Bill Clinton stumps for wife in Ripley

By CHRISTINA BRIGHT
RIPLEY — Approximately 500 people attended the “Solutions for America” event in Ripley Friday night as former President Bill Clinton tried to provide the “ammunition” to win voters for his wife, Hillary Clinton.

Lines began to form outside the Ripley Fire and Rescue Station more than two hours before the event was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. And crowds waited nearly an hour and a half after being allowed in the station for the former president to arrive from his previous engagement in St. Albans.

However, their spirits did not dampen as they waited even as the rain began to fall outside.

“Aren’t you glad you’re going to get to vote and your vote will count?” Clinton asked as he took the stage, his voice at time hoarse from touring the state during the past couple of days. He said despite what polls and the media say about his wife’s chances of obtaining the Democratic nomination for president, once West Virginia and “your neighbors in Kentucky vote,” we will be living in a new world.

“If somebody tells you you can’t win, it’s because you can,” he said.

Clinton then provided those in attendance the “ammunition” they need to win over undecided voters for Hillary Clinton. He said his wife is “in it for you” and wants government to “work the way this crowd looks” — for people of all ages, races and incomes. Clinton said the presidential nominee believes in “shared prosperity and shared responsibility.”

Rebuilding the middle class, allowing the lower class an opportunity to obtain that level and reclaiming the future for the youth are “her promise to you,” Clinton said.

During the speech, which lasted just more than an hour, he touched on the issues of job creation, energy, the fuel crisis, health care, education, the economy and the war on terror. Clinton said Hillary is the only candidate with both long- and short-term solutions to the gasoline problem. Among her solutions are a halt to putting fuel in the reserves and diverting it directly to refineries, dropping the fuel tax and allowing gas companies to pay into it and investigating “illegal manipulations” which have caused prices to soar.

Clinton noted the importance of $10,000 credits for purchasing new battery-run cars, which get between 70 and 100 miles per gallon of gas, and putting money into research to more rapidly produce lithium batteries to operate the cars.

Hillary Clinton also wants to find a way to take the carbon monoxide out of coal, he said. Doing so would allow West Virginia to export coal and technology and “generate a whole new industry for America.”

He called the health care situation in America an economic problem as well as “a huge moral problem.” He said Hillary wants to make the same health care provided federal employees and elected officials available to the public.

“If you want to stop making excuses and start making progress, vote for Hillary,” he said.

Clinton said Hillary also wants to start bringing the troops home from Iraq. He said her experience with military matters is greater than his was when he was elected as she has served on the committee to help modernize the military. He also highlighted the fact that she has gained endorsements from two former Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Literally, she is the best change maker I’ve ever known,” he said as he urged voters not to forget her on Tuesday.

Following his speech, Lucy Harbert, Ravenswood mayor, said she thought “everything he said was pretty much right on the spot. It goes to prove if you want a job done right, it’s got to be done by a woman.”

Carolyn Rader, Ripley mayor, said Clinton’s visit was “another exciting time in Ripley. It goes to show in a small town everybody counts.” She said after his speech that Ripley is a place where presidents feel welcome, referring to President Bush’s visit in 2002.

Young people also reacted to Clinton’s visit. Ten-year old Riley Keaton and 11-year- old Isaac Burch, both of Spencer, found things they agreed and disagreed with. Keaton said he agrees No Child Left Behind needs to be eliminated as it “causes states to lower their standards.” While Burch said he disagrees with bringing the military home so quickly, he did agree with Clinton’s comments on the amount of money America has borrowed from China over the years. “They could ask for that back anytime,” he said.

Phyllis Casto, a Hillary supporter, said she thinks “she’s a very intelligent person” who will think through her actions. She said Clinton’s visit was exciting for the city of Ripley and area residents.

Ripley was Clinton’s final stop Friday in West Virginia. Other stops were Madison, Williamson, Wayne and St. Albans.