Clinton focuses on economy in historic visit to South Bend

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the West Side Democratic Club as his daughter Chelsea looks on

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the West Side Democratic Club as his daughter Chelsea looks on, Monday March 24, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — While Hillary campaigned in Pennsylvania, former President Bill Clinton and their daughter Chelsea stumped in our area Monday.

The Clintons began their day in South Bend with two historic stops.

First, they helped celebrate Dyngus Day with hundreds of voters at South Bend's West Side Democratic Club. It was the first time a presidential campaign has made a stop at the club since Robert Kennedy back in 1968.

President Clinton and Chelsea had a special guest with them — Robert Kennedy's daughter, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. All three of them asked voters to vote for Hillary.

"The last time it was like this at the West Side Democratic Club was 40 years ago,” said former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan.

Monday, 40 years after a visit by presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy, his daughter was here, along with the 42nd president himself.

"She can win this race and we have got to win!” Kennedy Townsend told a packed hall.

Winning in Indiana is critical. Indiana is one of the last states to hold its primary election, and it's still up for grabs.

"We don't want to go to all this trouble and not win,” President Clinton said. “There was a poll last week that had her six points ahead of Senator McCain and her opponent behind him in Ohio."

If his wife wins here, President Clinton said he also believes she'll take West Virginia and Kentucky, too. They may not be big-player states, but in a race that hasn't been this close in decades, everyone everywhere counts.

The stop in South Bend Monday is the second time in less than a week the Clinton campaign has visited Indiana, from high school gyms to small town halls, stumping for what they call Solutions for America.

For close to 20 minutes, former President Bill Clinton talked about a lot. There was the war, there was health care, but his number one issue was jobs and the economy — something he says his wife can bring back.

“Hillary's plan would create millions of jobs in every rural area, small town, big city, and suburb in Indiana by committing us to more solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy,” Clinton said.

Part of the plan would include a fund help pay to retrofit every public building in America.

"Just think about how many jobs would be created in South Bend if you knew you could fix every school building, every one of the college buildings in this community, every government building,” Clinton said.

“Think about it. You create jobs for college graduates like electrical engineers, but you'd also create jobs for high school dropouts who could change the windows, change the lighting, put in the automatic temperature controls, put sod on the roof to cut down on the heat in the winter and the air conditioning bill in the summer — millions of jobs.”

Clinton also told voters his wife, as president, would continue working to stop unfair trade, as she has in the Senate.

Karen Kirner says the senator's experience is what sold her.

"All her time spent as a senator, her legal background, the fact that she was in the White House for so many years,” Kirner explained. "What she wants to do with the environment and energy sources is right on target.”

The Clinton family hopes they'll soon return to the White House.

"She's your candidate and I hope you'll support her,” Clinton said.

Senator Clinton herself will be back in Indiana Friday, but it’s not clear yet exactly where she’ll appear.

Stay with WSBT News for continuing coverage of the Clinton and Obama campaigns as we move closer to Indiana’s primary, and go to WSBT.com’s Campaign ’08 section for more information and voter resources.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 4:52 PM Lamont wrote ...

I wish people were not turned off by political candidates that appeal to the intellect instead of the emotions. Those that appeal to the intellect are shot out of the water early on. Those that appeal to the emotions end up winning. Then people complain. We must look like the planet of the three stooges to any space aliens watching.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 10:39 AM exHillary supporter wrote ...

I too am a fan of Hillary's but am voting for Obama. I do not think she has the skills to overcome the hatred some have for the Clintons. I believe Obama does have the unifying skills. Even in this campaign, Hillary has been very divisive. She will do anything to win. I am from Chicago and a political junkie. I have been watching Barak for years and I have never been so impressed by a politican. If we are ever going to change things for the better, now is the time and Obama is the man.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 10:22 AM Dohhhh wrote ...

EV- exactly. The Clintons may have faulty memories but I don't. I predicted this would happen when NAFTA was passed....and I was a Clinton supporter. Now he is complaining about the very thing he made happen. At least acknowledge that you were the one who made the mistake.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 9:26 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Her economic plan is to retrofit every public building in the United States? Who's going to pay for that? Luecke's already chomping at the bit with the thought of spending more taxpayer money.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 7:31 AM ev wrote ...

Pretty interesting the jerk who started NAFTA comes here swearing his wife (who pushed hard for it) will bring more jobs (we lost) to the area.

Tuesday, Mar 25 at 6:59 AM Ann wrote ...

I can only hope that every one can see what a wonderful President Hillary would make. For forty some presidents we have voted men into office. It is time for a change!! If McCain is put into office it will be another Bush office. I cannot afford another republican!! Obama scares me with his church and minister history.Also he has very little experience. Wake up and vote for Hillary.

Monday, Mar 24 at 11:13 PM Aaron wrote ...

Carl didnt you realize Clinton is a democrat so thats ok to pay that mone!! But now if McCain comes back they will make him pay his own way and you will have 100's of posts on here criticizing him

Monday, Mar 24 at 10:42 PM dofogo wrote ...

I don't see how anyone wouldn't vote for Hillary. She is by far the most qualified candidate. She doesn't need on the job training like Obama would.

Monday, Mar 24 at 9:47 PM Anon wrote ...

They pulled detectives and other working people. Also, the security for a former President is much less than for a current President.

Monday, Mar 24 at 8:01 PM Pat wrote ...

Did he bring Monica? She's more fun than Chelsea.

Monday, Mar 24 at 6:05 PM Carl wrote ...

When President Bush came to town the city made a big deal about who was paying for the traffic control, police overtime and extra security. Who is paying for these things now?

Monday, Mar 24 at 5:26 PM Trebor wrote ...

Chelsea is no longer an ugly duckling, she turned out to be a rather nice looking young lady, but I still will not vote for her mom.

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