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Bill Clinton Sets Sights on Rural PA

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March 11, 2008 5:27 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Former President Bill Clinton began a day of campaigning in Washington, PA, where he promised the more rural communities he visited that he's committed to visiting the areas of Pennsylvania that aren't always the top priority on a candidate's schedule.

"I want to go out into the smaller counties and the rural areas and little colleges. I want to go out see how America really lives," Clinton told a crowd of 1500 in Washington, PA this morning.  "I think you represent the tipping point, the balance of America's political influence. We have people here who are young and old and in between, from all different backgrounds. You have to decide what you want for America's future."

Later while in Canonsburg, the former president reiterated his pledge, joking "Hillary, Chelsea and I expect to cover Pennsylvania like a wet blanket between now and April 22nd asking for support from people."

Proving the campaign's dedication to the Pennsylvania primary was a topic Clinton continued to revisit throughout his events.  Going back to a strategy that proved helpful in Texas and Ohio, Clinton told the crowd how Hillary's chance of capturing the nomination now rests in the hands of Pennsylvania voters.

"If she wins a big, big victory in Pennsylvania, I think it'll give her a real big boost going into the next primaries. We're gonna have primaries in Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, Montana, South Dakota and Puerto Rico. So we're heading around the bend there, and I think I feel good about it. But I think just as I felt she had to win in Texas and Ohio -- and she did, and won handily -- I think she's got to win a big victory in Pennsylvania. I think if she does, she can be nominated, but it's up to you, and I want to ask you to all vote for her and support her and ask your friends to," said Clinton.

Clinton, who seemed a bit under the weather, relished in the setting of his second event. After nearly two months of not taking a single question from the crowd, for the second time in less than a week, the former president opened the floor to voters' concerns and thoughts.

As always the voters appreciated the chance to ask Clinton about the issues they care about most, focusing heavily on American manufacturing and healthcare.  But, one man had less of a question and more of a compliment for Clinton.

"Mr. President. I want you to know that I think that Hillary will be a terrific president and she is qualified to be president on day one," began the man in the crowd.  "However, I think you were probably one of the smartest presidents we ever had. I would hope that you would be home the night that she receives a call at three in the morning," he finished up, referencing Hillary's 3 am phone call ad. 

"Thanks. That's nice of you to say," replied Clinton, clearly tickled by the comment.  Clinton went on to say, "I'll do whatever I'm asked to do. You know I got this foundation that works around the world, I think it does America a lot of good. I think, you know, groups like my foundation and Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, I think we do the world, America some good out there. But I will do whatever I'm asked to do if you elect her president. I'll do whatever she wants me to do."

Today has also been a day for slight slip-ups. Clinton was introduced at one event as "Jefferson William Lincoln," causing the crowd to erupt in laughter.

Even Clinton had his own verbal slip-up this morning.  Clinton was delivering a standard stump line,  "I would be here even if we had never been married," defending his support of Hillary. But, in what some might consider a Freudian slip, Clinton said, "if we had never been president." He quickly corrected himself, but in a week where Hillary's involvement in the Clinton White House years is under serious debate, the line sparked many ears in the press risers.

March 11, 2008 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (21)

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HILLARY CLINTON and her surrogates, lke her husband, as shown by this article, are focused on issues important to the American people. The opponent wants to talk about inside campaign factors which do not affect the American public. Personally, I prefer the champion of issues important to me, and that would be HILLARY CLINTON.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 11, 2008 6:12:14 PM

One of the all time most loved and successful Presidents we love you and adore you Bill Clinton and we need Hillary more than ever ....President Hillary Clinton 2008 what a grand ring God bless america the land that we love God bless Hillary

Posted by: daddywontsellthefarm | Mar 11, 2008 6:19:25 PM

Um, last time I checked, Mr. Clinton, a "wet blanket" was synonymous with being a bummer, a downer, and a drag.

So yes, I'm quite certain the Clinton cabal will *smother* Pennsylvania like a "wet blanket"! LOL!

And one last thing, Clintoneers: Obama had only two weeks to work the last two MAJOR HILLARY STRONGHOLDS, TX and OH, where she led initially by 20-30 points(!), and where she took one by a decent ten, and squeaked the other by measly 2-3, and lost the caucus. This time, Obama has a full SIX WEEKS to work PA. I wouldn't be so arrogant as to count it as a "sure thing" for Hillary just yet if I were you....

Posted by: Mark | Mar 11, 2008 6:20:04 PM

I know she Won!!!!!!!, daddywontsellthefarm.

Unfortunately, she just hasn't Won!!!!!!! as much or as often as Obama....

