Apr 14 at 10:30 AM Moderator wrote ...

Now we'll here from a few people who LIKE Hillary, folks; take it away!

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:06 AM Todd wrote ...

Thats correct CC, she didn't come through for them. Matter of fact, the biggest scam there now is the state she represents is trying to make Catholic Hospitals preform abortions. Hillary is not doing anything about it. She pretty much implied yesterday at a stop when asked that she is a holiday church goer. Which lines up...just enough to be superficial on the surface but think of herself.

Monday, Apr 14 at 1:06 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I was offended when Ms. Clinton called all Obama supporters “hypnotized latte drinking elitists,” and again when she said that victories in smaller states, like my home state of Minnesota, should not count. I am offended by her “pouncing” on Obama. It is so clear Ms. Clinton will say anything to win. I think Obama is the more sincere candidate, as state senator he helped raise the minimum wage. It doesn't surprise me that Cinton met with management and not workers.

Monday, Apr 14 at 12:15 AM H1 worker wrote ...

Chris is right about management not allowing anyone but their puppets meet with HRC. there were people sent home before their shift was over so that they wouldn't ask the wrong questions.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:39 PM CC wrote ...

She didn't come through for NY in the jobs department. By the way, that review of the military that hasn't been done in fifteen years, eight of those years were Clinton years. Since Bush has been in office, the Clintons made over 100 million dollars. Imagine that.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:33 PM Anonymous Voter wrote ...

Hillary and John McCain have taken Obama's comments completely out of context. There was much more said that what is being exploited. Do your homework and read his entire speech before you pass jugdment. I did and I'm glad. Hillary is pouncing on anything she can use to exploit at this point because she needs a miracle to win. Therefore, she will do whatever it takes to get the vote. She has already shown that she will lie. She doesn't care about anyone but herself.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:11 PM chris wrote ...

Am I totally wrong???? I see my comittee folk there... Tell me, How much money did you make to be there??? I think that the media should say that she met with a few workers from AMG. The company wants us to VOTE FOR HILLARY! Isn't that what Carter said?? So what she gonna do for me??? OH...That's right!! I think we should have been allowed to hear what she has to say! Just think of this. She gets in, We go out! Mark my words. Just remember 18 a day, and remember what else wasn't the

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:48 PM Trebor wrote ...

Hillary the hawk?? LOL.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 4:42 PM Concerned wrote ...

Mostly union folks I gather were told to be there. Finally, something for the Union leaders at H2 to do besides sitting on their butts all day and collecting salaries, while the rest of us collect unemployment.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 3:51 PM Hungry for the truth! wrote ...

Tammy, you say you were at the meeting, tell me, did they in fact serve sandwiches?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 1:06 PM Tom Paine wrote ...

Unlike all the historians and political science professors commenting here, I am only an expert in my own life, and what I know about my own life is that instead of job security, I want the security of knowing that if I get laid off, I won't get evicted for missing tax payments, or getting killed by insurance payments or mortgages. Most of the money I make gets forked over to a banker to make them rich for doing nothing more than processing my loan forms. No one can promise "job security".

Sunday, Apr 13 at 12:12 PM Mitch wrote ...

Chris, are you near sighted. What are all those UAW logos on the shirts in the picture above? The majority of citizens would like Hillary not to return. She has wasted enough of our money for somebody that is all but done in the race. She should be way more concerned about Pennsylvania right now...a loss there means she is finished.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 12:02 PM Todd wrote ...

And what facts am I missing Tammy? There are a several shirts with the UAW logo on them in the pictures. Chris was totally wrong! Hillary is once again courting the special interest groups. Yes, the UAW is a special interest group. When will she ever learn?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:17 AM Does this mean AM General Pays wrote ...

Is AM General paying for her visit. Don't forget about all the finicial troubles the Clintnuts were in while he was in office. What "can" Hillary really do for us working Americans? Nothing. She can't even remember getting off a plane in a war zone. Sometimes too much power is a bad thing. I believe a man should hold "the office" this election - and not B.O. - so that only leaves one guy. wheather we like it or not. Have you heard much from the other?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:31 AM Anonymous wrote ...

"I'm not bitter", but it sounds like Obama and his wife are.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:05 AM Tammy wrote ...

Todd,I was at the meeting with Hillary and Barry is exactly right. Please don't comment anymore unless you know the facts. You tire me.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:38 AM AMG WORKER wrote ...

