Rallying for Hillary Strickland: Clinton has what it takes

The governor helped kick off the Youngstown-area Clinton campaign.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

AUSTINTOWN — Gov. Ted Strickland believes Hillary Clinton has the maturity and experience to be a great president of the United States.

That, along with her ability to get things done and her loyalty, are the reasons he’s endorsed her for the job, he told a crowd of more than 200 Clinton supporters who turned out for a Hillary rally at The Regency House on Mahoning Avenue on Friday.

Hillary Clinton is committed to public service and has spent her life helping people, he said.

“These are dangerous times,” Strickland said, referring to ongoing wars and economic challenges and accusing President Bush of pouring the country’s resources overseas and destroying the country’s relationship with nations that have been America’s friends for decades.

Hillary Clinton has a plan to move this country forward and she is the one who can make the strongest case for Democrats in November, he said.

She’s traveled the world and has international standing, as well as the support of a lot of retired high-ranking military people, Strickland said, adding she has the strength and ability to provide the leadership the country needs.

He told the crowd, many decked out in “Rally the Valley for Hillary” shirts, that he wants her first visit in the campaign for the March 4 Ohio primary to be in the Mahoning Valley and said he will express his wishes to her campaign.

Strickland said he is proud that the party has “two very special candidates” vying for the party nomination. Either Clinton or Barack Obama would be a better president than anyone the Republicans can offer, he said.

Although a proposed Ohio debate between the two has been derailed, Strickland said he is confident it will still occur before the primary.

Ohio has a very important role to play in the selection process, the governor said, referring to the closeness of the contest between Clinton and Obama, and the Mahoning Valley will be a big part of it.

Ohio may decide who the party nominee will be in March and then who will be president in November, he said.

Clinton needs the support of Ohioans, Strickland said, urging those present to send contributions to her campaign, tell all of their family and friends about her and volunteer to work in her behalf.

“I feel very strongly about this race and Hillary Clinton,” he said, adding that he believes in her programs to ensure that everyone has health care, bring the troops home and get the economy moving forward again.

The Clinton philosophy works for all people: Everyone prospers, not just those at the top as is happening now, he said.

“We need each and every one of you to volunteer to work in the campaign,” said Harry Meshel, former state senator and Ohio Democratic Party chairman.

Meshel helped organize the rally and said he was very pleased with the turnout. There will be phone banks to make calls, door-to-door campaigning and trips to all kinds of meetings to solicit support for Clinton, he said.

He also made a request for housing, suggesting that anyone with empty rooms in their home should contact the party to make arrangements to house members of the national campaign who will be coming into the region as the race for Ohio campaign heats up.

gwin@vindy.com