Hillary inspects red Cobalt SS at GM auto plant

LORDSTOWN — The GM auto plant here had three cars lined up — one red, one white and one blue — inside its complex for the start of a tour by Sen. Hillary Clinton as she visited the facility to kick off her Ohio campaign for president.

She immediately moved to the red Cobalt SS, opening the door and slipping behind the wheel, remarking that it was the appropriate color for her Valentine’s Day visit. She spent several minutes examining the vehicle and asking questions about it, even looking under the hood. She didn’t kick the tires.

Gov. Ted Strickland, who has endorsed Clinton, was at the plant to introduce her to a crowd of several hundred members of organized labor and Clinton supporters.

“What we’re doing this morning is important to the Mahoning Valley, the state of Ohio and the nation,” Strickland announced, but, in the next breath, had a slip of the tongue and referred to the region as the “Miami Valley,” which is an area of Southwest Ohio.

He quickly corrected himself and reminded the crowd that, “Ohio is being watched by the nation today and, when Ohio speaks on March 4 [the state primary], America will listen to what Ohio says.”

Linda Balogh, an afternoon GM employee from Struthers, was supposed to be in a human resources class at Youngstown State University on Thursday morning but skipped class to show up at the plant to see Clinton.

She got her wish as the candidate walked along an assembly line greeting workers. Balogh stepped up and got her handshake.

Shortly after Clinton began speaking, she reached down alongside the podium and pulled up a pair of blue boxing gloves, a gift she said came from Harry Meshel of Youngstown, a former state senator and former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party.

It was a tribute to Youngstown boxing champion Kelly Pavlik, Clinton said, adding that it also “signifies we need a fighter and a champion in the White House again,” a comment that drew cheers and applause from the crowd.