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Bill Clinton Campaigns Hard in Southwest Texas

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February 21, 2008 7:58 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos reports: Former President Bill Clinton is crossing Southwest Texas today, doing his part to help his wife's campaign win votes, especially within the large Hispanic population of the area.

"This country works when we work together. Not when we pretend we don't have any differences, but when we celebrate our differences and say our common humanity is more important. That is how we will go forward together," Clinton told the crowd of over 1,000 in Odessa, Texas, this morning.

While President Clinton spoke mainly about the issues affecting the people of Texas, as always he could not help but point out that this election is not all about speeches. 

"In Texas, it seems to me you measure the value of talk by the proof of action, and if that is your test, you ought to be for her," said Clinton in Odessa. 

Late, in San Angelo, Clinton continued that theme: Highlighting the premise that Obama might be a great speech giver but Hillary is a great change maker has become almost second nature to President Clinton while on the stump.  He even made a point to compare Hillary to presidents of the past. 

"President Johnson was not generally viewed as a great orator. But when he did great things he gave great speeches.  Harry Truman was not a great orator. But when he did great things he gave great speeches.  The most important thing is what you do. Your words will be lifted. In the end, what is done is more important than what is said.  And what is said should reflect what is done. And what is going to BE done," Clinton told the crowd. 

Clinton went on to point out that even an Obama surrogate didn't want to discuss what the senator had done, simply that he is inspiring. 

"The other night one of Hillary's opponents' spokespeople in Houston was asked, 'Well, tell us something that has been done down here that benefits other people and what's there.'  And he said, "Well, I don't wanna talk about that. I only want to talk about who is the more inspiring," said Clinton.   

But while Clinton made many arguments about speech versus actions, it was clear his mission for the day, and every day before March 4, will be getting people to vote for his wife in the primary AND the caucus. 

"If you're for her, you need to make a note right now and talk to your friends and say, 'I am not going to lose at night what we win in the daytime in the early voting,'" said Clinton.  Clinton also gave a rather longwinded explanation of how this odd Texas process came about.   

"This system was set up years ago when Texas was late, late in the primary process. No one ever thought that the votes would determine the nominee of the party. And frankly, the party leaders set this up so they could go in. They knew nobody else would go to these conventions, and they could make sure they had a fair share of the folks that went to the national convention. It was never intended to basically reverse the results of a popular election in the daytime, but it could happen," said Clinton. 

And as Clinton wrapped up in San Angelo, before heading to a final event in San Antonio tonight, Clinton made one final appeal for people to come out on Election Day, joking with the crowd,   "I ask you to bring everyone you can beg, borrow or steal to do the same". 

February 21, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (20)

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EVERYTHING IS BIG IN TEXAS; THAT MEANS HILLARY CLINTON WILL DEFINITELY WIN BIG IN TEXAS! IF OBAMA BECOMES THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, JOHN MCCAIN WILL PEEL OBAMA OFF INCH BY INCH. OBAMA IS LIKE A SACRIFICE LAMB TO JOHN MCCAIN. DON'T MESS WITH TEXANS!! YEEHA!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Posted by: TOO Independent | Feb 21, 2008 9:11:48 PM

Eh! With eyes back, we look at a serial eleven victories for OBAMA. That's a clear message that change of ideas and people leading the country is needed right now. Texas and Ohio are part of this country and strongly need change in the same way with Wisconsin and other states. Yes, we have to wake up but we have to so for CHANGE. CHANGE=OBAMA for 2008 elections.

Posted by: BOB RICE | Feb 21, 2008 9:53:41 PM

Give it a rest. Obama will win Texas. Then the voters of Texas will eat his lunch when voting McCain in November.

Posted by: OverTheTopInTexas | Feb 21, 2008 10:14:24 PM

I am from Texas and I say Texas will go to Hillary. I also say wake up people Obama is a good actor, a good speaker but he that is all he has. Hillary has experience, guts and smarts. She may be a woman but what a woman! I voted for her and as I was in line waiting to vote I heard nothing but favorable comments. Smart Texans for Hillary.

Posted by: Ester Rami | Feb 21, 2008 11:17:00 PM

Beg Borrow and Steal....

That just about sums up Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy!

Beg for Michigan and Florida to count...
Borrow from yourself to pay the bills...
Steal pledged delegates because primaries don't really *matter*.

She makes me ill.

Posted by: LadyVoter | Feb 21, 2008 11:49:57 PM

overthetopintexas, you are absolutely right that the voters of texas will vote mccain in november if obama is the democratic candidate. i think they'll eat him for breakfast - he won't even make it to lunch. and texas is loaded with electoral votes, just like florida, which also will go mccain for sure (especially considering obama's doing everything he can to keep their votes from counting). no way obama can win in the general without states like texas and florida (and ohio and michigan and pennsylvania, all hillary territory and if not hillary, certainly republican over obama). i already voted for hillary in the primary, on the first day of early voting, and look forward to her winning texas. but even if not, obama won't be pres. and although i want hillary to win, if obama goes down in a landslide in november at least we'll finally be rid of him forever. losers don't get a second chance.

Posted by: so saddened | Feb 22, 2008 1:11:46 AM

Ditto:

Beg Borrow and Steal....

That just about sums up Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy!

Beg for Michigan and Florida to count...
Borrow from yourself to pay the bills...
Steal pledged delegates because primaries don't really *matter*.

I agree LadyVoter!

But a lot of voters after the Barack Obama 10-win streak in Washington state, Nebraska, Louisiana, Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Wash. DC, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Wisconsin will be protesting the Bill and Hill cheats.

