43
VIDEO: Hillary Clinton here Thursday
Video
Hillary Clinton here Thursday
YOUNGSTOWN — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton is coming to Youngstown on Thursday with Barack Obama probably not too far behind.
Clinton confirmed the local visit in a interview today via satellite from Arlington, Va., with WFMJ, the Mahoning Valley’s NBC affiliate. The topic of her speech will be about the economy.
When asked by WFMJ if she would participate in a debate co-sponsored by the television station and The Vindicator in Youngstown, Clinton readily agreed.
“I would like to challenge Sen. Obama to meet me in Youngstown,” she said.
The debate would focus on the issues important to Ohio and the Valley, Clinton said, such as jobs, trade and the economy.
Clinton will spend Thursday and Friday campaigning in the Buckeye State.
Obama’s campaign is having a kickoff meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Chevrolet Centre’s meeting room, 229 E. Front St. in Youngstown.
The meeting will organize supporters and volunteers in the Mahoning Valley.
The Obama campaign already has a staff of six, led by Jordan Hobfoll, the Youngstown regional field director, who’s previously worked for Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee.
Obama’s campaign will open an office in the Youngstown area shortly, said Ben LaBolt, a campaign spokesman. That office will focus on Mahoning and Trumbull counties, he said.
U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, an Obama supporter, is expected to campaign in this area as early as next week, said state Rep. Robert F. Hagan, a Youngstown Democrat and Obama’s Mahoning Valley co-chairman. Also, Obama will “absolutely come to Youngstown,” probably closer to the March 4 Ohio primary, Hagan said.
“The Mahoning Valley will be a critical region for our campaign and we do expect that high-profile representatives of our campaign will spend time there,” LaBolt said.
For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.