Why are these select few people that were invited so excited about Hillary? If the look back when her husband was president, the place could barely stay open because of his massive defense cuts. they were running 18 trucks a day!

Sunday, Apr 13 at 1:53 AM Michael wrote ...

I am from Warsaw, In and I think Mrs. Clinton has good ideas and i would like to see a female presidnet.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 12:08 AM One man, one vote, no one worth it wrote ...

The fact that the Kennedy's support Obama makes no difference to most people. First, their political stanima has been waning for decades, second, they relate themselves to people like Obama when the fact is that every generation after Joseph Kennedy parked their cars in nicer garages than the blue collar Catholic voters homes that got them elected. They don't know anymore about what it's like to be an Obama any more than most of us know what it's like to be a Kennedy. I think we're all screwed!

Saturday, Apr 12 at 11:08 PM Goshen wrote ...

When are these jerks going to go away and leave us alone? There is NOTHING Obama or Hillary can do FOR us, but if they do even half of what they say they will do TO us, we are in big trouble! An now she wants to take all non-federal crimes out of the criminal justice system? What a dumb idea. Talk about ruining this country...

Saturday, Apr 12 at 10:46 PM Laid Off from H2 wrote ...

Isn't it ironic that Hillary talks about NAFTA when her husband made it's passage a priority back in 1993!It's also one of the reasons H2 is shut down now-the American Axle strike is a result of AAM's desire to move operations overseas and to Mexico!AAM claims it's necessary to cut pay and benefits by half to"remain competitive",while the CEO drew over 10 MILLION in compensatation last year alone!

Saturday, Apr 12 at 10:17 PM Barry wrote ...

The plant was closed Saturday, the only day the two senators could come; Hillary wants to tie herself closer to the military and is on the right committee; bringing a large amount of people into the factory on a non work day would have apparently created security havoc. She was at a huge rally after this. This small meeting met the campaign's need; there were many more union people there than management, according to sources I know of.

Saturday, Apr 12 at 9:49 PM Annie wrote ...

Caroline Kennedy campaigns for Obama She said she was moved to endorse the Illinois senator earlier this year - in a New York Times piece that compared Obama to her father - because of "that quality that Barack Obama has to be inspiring to a new generation, because this really is a crucial time in our history." http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080412__Camelot__comes_to_Mount_Airy.html

Saturday, Apr 12 at 8:11 PM Anonoymus wrote ...

Obama is about the people. He is for telling the truth. How would you feel if you were told that something positive was going to happen over and over again and it never does. Please don't mistake his comments for something negative. If your boss told you that you were going to get a promotion and you never did how would you feel. Come on people don't let other people change the message. Hilary does not care about the people. She is trying to use this Obama's message to get her votes.

Saturday, Apr 12 at 7:27 PM Todd wrote ...

I'm sorry you couldn't meet her Chris. It is not your management's fault. Hillary's staff tells them who she wants to talk to. So it was Hillary that did not want to meet you...not the management denying the chance.

Saturday, Apr 12 at 7:22 PM Steve P wrote ...

Chris, wow, do you make great points. let me add, as an advisory, when the Senator's lips are moving, assume she is either dreaming or lying, placating, or lately, simply mis-speaking. Doing that will help many decode Hillary..and vote clearly!

Saturday, Apr 12 at 7:17 PM It's taken a nasty turn.. wrote ...

Well Chris, they may have done you a favor cause I gotta tell ya buddy; the 8 in the picture, they don't look real happy to be there. In fact I think that one gentleman is pointing out that he was told there'd be sandwiches. As far as the rest of them? I think they are willing to chole it down for $38 @ hour, but I wouldn't venture to guess for how long! But at least she didn't come out and say she doesn't like them like Obama did for Pennsylvania. The same kinda folk that eat at the Sun Rise!

Saturday, Apr 12 at 7:10 PM The Thinker wrote ...

Bill had EIGHT years to accomplish his mission, whatever it was. Hillary's much touted health care plan went nowhere in those same 8 years. What really makes you think she is any different than her significant other...WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

Saturday, Apr 12 at 6:29 PM chris wrote ...

Too bad the media lies! Clinton didn't meet with the workers. She met with management at AMG... I think I would know! I work at H1 and they told the uaw workers.... the people who assbmble the trucks, that we couldn't come to meet her!

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