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Bill Clinton: Rural America is the 'Heart' of Hillary's Campaign

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April 16, 2008 12:47 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: At a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania this morning, President Bill Clinton thanked the crowd for being part of the rural, small town America that has kept his wife's campaign alive.

"See that, rural Clinton country? Thank you for that. Hillary's campaign has concentrated heavily from the beginning in small towns and rural areas, medium-sized towns, all over America. The backbone of the country," began Clinton.

"And I think it is really important. You should know how much communities like this have allowed her to continue to compete and be in a position to win this nomination, in spite of being outspent by millions and millions of dollars," continued Clinton, referencing Sen. Hillary Clinton's wins in Texas and Ohio.

The former president also reinforced Clinton's need for a big victory in Pennsylvania in order to continue being completive in this race.

"And so, if she is going to win Pennsylvania, and win it by a good margin to propel her to these other states, it will have to be in places like Indiana. Places that say, we need a president, we want somebody who we know can change everybody's lives for the better by empowering us to deal with these problems and seize our opportunities. So, this is the heart of her campaign, places like this," Clinton told an applauding crowd at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Clinton could not resist an opportunity for a little fun - seeing as the event was in a town that shares the name of another important upcoming primary state.

"You have given me a huge leg up within Hillary's campaign. Because, you know, we had those big elections in Texas and Ohio and Rhode Island. And then it was six whole weeks before the Pennsylvania primary. Now, they speed up again, and we go from here to Indiana and North Carolina and then to West Virginia and Kentucky and Oregon and Montana and South Dakota and Puerto Rico. It's go fast. So everybody's worried all the time, how are we gonna do this, how are we gonna do this. And I say, well, you need another scientific genius like me, because I'm in Pennsylvania and Indiana at the same time."

April 16, 2008 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (46)

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User Comments

Obama may have "The Boss, but billy always has the Everly Brothers!!!!
"Dream. Dream, Dream, Dream.... All you gotta do is DREAM!!!!"

Or a bit too much Elton John:
"This is ground control to Major Tom..."

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal | Apr 16, 2008 12:58:49 PM

whatever bill

in nc... who will be the heart of her race?

Posted by: white blue collar PA | Apr 16, 2008 1:03:09 PM

Tell the genius that his wife never cared about the small towns or states until she lost them. People can see right threw her now, we are not stupid. Also, stop asking for money to run her campaign, I think your policies have taken enough out of the pockets of America. Pay for it yourself or get a loan from your buddy Penn.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 16, 2008 1:03:43 PM

Bill is fighting for his legacy, saying weirder things every day.

Yesterday's big gaffe was Bill saying that voters under 50 were lacking both the right experience and the right judgment to vote for the right candidate.

He's chasing away the younger voters!

It's amazing that the Campaign did't decide months ago to send Bill to one of his Saudi billionaire friends and stay there, riding camels in the desert, till June.

Posted by: ken | Apr 16, 2008 1:06:02 PM

Bill is the Bomb-Diggity!! He may fall over himself in defense of his wife at times, but there is no denying his pasionate brilliance! We will see Hillary shine tonight as she talks about the plans she has to revitalize our country.

GO HILLARY 08

Posted by: Dee | Apr 16, 2008 1:06:24 PM

Barack Obama (D-IL) "was in Iowa talking to some farmers and tried on some of his 'relating to farm people' material. 'Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula?' the Senator said. 'I mean, they're charging a lot of money for this stuff.'

guess what, as Michelle Obama might say "Ain't no Whole Foods in Iowa".

Posted by: geevill | Apr 16, 2008 1:11:31 PM

alg: Sorry misspoke.....or misspell.... how does Hillary say that..... but look you got my point anyway.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 16, 2008 1:24:54 PM

al: Thanks, see in you November when Obama takes over the race.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 16, 2008 1:31:54 PM

al: I understand you are upset right now because the polls are showing Hillary at a large loss nation wide now...oh ya, in PA today she is down by 3%, so I will pass on that comment you just made.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 16, 2008 1:37:53 PM

al: That is ok, McCain needs more help, after all, most of the Republicans are switching Democrat to vote for Obama.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 16, 2008 1:46:00 PM

courtesy of ch:

Thanks to Bill Clinton for:

The 22 million jobs created
The balanced budget
The budget surplus
The respect and admiration of the World
The raise in the minimum wage
The support and defense of a woman’s right to choose
The cabinet that “Looked like America”
The successful effort in Bosnia
The appointment of 2 reasonable Supreme Court justices and ……

The greatest first lady in history – HILLARY!

