Clinton makes her first Arizona campaign stop

Hillary Smith

After endless personal debates with Barack Obama, on Jan. 22 Hillary Clinton had her chance to get back to what matters to Americans. Clinton spoke to a packed house in the gymnasium of Cesar Chavez High School mainly on the issues of global warming, education and health care.

“There is so much diversity here from race to age and gender, that’s how you know she will win,” Clinton supporter Matt Dunn said as the doors open to let the crowd pile in.

Excitement and pride were expressed on every face during the national anthem. Several motivational speakers came out to get the crowd going, or to distract from the New York Senator’s absence. Patients grew thin, especially with the younger children.

Finally, at 8:55 p.m. Clinton took the stage and with her powerful voice set the tone for the night.

“If your ready to change, I’m ready to lead, let’s make it happen!”

Clinton started right out with a level of seriousness on global warming and her plan to move on this issue the moment she is elected.

Pairing the financial hardship of our country with global warming, Clinton said she decided to solve the issues as one. She said her goal is to create the jobs for supply and use of natural energy and place jobless Americans here.

“The world is waiting for United States leadership,” Clinton exclaimed about global warming.

Obtaining health care has always been a problem for some Americans. Health care is either expensive, affordable and non-effective, or non-existent.

Clinton has an American Heath Choice Plan she is promoting, which she says will allow all United States citizens the ability to have effective, affordable health care.

“If you like your plan don’t change it,” Clinton said, “But for those who are unhappy, uninsured or under insured American Health Choice Plan will provide affordable, effective insurance when it’s needed.”

Clinton stressed her ideas on education and as she spoke about No Child Left Behind and all the way through college, the crowd sensed her passion for the subject.

Her idea is to have more connection between the government and the teachers to come up with new learning techniques other than constant quizzes and tests.

“Let’s make college more affordable!” Clinton said as she recalled her days in college when she had to borrow money from the government. Her interest rate was about two percent.

“Let’s get back to direct lending by supplying government funds for affordable, low interest school loans.”

She said she would like to see more Pell grant programs and options for students to pay their loans back in other ways than debt.

Clinton spoke on the need to end the war and said she promises to bring the troops home within six months of being in office.

Clinton stated that the United States is a fair country and will take care of those who took care of us.

“I will do everything I can to keep faith in our veterans,” Clinton said, stressing that it is important for the country to remember and be thankful for those who have served us.

Clinton asked for continued support from voters as an intense race between her and Senator Obama nears Super Tuesday on Feb. 5.

“Stay with me and we can go to the White House and take our country back! Thank you and God bless.”

“She’s very motivational, I hope she can do all she says,” said supporter Marie Gains after Clinton’s speech.

As the crowd pushed toward their cars sounds of protest came from the street corner.

“No more war! No more war!” chanted Nick Coons and other Ron Paul supporters standing at the entrance to Cesar Chavez High School parking lots.

Although the sounds of applauding inside were supportive, as the Hillary fans dispersed the comments of non-supporters flowed freely.

“I agree with Barack Obama, is it you or your husband running for president?” said Tina Mason, a promoter for the Ron Paul campaign.

“I think a woman president would be great, but it needs to be the right woman and she is not it,” said Andrea Garcia.

Cars leaving the parking lot made a big scene honking and cheering at the Ron Paul fans, “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!”

The visit to Cesar Chavez was Clinton’s first during this campaign. Sen. Barack Obama spoke at ASU in October.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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