March 11, 2008
WJC: HRC Needs A "Big Victory" In PA
CANONSBURG, PA -- After a rare two-day hiatus, Bill Clinton returned to the campaign trail here today, promising that his family expects to cover the state "like a wet blanket between now and April 22." The former president again set the bar for his Hillary Clinton's campaign, saying "she's got to win a big victory" in the Keystone State.
"If she wins a big, big victory in Pennsylvania, I think it'll give her a real big boost going into the next primaries," he said in a crowded senior center in this Western Pennsylvania town. "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."
Clinton earlier spoke at Washington and Jefferson College, saying as he kicked off a tour of Western Pennsylvania that it "reminded me of home." He said he's going to stick to the rural areas of the state, because, "I want to go out see how America really lives." "I think you represent the tipping point, the balance of America's political influence," he told a crowd of nearly 2,000.
Clinton delivered a somewhat shorter version of his usual stump there, telling the crowd that his wife has been a change agent her whole life and is best-qualified person to be president. And while his wife's campaign has been drawing sharper contrasts with Barack Obama, the former president offered only a few glancing blows. He noted, in particular, that the Illinois senator's health care plan is insufficient.
"I'm telling you, folks, this is the first time in 60 years since we've been debating this -- in 60 years -- where we have the business community joining organized labor for universal coverage," he said. "Don't back off the universal coverage, embrace it. Go with it, vote for Hillary for president -- it's the only way you can get it."
(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)
Posted at 03:34 PM
Comments
Unless she loses. Then PA won't count.
just another dem | 03.11.08 04:03 PM
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A 3% win in Texas (and, uh, losing the delegate race by getting blown out in the caucus) is winning handily?
Someone needs to learn what the definition of "handily" is.
He got the wet blanket analogy about right, though.
NH Dem | 03.11.08 04:27 PM
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"But I think just as I felt she had to win in Texas and Ohio -- and she did, and won handily..."
The Clintons may take comfort from calling 51% and 54% victories winning "handily," but the press shouldn't let them get away with it. The fact is, after those narrow wins Clinton ended up farther behind in the delegate count after those "victories." Why isn't the press telling that story?
Spike3905 | 03.11.08 05:38 PM
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65-35. That's what she needs to make a dent in Obama's lead. Anything else is a loss.
AN | 03.11.08 08:21 PM
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"We're gonna have primaries in Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, Montana, South Dakota and Puerto Rico."....WTF???
How long does this guy want to stretch this thing out? Why the heck should the American public have to suffer the uncertainty just so Bill Clinton can hand the presidency to his over-entitled spoiled brat wife?
KRJ | 03.11.08 08:28 PM
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Is Bill Clnton not familiar with the meaning of the expression "wet blanket"? From http://www.answers.com/topic/wet-blanket: "One that discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm"
marlaerwin | 03.11.08 10:12 PM
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Oh I bet Bill Clinton wishes he or his wife were running away with the election like Barack Obama is right now. To see how America "really lives." He may have been exposed to that when he was younger, but it has been years since he saw the "real" America.
GW | 03.11.08 10:23 PM
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Unlike Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, Obama needs a more handily win...I am calling on everyone who wants change to support Obama. He's been an advocate for change all of his life. Every president of this country has supposedily been experienced and ready and yet, how many times have we heard someone cry out make politicans hold true to their campaign promises. This is because we've seen time after time where they get into office and don't fulfill their promises regardless of their experience.
I feel the Clintons have had their chance. They've become multimillinaires in the process...let's try something different, someone different. What I like about Barack is that he truly cares for common people. He's tired of seeing them left out. He identifies with the average people because of his background. I believe he will do just as he promises: Universal Healthcare, create jobs, unite congress to get the appropriate bills passed, end the war in Iraq and yet fight terrorists as well.
I feel his message has change some because he's had to deal with the negative campaigning of his rival in Texas, Ohio... They've diverted him from inspiring others because it was working, but I think people like that about him the most.
He's also had a lot of negative press because Senator Clintion felt they were being easy on him and so they turned the table on him and yet she benifitted. That was a nice tatical move. Now he needs to get back to what he does best. I hope Americans will continue to listen to him. And of course, he should keep talking about his plans.
CoolObserver | 03.12.08 11:03 AM
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