Posted by: al | Apr 16, 2008 1:54:58 PM

How come no one calls Obama on the fact that his autobiography is a work of fiction and Obama have admitted such? How come he has such a bad memory that he can't recall meeting a wealthy Arab on the State departmetns terrorist list whom he met at a Rezko party? Rezko whom Obama only worked a few hours for? Wright? Yes J Wright whom he has listened to for yars and who he looks to as a spritual advisor.Obama explains away everything even middle America. All politicians fib a little but Obama lies well and his fibs are hurtfull, they hide a judgemental and mean spirit.

Posted by: Kimberly Peacock | Apr 16, 2008 2:01:35 PM

Al - Great point about Bill Clinton being the ONLY elected and re-elected DEM in 50 years.

Looks like Becky is not too sharp with her history either.

Posted by: ch | Apr 16, 2008 2:02:03 PM

MKMC - Isn't Obama a millionaire now as well?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 2:22:27 PM

Dogsoldier, WestCoastMessanger and geevil. Polls after polls have shown that your beloved Hill the Bosnian General is unelectable. Obama maybe a millionaire but not a millionaire + 800 000 from a foreign government to ship jobs from rural America to Colombia. That is the real difference here between Hill the Bosnian General and Obama. Michelle will not transform the Lincoln bedroom into a hotel room where FAT CATS like Ben Johnson and Vernon will come and sleep over. God bless America and God bless Obama.OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | Apr 16, 2008 2:29:53 PM

OK, people, our only other option is get along an work together for the white house or accept McCain.

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 2:31:48 PM

Well then that is what the voice of the democrats need to convey to Obama, that we want this to happen.

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 2:34:02 PM

You have to become EXTREMELY concerned about the media when usatoday runs a story about Obama having ties to 38 lobbists.

People say: So what? Mc Cain and Clinton have lobbists, even MORE probably.

The reason this is a HUGE deal is that Obama has consistly argued he doesnt deal with lobbists, and takes this high ground.

But the REAL story is how the ENTIRE MAINSTREAM MEDIA IGNORED THE WHOLE THING.

A story that big is IMPOSSIBLE to ignore. In fact, CNN put up that Bruce Springsteen endorsed Obama today. This apparently is FAR BIGGER NEWS than his ties to 38 lobbists !!!!!

HOLY RIGGED MEDIA.

Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 16, 2008 2:36:53 PM

Who cares what they do with the Lincoln bedroom, I care about the war, health care, retirement, education, gas prices, ISSUES! I want a democrat in the white house! When you grow up and stop the infighting maybe we can influence Obama what the right thing to do for America is.

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 2:41:56 PM

You tell me how to influence someone who said he thinks he already knows as much or more about foreign policy as clinton and mccain (come on!) and who thinks he is god's gift to mankind and i will be happy to listen.

Posted by: al | Apr 16, 2008 2:44:27 PM

justme - You have a democratic congress and a democratic senate now. Where's the promised improvements? Did the war end as they promised? Where are the democrats going to get the money for ALL the promises? That I'd be very interested in so why not explain?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 2:45:51 PM

Dogsoldier, you are so wise and I have appreciated your comments and we are on the same page. I don't know the answers to your questions. I just know we are getting nowhere now. No way are they going to deliver on all the campaign promises, I believe Hillary will try to do the right thing and I belive Obama cannot change what he does not know. He has only 1 year experience on the national level and he needs more. Can you help?

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 2:49:38 PM

justme - I know we're basically on the same page my friend. Yet, I sometimes wonder just what it is we expect from a democrat and whether or not our expectations are laying the seeds for a democratic White House failure because of ourselves. Somehow, I vaguely feel few of us understand the problems we're creating for ourselves.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 3:02:20 PM

Dogsoldier, expand please.....

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:05:09 PM

Dogsoldier; Your are wise, now how do we get a democratic White House?

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:41:02 PM

Dogsoldier:

Maybe you and justme can share the Lincoln bedroom in the clinton white house for a night!

but you are sounding more and more republican every day!!!

I think Hillabeans has scuttled any chance of an Obama/Clinton ticket with her "kitchen sink" approach. But maybe Senator Obama is more forgiving than I.

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal | Apr 16, 2008 3:45:53 PM

How many rural states has Hillary won?

Posted by: markymark | Apr 16, 2008 3:45:55 PM

Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal; I am an old lady and only my husband of many years will share a bedroom with me, but then I would expect such a comment from a hardened Obama supporter that refuses to see the true situation the democrats are in. Now back to the issues and strategy.

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:49:32 PM

justme - Wise? That's a crock. How do we get a democrat White House? Believe it or not the answer lies with Hillary Clinton. If she should lose then how does she lose? What and how does she talk with her supporters? And how often? And in what format? And how would Hillary be used in an Obama campaign for instance? The opposite would be true if Obama was in Hillary's position.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 3:50:32 PM

Dogsoldier, are you saying that our only hope is Obama?

