Clinton attracts 2,000 to Boardman pep rally for Dems

By DAVID SKOLNICK

skolnick@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

If the crowd at today’s Mahoning County Democratic Party rally is any indication, former President Bill Clinton said the so-called “enthusiasm gap” between Republican and Democratic voters is gone.

Clinton spoke to a crowd of 1,800 to 2,000 people, most who stood up rather than sit during his 39-minute speech, at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman urging them to vote for the Democratic slate, particularly Gov. Ted Strickland.

But the former president also spent time discussing how important it is to re-elect U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, as well as Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher for U.S. Senate.

Strickland, Fisher “and these members of Congress have done more for you than they get credit for,” Clinton said.

The former president defended the $800-billion-plus federal stimulus act for giving tax breaks to the middle class, saving the jobs of teachers and police officers, for creating other jobs and keeping the unemployment rate from going higher.

Clinton said he hated that the bill had to be passed — blaming Republicans for putting the country in a position where such legislation was necessary for the fiscal survival of the country.

For the complete story, read Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com