Candidates campaign in Missouri
Jan. 25, 2008
As the Feb. 5 primary elections approaches, two of the Democratic presidential candidates are beginning to focus some of their efforts in Missouri.
Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., conveyed their recipes for change in St. Louis on Saturday.
Both Clinton and Edwards focused on Missouri and stressed the importance of the middle class.
"It wasn't rich people who made America great," Clinton said. "It was the people who got up every morning, went to work every morning."
Clinton herself is from a Midwestern middle-class family.
Edwards is from a family of mill workers.
"The working class is the backbone of this great country," he said.
Each candidate described a comprehensive plan to improve education in America.
Edwards' plan for education is called College for Everyone. If a college student works 10 hours per week, then the government will pay for his or her tuition.
Students in the program receive funding for tuition, books and other fees.
"We have to make it easier, not harder, for kids to go to college in this nation," Edwards said.
The plan earned him the support of other politicians. "John Edwards understands that an education is what brought him opportunity, and he will not forget where he came from," Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, said.
Clinton plans to help children when they are young with her universal pre-kindergarten program. She said she would provide mentors to help families teach their children.
Additionally, Clinton proposed a $3,500 per year tax credit for families setting aside money for their child's college education.
"Your college education is not just your own investment," Clinton said. "We make an investment in you."
Clinton also plans to help college students become involved in national and public service to earn money for college, and she intends to end the predatory lending processes of student loan companies that take advantage of families.
"Any young American who's willing to work hard, let's give them a good future," Clinton said.
Edwards and Clinton also explained their plans regarding the environment.
Clinton wants the country to set a goal to move toward energy independence with homegrown energy. She wants every American to play a role, such as driving more energy efficient cars.
"We're going to begin right here in St. Louis part of the contribution," she said. "There was so much that happened right here that made such a difference to our economy and our security."
Edwards plans to put a national cap on carbon emissions and make polluters pay. He also wants to explore alternative forms of energy, such as wind, solar and biofuels.
Like Clinton, Edwards asks the American people for help in making the country more energy independent.
"Isn't it about time to have a president to actually call on the American people to be patriotic about something other than war?" he said.
Clinton and Edwards spoke of similar plans for healthcare and Iraq.
Edwards plans to create a universal healthcare system. Clinton, likewise, plans to open up the Congressional health plan to all Americans, saying everyone should be covered.
In regards to Iraq, Clinton plans on to begin bringing home troops within 60 days of her hypothetical inauguration. Edwards said he would withdraw troops within the first year of his presidency if he were elected.
Each candidate emphasized that this election is about the American people.
"I'm running for president not only to lead this country, but to enlist you," Clinton said. "I promise you I will stand up and wage a campaign through this year, and it will include Missouri. It will include all of you."
Edwards said he would be a fighter for Americans.
"America should be the country that the rest of the world says, 'That's who we want to be like,'" he said.
On Feb. 5, more than 20 states, including Missouri, will hold primaries or caucuses that are likely to determine the presidential nominees.
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