Former President Bill Clinton works tough crowd in Warsaw

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Former President Bill Clinton spoke at Warsaw High School

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at Warsaw High School on May 3, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

WARSAW — From bigger cities like South Bend and Indianapolis to smaller communities like Warsaw, voters across the state are being told their vote counts. That's something many say they're not used to hearing. But do visits from big names, former presidents, even the candidates themselves really make a difference?

Matthew Towsley has seen tens of thousands of voters across the country.

"I think I've done like 14,000 miles in the last three weeks," he said Saturday in Warsaw.

Towsley travels for a private company, selling Hillary Clinton t-shirts, hats, playing cards and buttons.

"I call this the small town tour," he told WSBT. "Just because they're going through all these small towns. That's what they did in Pennsylvania and I think it actually made a big difference.

During his stop at Warsaw High School in historically Republican Kosciusko County, former President Bill Clinton's work was cut out for him.

"This country's in a lot of trouble, and you know it," Clinton told the crowd of about 1,200.

Dozens of people at the rally told WSBT they're not sure who they're voting for in Tuesday's primary election.

"I really haven't heard from any of them what I want to hear — even from McCain," said Larry Walls.

In his speech, President Clinton touched on his wife's plans for gas prices, the economy, jobs, the war in Iraq, health care and free trade. He also told everyone they can make a difference on Tuesday.

"Aren't you glad Indiana's going to have such a big voice in this nomination process?" he asked the crowd.

But did he change any minds?

Matthew Towsley said he's met a lot of people who have changed their minds from McCain or undecided to Hillary Clinton after hearing the Democratic presidential hopeful and her husband speak.

But even after hearing Clinton speak Saturday, Warsaw Republican Tom Allen said he will not be voting for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama on Tuesday.

"I wasn't sure, but he almost convinced me," laughed Bob Gast.

For more election headlines and voter resources, go to WSBT.com's Campaign ‘08 section.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:02 PM DMY wrote ...

Today was the first time I've voted in 18 years.We, too, were able to buy our first house during the Clinton tenure.We had money in the bank & didn't live paycheck to paycheck.Now that's almost all gone. Obama has NO answers to any questions except generalizations.We have that with the government we have now. Time for a change & not with him.I'm willing to take a chance on REAL change with Hillary.

Monday, May 5 at 3:13 PM veteran wrote ...

vote for Hillary, tell me what a "canidate" is, and maybe I will

Monday, May 5 at 8:18 AM CLINTON for PRESIDENT wrote ...

We built our home during Bills tenure. We are middle-class and worked very hard to do so. We sunk over $200,000 into the project. Now, eleven years later, I've come to find out it may be worth $175,000. Let's put another Clinton in the white house. Maybe, just maybe, we can continue with the American dream. HILLARY for PRESIDENT!

Monday, May 5 at 7:56 AM BT wrote ...

Why anyone would defend or support any of these crooked leaders for the past 2 decades is beyond me.

Monday, May 5 at 7:56 AM BT wrote ...

I’m rally tired of people defending the Clintons. They did nothing when Bill was in office. The economy was good but not because of him. The lies of corporations on how well their companies were doing are what kept the stock market going. Then it came crashing shortly after Bill left office i.e. Enron, Tyco as example. He did however sign NAFTA into legislation “thanks Bill”. Not to defend Bush because he did not help, only made things worse.

Monday, May 5 at 6:01 AM a Democrat... wrote ...

HILLARY for PRESIDENT and EVAN BAYH for VICE-PRESIDENT!!!

Sunday, May 4 at 9:48 PM vote for Hillary wrote ...

I am really sick and tired of hearing people put down the Clintons. Bill did a great job while President and there is no doubt in my mind that Hillary will do the same!!!!!!! Everyone looks back on bill with Monica thing but you know what all of the former and past presidents have skeltons in their closets. Not one of them was perfect. II have not met a perfect person yet so get off your high horses and vote for the only canidate HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, May 4 at 9:37 PM Heather wrote ...

I am a Warsaw native and just spent the evening convincing Republican friends to vote in the Democratic primary. I suggested this in good faith, not to wreak Rush-style chaos. It's so rare for Indiana's votes to really count in a presidential primary, and we have a rare opportunity here. Those who intend to vote for McCain can do him the honor of voting for the worthiest Democratic candidate so that we have two outstanding choices in November.

Sunday, May 4 at 4:22 PM Deward Bowles wrote ...

The gas tax holiday is nothing but a big oil give away in disguise. The consumer will end up with nothing and thousands will be thrown out of work. There is not support in congress for it and it will never pass in time. My vote is for Senator Obmaa.

Sunday, May 4 at 9:01 AM ev wrote ...

shame they allow double-talking criminals to speak at our high schools these days.

Sunday, May 4 at 8:34 AM Tim wrote ...

Jay, please check your spelling before calling someone a moron.

Sunday, May 4 at 8:31 AM sharilyn rider wrote ...

As a former Indiana resident I must speak out on the primary election. If a person is too set in his or her ways to vote a Republican ticket seeing the results of the past 7 years under GWB they they will be cutting off their nose to spite their face. The only candidate who has the judgement, vision, dedication for change for the American people is Obama. Some won't vote for him because of his color. That is so very sad. Vote for someone who knows what it is like to be from a regular family

Sunday, May 4 at 7:08 AM Jay2 wrote ...

Hey Jay! Hill Jacks? Takes one to know one eh?

Saturday, May 3 at 10:48 PM Jay wrote ...

Goshen, and Jake... you are the kind of morons that give my state of Indiana a bad name. Why don't you uninformed morons move elsewhere and quite giving this fine state a bad name. knuckle-dragging hill-jacks.

Saturday, May 3 at 9:12 PM Goshen wrote ...

Bill did not care about Indiana when he was president, why would we care about the Clintons now? Tell him and his wife to get out of our state and don't come back!

Saturday, May 3 at 8:50 PM CONTINUED wrote ...

5. A candidate that has accomplished something as a US Senator.

Saturday, May 3 at 8:41 PM jake w wrote ...

if you vote for hillary you will make a big mistake. there was talk about giving bill a job

Saturday, May 3 at 6:54 PM COl.[retd]A.M.Khajawall wrote ...

Dear Fellow Americans, Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America is and will face very critical "Challenges" in coming, months, years, and decades. It is very essential that we pick out next President on following criteria. 1. A candidate with "Vision and Statesmanship". 2. A candidate with " Stable Character and Morality" . 3. A candidate with "Presidential Temperament" and "sound Judgment". 4. A candidate with "little Washington exposure" and "connectednes

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