Posted by: Mark | Mar 11, 2008 6:23:47 PM

You and I don't agree often, smartprimate, but boy do we ever on that point! What a unforgivable waste of opportunity and talent....

Posted by: adam | Mar 11, 2008 6:27:54 PM

Hillary's opponent, and his mouthpieces, even present in this blog, indicate a preference for emotional diatribes and name-calling. These are all marks of political immaturity. If you want to convince me you'll need to use some better quality logic with a bit of facts tossed in for good measure. Meanwhile, the CLINTON CAMPAIGN is spot on in making sure the Pennsylvania voter is heard from with great clarity.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 11, 2008 6:38:02 PM

Adam, I tip my hat to you for your loyalty to Senator Obama. The thing is this time you guys may want to spend at least four to five times more than Senator Hillary's camp in order to have a shot at winning Pen state. Outspending 3 to 1 in TX and Ohio and ended up with a defeat, that was a boneheaded mistake. History tends to repeat itself.

Posted by: johnwhite | Mar 11, 2008 6:42:04 PM

Unless Clinton plans to win Pennyslvania by 140 delegates, why bother?

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11, 2008 6:44:06 PM

johnwhite - I thought Obama won Texas.

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11, 2008 6:45:00 PM

johnwhite, I reiterate: Obama has SIX WEEKS this time, as compared to TWO weeks last time, to compete in just ONE Clinton 25-point-lead state rather than TWO, and with nearly double Clinton's war chest.

And with six weeks to work PA exclusively, Obama very likely won't have to spend so much on air time vis a vis the Clinton machine, and this point, he's not working from so far behind in his quest to catch and surpass Clinton.

Will Obama win PA? He might. No one knows.

But clearly, camp Clinton has already "decided" that PA is theirs. Their arrogance and condescension are showing -- all necessary ingredients for a surprise loss to a come-from-behind underdog like Obama.

So please -- PLEASE -- continue taking a PA "win" for granted, won't you?

Posted by: adam | Mar 11, 2008 6:50:13 PM

If you look at collecting a couple more delegates in Tx( not by popular votes) justifies the 50 million dollars spending then it is not my definition of winning. I had a lot of admiration for Senator Obama but with all the money and all the rally, he could not even come close to seal the deal in Ohio and Tx.

Posted by: johnwhite | Mar 11, 2008 6:54:29 PM

And still you continue to miss my point, johnwhite.

You're comparing apples and oranges. The playing field in PA is leveling in Obama's favor. This time, he has the time, the money and the message to use to make powerful in-roads into Clinton's base, and this time he won't be blindsided by her bald-faced distortions and fear-mongering ads. He knows his enemy far better this time around...

Posted by: adam | Mar 11, 2008 6:59:07 PM

johnwhite - yes, I look at the candidate taking a couple more delegates as the winner. Period.

The only reason Obama spent more is because he had it to spend. Clinton had already blown through too much of her money, because the disaster of a campaign failed to plan for any sustaining action.

But back to who wins. Clinton's own chief strategist said its about the delegates.

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11, 2008 7:08:27 PM

Actually it was a few delegates Obama won by, as opposed to a couple.

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11, 2008 7:16:40 PM

Good luck to the Clinton team (surrogates and camp included) in the quest for a win in PA! We are rooting for you from the nation's capital!

Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 11, 2008 8:12:06 PM

Again DCVoter, I'll ask: If she doesn't plan to win Pennsylvania by 140 delegates, why bother?

Posted by: Paul | Mar 11, 2008 10:02:11 PM

Obama's opponent from New York looks to be slipping in superdelegate lead in the latest count: 247-211.


Posted by: Don | Mar 11, 2008 11:16:46 PM

When will ABC news webpage going to correct the difference in the popular vote between Obama and Clinton? He has a 680,000+ lead rather than just 100,00 as the front page shows. There is also a minor error in the number of delegates(It should be 1606 and NOT 1600 - check real clear politics and other sources)

Posted by: meg | Mar 12, 2008 1:05:35 AM

Good catch, Meg. Does the 680,000 count the 100,000 lead in Mississippi?

I haven't been following the popular vote numbers. After all, Clinton's chief strategist told us its the delegates that matter, and her campaign wouldn't lie, right?

Posted by: Paul | Mar 12, 2008 9:02:40 AM

Carl, add Geraldine Ferraro to that top notch campaign team.

Posted by: Don | Mar 12, 2008 10:25:02 AM

Hillary Clinton is lucky to be where she is in this campaign. She would NEVER be where she is if she were never married to an ex president. If she were a single female politican she would never have made it. That is a fact, hmmm wonder how Mrs. Ferraro feels about that.

Posted by: Wendy | Mar 12, 2008 1:01:29 PM

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