Manufacturing will be revived, Clinton tells Youngstown rally

By DAVID SKOLNICK

skolnick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, said if elected she would strengthen the middle class by reviving the nation’s manufacturing base and focusing on improving education.

To those who say manufacturing is dead, Clinton said, “I just fundamentally, absolutely disagree with that. You know why? Because I have seen the future,” she said during a 20-minute speech Saturday at M7 Technologies, an advanced manufacturing business. “I know what we’re capable of. I just had a real quick look at some of the technology here at M7 - technology that is so far advanced.”

If the country builds up manufacturing and protects American businesses from unfair competitions from other nations, Clinton said: “We’re going to have a manufacturing renaissance.”

The Mahoning Valley saw its economic base collapse in the late 1970s with the closing of steel mills. The area’s struggling economy is still largely manufacturing-based, including the General Motors complex in Lordstown.

Clinton said, as a U.S. senator, she was proud to vote for the auto bailout bill.

About 500 people crowded into M7, some standing for three hours to hear Clinton speak. She was 45 minutes late.

Clinton was the first presidential candidate to campaign in the Mahoning Valley, but she certainly isn’t the last.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic primary, will be at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown early Monday, the day before Ohio’s primary.

Sanders’ website states doors will open at the Youngstown-owned center at 8 a.m. for “A Future to Believe in Rally.” Tickets aren’t required, but RSVPs are encouraged by going to https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/rally/44hd7. The center sent an email late Saturday confirming the Sanders’ rally stating it will begin at 11 a.m., three hours after the facility will start allowing people inside.

Also, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican presidential candidate, will campaign today at 6 p.m. at the Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn in Hanoverton, and on Monday at 10 a.m. at Brilex Industries Inc. in Youngstown.

At M7, Clinton said as president she would make sure trade agreements are properly enforced.

She spoke about her opposition to weak “rules of origin” that allow cars made with cheaper materials from other countries, particularly China, to receive benefits of being “made in America” and eligible for preferences under trade deals.

Under the Trans-Pacific Partnership - which President Barack Obama supports, but Clinton, his former secretary of state, opposes – the content threshold for vehicles is 45 percent, meaning cars could receive the benefits of the trade agreement as long as at least that percentage of the car was built in the United States.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, who introduced Clinton said she “is the most qualified candidate to run for president in my lifetime.”

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, also stood with Clinton on stage saying she “has the plan to resuscitate manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley.”

In Youngstown, where a state board is taking control of its school system, Clinton said, “There are too many Republicans who want to shut down public education.”

Clinton said that children in poor school districts aren’t getting the same education as others.

“We can’t let Republicans continue to dismantle the middle class,” she said.

Clinton urged the crowd to vote for her.

“If you will stand with me and vote for me, I promise you this – I will work my heart out for you,” she said.

There were a few protestors who tried to shout down Clinton and were somewhat successful in making it difficult for some in the audience to hear her. One man was taken out of the building when he wouldn’t stop yelling while another was permitted to stay on the floor about 25 feet from Clinton when he stopped.

Also, during the latter portion of the speech, Clinton was unable to stop coughing – something that has happened during other stump speeches.

She asked for a glass of water, and one was handed to Brown, who was standing next to her, and gave it to Clinton.

“Water would be good,” she said. “I’ve been talking for days.”

After the speech, Chris Gill, principal of Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa., said he was pleased to “hear her talk of supporting and not dismantling public education by privatizing.”

Adam Bickel of Cortland, who is attending Youngstown State University getting a master’s degree in college counseling, said, “She never fails to impress. She talks about education, especially for the younger people in America. It’s incredible how focused she is on education and manufacturing. I would have liked to hear her on higher education, but she’s phenomenal.”