Clinton talks gas prices to workers at South Bend plant

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke to workers at the Deluxe Sheet Metal Plant in South Bend

Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke to workers at the Deluxe Sheet Metal Plant in South Bend on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — The Indiana primaries are just six days away, and both Democratic presidential candidates have been giving the state a lot of attention. Sen. Hillary Clinton arrived in South Bend Tuesday night for her fourth visit to the area.

Wednesday morning, she drove to work with Jason Wifling, an employee at Deluxe Sheet Metal in South Bend. They stopped at a gas station in Roseland, where Clinton helped pay for the gas — $63 for a little more than half a tank. Clinton admitted she rarely pumps her own gas; the Secret Service does it for her.

"I have a unique situation," Clinton said. "But I've certainly heard from a lot of people about how much it costs them to buy gas."

Then she went to the Deluxe Sheet Metal plant in South Bend. Clinton covered a lot of issues that hit very close to home, including gas prices, food prices and energy costs. She toured the plant and talked to some of the workers and their families for about an hour.

She touted her plans to reduce high gas prices, both short term and long term. It includes a suspension of the federal portion of gas taxes over the summer by requiring the oil companies to pay it, through a windfall profits tax.

"Some people say that's not a lot of money, well depends on what you do for a living and how far you drive to work," Clinton said. "If you're a trucker, that's a lot of money. If you're a farmer, that's a lot of money."

She also asked for their votes in next Tuesday's primary, saying Hoosiers need someone in the White House who can stand up for middle class Americans.

Many workers said they're voting for her because she stands behind unions. Others still haven't made up their minds.

"In a year and four months I'm going to retire and I'd like to see about Social Security, Medicare, stuff like that,” said Frank VanLeeuwen, an employee at Deluxe Sheet Metal. “And of course gas prices, that's on everybody's mind.”

Her opponent Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday in North Carolina he doesn't support Clinton's plan. He said in that state it would hurt highway construction and cost 7,000 jobs. He says his middle class tax cut plan would be a better solution. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican Nominee, supports Sen. Clinton's idea, but doesn't think oil companies should pay.

From here, Clinton headed to Portage, Lafayette, Kokomo, Jeffersonville and Terre Haute.

Thursday, May 8 at 6:18 PM Michael Lewis wrote ...

Demand $2 Gallon Oil cost $120 a barrel on May 5, 2008. A barrel of synthetic fuel from coal is estimated to be $55, including the infrastructure investments and labor to operate the plant. Germany fought WWII with synfuel from coal, proven technology. America has 1/3rd of the coal on the planet. We can eliminate dependence on foreign oil and stop sending billions to countries that sponsor terrorism. Every billion in trade deficit costs 13,000 American jobs. $400 billion for oil

Thursday, May 1 at 3:47 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I just saw a Roto-Rooter truck in front of the Downtown Marriott hotel where Sen. Clinton was staying yesterday. (No joke) Proof positive that she is full of crap!

Thursday, May 1 at 3:02 PM vet wrote ...

John from St Joe Co. , where did you get your facts??

Thursday, May 1 at 12:39 PM The Thinker wrote ...

People like John need to remember that she herself voted to take action in Iraq as well as other demo's with the very same intelligence as the repub's. Even Slick Willy & Teddy said he needed to be taken out before W came in. People like you just hope no one remembers or is too stupid like you to think for themselves! If a dem was in office right now you can bet your last dollar they would be saying how much better off Iraq is and yada yada yada yada. Go back to your Michael Moore movies!

Thursday, May 1 at 9:21 AM willie wrote ...

The only gas that Hillary is really worried about is what she gets when she eats beans. All of the problems that she is harping about have been there while she was in the senate and she hasn't proposed any legislation to alliviate any of the problems. The bottom line is that the old bag will say or do anything to be president. She has no integrity, her old man is going senile and her kid is still ugly-plenty of reasons to not vote for her.

Thursday, May 1 at 7:57 AM JIMBO wrote ...

KEVIN KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

Thursday, May 1 at 12:47 AM Jim Walsh wrote ...

Phil Gramm, Bill Clinton, and the Sub-Prime Financial Mess http://blog.sustainablemiddleclass.com/?p=220 Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 Listen to Michael Greenberger on NPR’s Fresh Air http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89338743 Prof. Greenberger said that Bill Clinton approved a law that has contributed to high oil/gas prices, Enron and the subprime housing mess. Phil Gramm, John McCain's principle economic advisor was the major force behind the bill..

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 10:05 PM John from St. Joe County wrote ...

I repeat...4000 DEAD American Soldiers, countless Iraqis, LOST Jobs, 10 TRILLION DOLLAR DEBT all before the DEMOCRATS took office. And you idiots who don't understand the difference between a simply majority and a 2/3 majority explains Stupid Republican LIARS and MYTH Mongers

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:44 PM Jen wrote ...

