Hillary Clinton visits Missouri

By Campbell Massie
Feb. 5, 2008

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., gives a speech to more than 100 supporters at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 9 on Sunday in Bridgeton, Mo. After two supporters suffered from medical problems during the town hall meeting, Clinton cut the meeting short.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., came to Missouri on Sunday, following recent visits by her husband and daughter.

Clinton spoke at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ building in Bridgeton on Sunday to talk to supporters about health care, education and foreign policy.

One of Clinton’s biggest issues is creating a universal health care plan for all Americans.

She made it clear that Americans who are happy with the health care plan they have would have no reason to change, but she wants to offer the uninsured and the poorly insured different options based on the Congressional health care plan.

Clinton criticized her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for not holding her belief in universal health care. She said she considers it a failure for America to leave some people to fend for their own.

“I believe it a core Democratic value that we stand for universal health care, because if we don’t stand for that then there isn’t going to be a big contrast with whomever the Republicans nominate,” Clinton said.

Clinton said she is not a proponent of the No Child Left Behind Act and said it was under-funded and oversimplified children’s education.

She said she believes in assessing children individually on the basis of progress and growth and would like to see the education system’s funds put to better use.

Ian Mackey, Westminster College campus organizer for Clinton, said he supports Clinton because she cares so much about children.

“She has the best health care plan for children, universal pre-k, she worked for the Children’s Defense Fund and anybody who cares that much about kids, you know they are sincere about what they do,” Mackey said.

Clinton said she would like to make America a respected force in the world again by communication and rallying around common goals although she would like to see trade policies toughen up.

“We’ve got countries that have undercut our labor market, paying people lower wages,” she said. “They don’t have to comply with health and safety and environmental regulations. So we are disadvantaged.”

Student supporters came to hear Clinton, who some hoped would be the first female president.

“I think she’ll be the best candidate for the country and I just wanted to see history happen,” said Danny Witzofski, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville master’s student.

Clinton took questions at the end of her speech from the audience on subjects that she covered as well as issues that were bothering her constituents, including climate change and the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in the military.

One constituent questioned Clinton’s ability to work with Republicans, to which she responded she would create alliances with Republicans and has already worked with them in the Senate.

“Its important to find a common ground, but it also important to stand our ground,” Clinton said.

Share on Facebook

Hillary Clinton visits Missouri

More Feb. 5, 2008 Outlook Stories

Most recent Outlook Stories