Sen. Hillary Clinton faced some hard questions about the tone of the Democratic primary campaign and her experience making tough decisions during a campaign stop at South Eugene High School Saturday.
A young man who identified himself as a Barack Obama supporter told Clinton it had been “hard to be a Democrat” recently. He said he worried about the future of the party and asked if she regretted any comments she or her surrogates had made about Obama.
Clinton thanked the man for coming and told him, “I obviously see it differently.” She said the campaign has been civil.
“I have to tell you that there have even been some things said about me. I don’t take any of it personally, and I don’t take most of it seriously,” she said. “If you can’t take the heat, don’t run for president, because it’s a very hot kitchen in the White House.”
Another man asked Clinton about her “3 a.m.” ads that portray her as the only candidate ready to deal with a crisis in the middle of the night. The man mentioned her votes to authorize force against Iraq and in support of No Child Left Behind and asked Clinton to list times she made politically unpopular decisions.
Clinton said the votes of legislators were different from the decisions of presidents. She also said that her 2002 vote was not a vote for war, and she blamed President George Bush for not sending weapons inspectors into Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s regime would have collapsed when no weapons were found, Clinton said.
The high school gymnasium, which seats roughly 2,500 people, was near capacity. Most of those in attendance were either much older or younger than the 10,000 college students who filled McArthur Court to see Obama two weeks ago.
At Mac Court, hip hop music blasted and students danced while awaiting the candidate. At South Eugene High, silver-haired attendees and small children sat on folding chairs while easy listening and country songs played. A “South Cheerleaders for Hillary” banner hung from the bleachers.
The event had a town hall feeling, with Clinton taking questions from the audience, some without the aid of a microphone.
University junior Matt Garvey said he favors Obama, but he “will be excited to support either of the Democratic candidates against John McCain.”
Garvey was more forgiving than some Obama supporters of Clinton’s tough jabs. “I understand that it’s politics and they’re both trying to win,” he said. “As a politician, she should be free to do that.”
Clinton was joined on stage by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley, two prominent Oregon Democrats who have endorsed her. Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy were also in attendance.
“There is no doubt among any of any of us,” Kulongoski said, “that she is the smartest and most experienced candidate in either party.” He said Clinton’s experience was not only from her public life, but also “life experience that serves the working people in this state and in this country.”
Hooley said Clinton would change the direction of the country, after “the disaster of the Bush administration.”
Most of Clinton’s speech dealt with bread-and-butter issues of interest to lower-income voters who have been among her most reliable supporters in earlier primaries. Clinton spoke about improving access to health care and making it more affordable, as well as creating jobs by improving the nation’s infrastructure.
“The people who built America should be asked to rebuild America,” she said.
Clinton also spoke about fighting global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, raising vehicle fuel efficiency and creating alternative sources of energy.
“Yes, even Oregon can do solar power. I’m convinced of that,” she said to laughs.
She also spoke about parity of health coverage for mental illness and lowering interest rates on federal loans for higher education. Clinton said she would increase Pell Grants and scrap Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms.
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