Even the experts say it will only make the gas companies raise the prices because the demand will go up with lower price, in turn will raise the price back up. Not much savings but maybe for a week??

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:15 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Like obama can do any better? come on people, pay attention. they all are liars---they'll say anything to get elected

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:53 PM Ed wrote ...

John from St. Joe County the last 2 years the WE PROMISE CHANGE Democrats have controlled the Congress and it has only changed for the worse. Higher gas prices, Higher unemployment, more illegal immigrants, ect..... But the Democrats don't lie? Thats a laugh as all politicians lie.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:50 PM June wrote ...

Does anyone really believe that this would pass throught Congress in time to apply this summer?--Or that we wouldn't pay dearly for this gas tax holiday in the long run? PLEASE--Hillary is just saying what she thinks people want to hear. She just wants to WIN--whatever the means.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:37 PM Dan Martin wrote ...

If Hillary thinks the Tax Gas Holiday is such a great idea, why has she not submitted legislation to the senate... oh that's right, she would rather pander to the common folk than take action on a stupid idea.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

John atleast the Republicans are SMART enough to see thru bs the Democrats are spreading AGAIN! Remember all the changes the Democrats were going to make after they got elected the last time? Well where are they? I don't see them.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:53 PM To Julie wrote ...

I can tell you what Hillary has done...she has divided the party. Wait to see what she does to the country. And yes, I used to be a Hillary supporter but now I am horrified by how she has brought this campaign into the mud. Is winning important enough that you need to divide the party? She is ready to win at all costs and I for one do not want that in our president. We have that now and look how well that has turned out.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:51 PM Hoosier voter wrote ...

For the employee who said he wants to know what will happen for retirement, if Hillary has anything to say about it-she'll tax ALL of your SS income. Her husband already made sure that you pay taxes on 75% of it, remember-that's money that was taxed when it was put in! Oh for the good ole days when SS paid the bills and you didn't have to pay the gov't for the benefit they owed you in the 1st place!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:49 PM jim wrote ...

so sad ,while everyone carrys on about the 3 stooges, mcain, obamy, or hillery, there is a person in the presidential running who understands the real problems this country faces,and what has to be done , but no one listens, is ron paul,

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:32 PM John from St. Joe County wrote ...

I wish all Republicans would stop referring to Hillary (and Obama) as LIARS. We've done nothing but live the lies of Bush, Cheney, Rove , Rumsfeldt etc. for the last 7.5 years.The Republicans have liedf about Fiscal responsibility (10 trilliio dollar debt), 4,000 DEAD U.S. service people over weapons of mass illusion, 1,000,000 jobs lost to foreign companies, military contracts to Europe. If I hear from another JERK Republican about, I will throw-up (on them, hopefully).

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:24 PM Julie wrote ...

Hey Ed, what has Obama done? Name anything he has accomplished as a US Senator.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:14 PM vet wrote ...

Hey Mike, choke on your stock....

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:12 PM NOT KEVIN wrote ...

JIMBO WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:00 PM walkerton wrote ...

It looks like all the comments are from Obama people.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:24 PM Anon wrote ...

What won't she do to win? I wonder what she will offer us this summer if she wins? Free ice cream for life?

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:00 PM Jimmy Crackcorn wrote ...

I wrote a quickie calculator to show the fallacy of the gas tax "Holiday" suggested by McCain and Clinton. I'll save $11.40 - not even enough for a case of beer. Sad. JABBERWONK GAS TAX HOLIDAY CALCULATOR : http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=13lkzo

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:41 PM South Bend wrote ...

I agree 100% with what Pat wrote about Friedman. It is a temporary fix. Not to mention, who is paying for all of Hillary's visits to the area? Oh wait, I forgot. It is TAXPAYERS!!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:24 PM Jen wrote ...

I heard she called "americans are stupid" in South Bend today.. did anyone else hear that? That is CRAZY!!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:48 PM Mike wrote ...

As a stockholder in several oil companies, I'm getting a kick out of these price hikes.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:45 PM Ed wrote ...

Sure she is all talk about gas prices now during her campaign; but what has she done about it in the 4 years she's been a Senator? Absolutely nothing, which is just what she'll do if elected President. Just like now she preaches American jobs as a concern, but she supported NAFTA and Billy signed it into law. Again 4 years as Senator and nothing done about jobs either. she is as 2 faced as they come people, just like Billy.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:36 PM JIMBO wrote ...

KEVIN, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:32 PM Pat wrote ...

Don't be fooled, Indiana. Read what the very respected Tom Friedman had to say about the Hillary-McCain gas tax plan in todays NY Times. It will hurt this country in many ways, not that Hillary cares as long as we all buy into her lies and she gets elected. The only one honest and correct on this issue (and others) is Obama.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:13 PM anonymous wrote ...

gas prices aren't on my mind Frank. I feel blessed that gasoline is offered to me for purchase.

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