No,You Can't!No, You Can't!No,You Can't!

Posted by: Victoria | Feb 22, 2008 1:52:29 AM

When Gore gave up the Florida vote dispute with Bush for the Presidency. I thought well maybe its best for our country. After the first four years I knew it was a big mistake. When Americans voted to re-elect Bush after proving himself to be incompetent and a willing patsy to special interests. I thought We Americans deserve what we get for being so stupid. Now we have a Democratic candidate who can give inspiring preacher like speeches but cannot provide a record of accomplishment in the Senate. I'm disabled my HMO has continually cut my benefits and increased my co-pays yearly and now I can barely make ends meet each month and I find myself going more into debt to pay my co-pays. Obama's health plan reminds me of Bush's prescription plan and his plan to fine parents for not covering their children with health insurance is a indication that he really doesn't relate
to the poor and working class. Yes he inspires the young and intellectuals and has great turnouts in college campuses. But if work for a living or are disabled, vote for your interests not inspiration.

Posted by: James | Feb 22, 2008 2:14:30 AM

During Bill Clinton's administration, I was in high school. But I remember clearly that the 1990's were a long period of economic properity, stability, and security. I experienced in my family and American seemed to be economically prospering. We even had a surplus at the end of his 8 years (before Bush spent us into a deficit.)

I long for those good times to come back. Even more than that, I believe that if Bill says Hillary can do the job, then she can. But even more than that, I believe she has a lot of experience negotiating with those on capitol hill to pass legislation - that is going to be incredibly important to America.

Posted by: Melody | Feb 22, 2008 3:34:21 AM


Could not say it better, "If you work for a living vote for your interests not inspiration."

Posted by: gene | Feb 22, 2008 8:11:57 AM

BobRice: John McCain will knock Obama for a loop if both were nominees. Clinton's supporters would vote for McCain fast and leave Obama in the dust and he will still be a senator like Clinton. And I will definately drink to that. I am a supporter of Hillary because Obama is a fraud, no capabilities and has most if this generation baffled by his sweet talk. I don't fall for phony speeches written by someone else. If he can't write his own speeches he can't run the country. Wake up and smell the coffee. For going to college he is not that smart. Hillary doesn't need speeches. She is a natural when speaking. She knows what to say and what not to say because of her intelligence that Obama does not have.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Feb 22, 2008 10:16:58 AM

I see more clearly now that Hillary's talents do not include uniting people she can be (or seems to be) mean spirited and petty. It appears to be a personality trait rather than intentional behavior. She is not blessed with the warmth that her competition has in spades.

I'm sure that her advisers have ask that she try to show a more human side but it goes against her nature making her appear ridged and robotic with a grimace rather than a smile. It's human nature for people to read body language while listening to the candiates talking about the issues and sometimes it trumps the spoken word which is very unfortunate for Hillary.

Posted by: Sandra | Feb 22, 2008 12:04:10 PM

Fight on Bill and Hillary we need you!!

Posted by: Firefighter | Feb 22, 2008 1:22:06 PM

The media is ANTI-HILLARY cos most are Republicans AND THEY know that Hillary can tackle McCain, Obama will be eaten alive by McCain !! (esp. on debates where Obama cant read anymore prepared speeches ) SO TX & OH -THINK! we trust u will deliver ( just like the smarter people of CA, NY, NJ, MA etc) STOP this stupid HOPE, Obama is just another BUSH - just younger & lots of rhetoric, he's tapping on the emotional side of the stupid people, u cant be emotional on this Recession, we need a Fighter like Hillary who can beat McCain!

Posted by: marianCa | Feb 22, 2008 6:24:57 PM

I have listened a few times just to get a feel of Obama.

I definitely feel he has not thought through things deep abefore hand, except with a few headline sentences.

He did not come through to me as person with personality, not principled enough.

It is not true that "he is not ready", he will never be ready! Not of presidential quality.

Posted by: eRIC | Feb 23, 2008 12:56:45 AM

If clinton has the experience that we hear about, it should show in the way she manages her campaign and finances. She should probably list her achievements in the senate over the years. Else, what experience are we talking abpout? That of a spouse of a president? Ought this election about president of which all those running this year hold no fore-experience?

Posted by: noma | Feb 23, 2008 7:08:48 AM

LOL at Lady Voter...very cute post! And so true.

I am tired of the same old, same old...Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton or McCain. I am voting for Obama. Our country does need change!

Posted by: Alox | Feb 23, 2008 7:56:54 AM

Hillary Clinton is for the highest good. She can bring us back to balance. Part of that balance comes from bringing back the feminine energy so it stands equally next to the masculine. Hillary is experienced, caring, and will help women all over the world. Please give the earth and it's people a chance. Hillary is for the highest good. Please vote for her and help make this world a better place.

Posted by: Connie | Feb 23, 2008 12:55:28 PM

I agree with everyone that McCain will shred Obama to pieces in the General Election.

As far as I am concerned, I will vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee and 2008 will be the first time I will vote for a Republican candidate in my 50 years of voting.

Like Melody said, I am also longing for the prosperity we had during Bill Clinton's presidency.

It is either Hillary or McCain for me. I am not going to vote for phony selling hope and change. My hope is to get someone who will work for the American People.

Posted by: Indepnedent | Feb 23, 2008 1:00:04 PM

Voting for Ralph Nader myself.
Lets face it if Obama is for change then why is Nader running.
Tell you why because he sees through the smoke unlike most of you.

Posted by: rico | Feb 23, 2008 5:14:39 PM

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