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A large crowd, consisting mainly of UMW students, waited to attend former President Bill Clinton's speech at the Great Hall in the Woodard Center.
Former President Bill Clinton greets admirers after giving a campaign speech for Hillary Clinton Former President Bill Clinton told the crowd at UMW yesterday that his wife was the better option for president in areas such as the economy, the war in Iraq and education. |
By RUSTY DENNEN
It was a greeting more fitting for a rock star than a politician.
But then again, this was Bill Clinton, the Eric Clapton of American politics.
Stumping for his wife, Hillary on the eve of Virginia's primary, the former president spoke for an hour yesterday at a hastily arranged visit to Woodard Campus Center at the University of Mary Washington.
Clinton, a little hoarse but looking fit in a charcoal suit, wasted no time winning over about 600 people--mostly students--assembled in the Great Hall.
"This school was founded 100 years ago as a school for women. I think this is a good year to elect a woman president," he said to resounding cheers.
"I've always want to come here," said Clinton, who has a connection with the school. He went to college with Stephen Stageberg, an associate professor of economics at UMW.
"When I ran for [student] office at Georgetown [University], he helped me," Clinton said, smiling. "And he was the finest member of the track team."
Clinton's campaign staff contacted UMW Sunday evening to make arrangements for the visit.
Richard Hurley, UMW acting president, said he wasn't sure why Clinton chose the venue, but suggested, "Maybe it was because he could attract Richmond and D.C. news." Several national news networks had crews on hand at the Fredericksburg campus.
UMW officials said this was the first visit to the school by a president.
"I've been here eight years, and I don't think I've seen this kind of a line at a concert," Hurley said.
Students--some of whom skipped class, or had classes canceled--started lining up after 7 a.m. in the cold for the speech, which began just after 1 p.m.
Clinton touched on major talking points that Hillary has been hammering in recent days--the economy, the mortgage crisis, strengthening the middle class, ending the war in Iraq, improving education, and cooperation rather than confrontation with global allies.
"These are challenging times," he said. "Most people think we're already in a recession."
Foreclosures across the country, and a "meltdown" in the mortgage market, he said, need the immediate attention of a president with a plan.
Hillary, he said, will challenge lenders and financial institutions to voluntarily support a moratorium of at least 90 days on home foreclosures, freeze fluctuating rates on sub-prime loans for at least five years until they can be converted into a fixed rate, and require regular progress reports in converting unworkable mortgages into loans families can afford. "She has the best plan [to handle] the economic crisis and the long-term needs of America," he said.
Hillary is the only candidate with a plan for universal health insurance, he said.
"This is something you should care about," he said in a pointed reference to students soon to enter the job market. Health care costs Americans about $700 billion annually. A large percentage have no health coverage.
"How many of you know someone who doesn't have health insurance?" he asked. Lots of hands went up.
Her plan would allow consumers to keep plans they like. Those who aren't covered, or want to change plans, would be able to choose from one of dozens of plans available to members of Congress. Or they could opt into a public-care plan such as Medicare.
After Clinton finished speaking, students rushed forward to shake his hand and get autographs. One young woman held a sign, "Bill Clinton for First Lady"
There were a few pro-testers. Mary Mann of Fredericksburg held up an anti-abortion sign reading, "So Bill--Do you feel their pain too? 50 million unborn Americans!"
Natalie Ellis of Stafford County was among those getting a brief audience with Clinton.
"I asked him what Hillary's stance was on giving nonviolent criminals the right to vote again. He said she'd follow up."
Said Ellis, "I was surprised he spent so much time talking with me."
Staff Intern Erin Leach-Kemon contributed to this report.
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