Posted by: justme | Apr 16, 2008 3:53:47 PM

justme - You have two democrat choices at the moment. One Obama, two Clinton. Of these one will win. My choice is Clinton. Having said that you asked how in the present situation before us can a democrat be elected to the big house? Obama cannot win without Hillary supporters in sufficient numbers and Hillary cannot win without sufficient Obama supporters. Here we have the makings of a classic standoff. I suggested how the player (Hillary and Obama) played the game may decide whether or not a democrat gets to the White House. Nothing more.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 4:03:48 PM

Looks like somebody lies about lobbyists - Obama.

Posted by: lois | Apr 16, 2008 5:08:19 PM

Rural America is the heart and backbone of America. They know what hard work is and are NOT elitist to get the job done. Who is the candidate that has heard from the people and created the plans to solve their issues of health care and foreclosures? Hillary!! 2008

Posted by: Darla | Apr 16, 2008 5:29:19 PM

jacksmith....you do know jack! LOVE IT! You need a full page ad in North Carolina AND Pennslyvania!

Posted by: Darla | Apr 16, 2008 5:31:53 PM

Poor old Bill. So far behind the times and issues. Needs to crawl up somewhere and go to sleep (for about twenty years or so).

Posted by: Rich | Apr 16, 2008 5:34:42 PM

Hillary supporters, if Mrs. Clinton doesn't win lets vote for Mr. Nader. Please Pennsylvania people please spare this country from four more years of hard times. Vote for Mrs. Clinton. We need someone to pay this country's international debt, we need jobs, we need to keep our homes farms which rural America are the best at maintaining, we need Mrs. Clinton.

Posted by: alice | Apr 16, 2008 5:35:28 PM

We need HILLARY, VOTE FOR HILLARY

Posted by: original | Apr 16, 2008 5:47:39 PM

I have first hand knowledge that the Repulbicansin my office here in Texas voted for Obama. Also one of my white male republican co workers organized in his subdivivion for the republicans to vote for Obama in March. If Obama thinks he will carry Texas which is a republican state he and all his supporters are sadly mistaken.

Posted by: Pat | Apr 16, 2008 5:58:13 PM

If Hillary does not win, I am voting for McCain, I want to keep Obama from the White HOus.

Posted by: granny | Apr 16, 2008 6:01:58 PM

are you a fiction writer

Posted by: granny | Apr 16, 2008 6:15:28 PM

I don't think that it should make a difference. People talk and I listen and I hear-if he lied then, he's lying now. I don't care if he cheated, I just hope people don't base their vote on something that most Americans do themselves..Cheat

Posted by: gracey | Apr 16, 2008 11:16:09 PM

Lauren, IF we can believe Sally Bedell Smith's account...

Hillary's was a human reaction reflecting frustration at people who hadn't voted as the Democrats had hoped. (As a Hillary supporter who will vote McCain over Obama, it wouldn't surprise or offend me to hear someone in the Dem party make the same remark regarding women deserters post November 4 as I will be directing those same sentiments toward the party.)

By contrast, Obama's comments were an elitist's view of small town Americans: they 'cling' to guns, religion, bigotry, anti-illegal-immigration, and question trade policy because they're 'bitter' rather than because they may have legitimate concerns on those issues. Obama equates these concerns with economic uncertainty which illustrates the fact that he doesn't "get it" when it comes to understanding the core values of many Americans.

The "as if debating" segment of your post is one person's interpretive view or spin of the discussion that supposedly took place. It does not mean that Bill and Hillary had indeed debated this topic for decades.

Posted by: HoosierSue | Apr 17, 2008 10:33:09 AM

Let's face it - whichever Democrat wins the nomination will fall to McCain in the General Election. The voters won't buy the Dems' promise of stealing the profits of our successful corporations and hard-working people to redistribute the wealth to those who lack the ability to succeed.

If you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it's "free". It's an old lie politicians always tell, when they promise huge financial benefits to voters. The government does not have any money. It can only take more of yours away.

Belle

Posted by: southernbelle | Apr 17, 2008 11:08:46 AM

Hey Bill, did You forget her" Screw 'em?"
Clown.

Posted by: Linda,Fl | Apr 17, 2008 10:49:35 PM

Becky,

You are so right on the money. Small town people and smaller states are stupid if they think the Clinton's care about them. She claimed she would fight for every vote, what she meant was large state votes. He is the one who went into small states early on. She couldn't give two cents. Now, she is forced to mix with and drink whisky with the same people she dislike and insulted, white working class voters and stay at home moms! Poetic justice, you just wait....

Posted by: Marla | Apr 18, 2008 12:54:45 PM

I think Americans should forget the Lewinsky thing. The world loves Bill. He is human and his sex life has nothing to do with his outstanding presidency. OBAMA tries to discredit the best presidency in recent history of America which is better than his terms in Illinois. He was just snob running away for responsibilities. He has nothing whatsoever to brag about his record.

Posted by: John_Lai | Apr 18, 2008 1:00:43 PM

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