December 28, 2007
HRC: To Send Democratic Message To Extremists Iowans Must Vote
MASON CITY, IA, Dec 28 – In a speech here Friday night Hillary Clinton drew the most direct link between the unrest in Pakistan and the Jan. 3rd caucuses.
"On Thursday night, in a very real way, those of you who caucus will be not only standing up for a candidate, but standing up for our democracy,” she said to applause.
Clinton has been talking about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in every speech over the last two days, and her message has slowly evolved from an emphasis on Pakistan to one urging people to participate in democracy in America and highlighting the importance of women’s rights.
"I hope that the people of Pakistan can now have the opportunity to perhaps stand up and be heard, that their government and the leadership of their country will realize that the path to democracy is the best path," she said. "It's the safest path. It is the most likely path to prevent a takeover of Pakistan or contuining violence by those extremists who are against democracy, against women’s rights, against the future."
Then she made her plea: "Now, maybe more than ever, we have to pick a president who is ready on day one to meet the challenges and provide the solutions that our country demands."
She ended with an appeal she has developed in the last week or so, urging Iowans to stand up for themselves -- and for others who can’t caucus.
"There will be people who are not in even Iowa who will be hoping and praying that you’ll caucus for them," she said. "People who care about the direction of our country."
(NBC/NJ's ATHENA JONES)
Posted at 09:48 PM
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