Hillary on the attack in PA

Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 2:05 PM by Domenico Montanaro

Moments before the event was scheduled to begin in a packed auditorium here, the theme to "Rocky" blasted through the speakers, that classic movie about a fighter that was set in the Keystone State. The New York senator portrays herself as a leader who is ready to fight to get things done.

Today, she began by linking the wisdom of the nation's founders to her campaign.

"Right out of Pennsylvania came so much of the genius that created our government," she said, "and it was a unique combination of the lofty goals and values that kept us looking toward a better tomorrow and an understanding of what it would take. I think we're at a turning point moment in American history right now where we are called upon to look toward the future with confidence and optimism, but to understand what it will take, the hard work to translate all of those hopes and dreams into the reality of people's lives right here in Harrisburg. That is what my campaign is about."

And she continued the hope versus hard work theme she's been highlighting for months now, as she spoke about making a better future for America's children.

"We can't just hope that it happens," she said. "We can't just wish it happens. We can't just gaze heavenward and cross our fingers that it happens. We have to be prepared to work for that future. That's going to require, first and foremost, a new president in the White House."

Clinton focused on the economy and the need to create more good paying jobs and went on to lay out her agenda on healthcare, education and ending the war in Iraq, before turning her attention to Obama.

"Today my opponent is here in Pennsylvania talking about energy policy, and I think specifically talking about wind energy and that's great," she said, "except in 2005 when we had a chance to say 'no' to Dick Cheney and his energy bill, my opponent said 'yes' and voted for it with all of those tax subsidies and giveaways that have been used by the oil companies and others to retard the development of clean, renewable energy. Really when you think about what we have to do, it's not gonna happen just by asking people. It's not gonna happen just by saying don't we all agree. We're going to have to fight to make the changes against the special interests that dominate Washington.

"In Ohio, we just finished a campaign talking about NAFTA and trade. I have said I will renegotiate NAFTA. I will make sure it reflects what we have learned over the last 14 years and my opponent said one thing in Ohio and then his top economic advisor told the Canadian government, don't worry what he says, that's just politics. You know, the same thing happened about Iraq. I've been saying I will start to withdraw our troops within 60 days. My opponent has said that he'll have them all out within 16 months and then one of his top foreign policy advisors tells that foreign press, well don't pay any attention to that, that's just talk during the campaign. I gotta tell you, there's a big difference between talk and action, but if you're going to talk then you ought to mean what you say, so people can count on it."

Monday in Scranton, Clinton never mentioned Obama by name, referring only to "my opponent" when speaking about the differences between their healthcare plans. Today, the campaign telegraphed her planned attacks on Obama by sending out excerpts of her Harrisburg speech to reporters several hours before the senator arrived here, but her actual comments, which came near the very end of her 35-minute speech, were more brief than her prepared remarks.

The experience argument remains central and something her surrogates talk about consistently. Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed opened the event, saying that experience mattered.

"The Republicans have selected their candidate," Reed said. "John McCain is a good man, and there is zero, zero doubt, ladies and gentleman, the central theme of his campaign will be his experience. We cannot allow us to be vulnerable on this point. We must not allow doubt to determine the outcome. Experience does count. Hillary Clinton has it."

Clinton didn't forget to mention her roots in this state, where she spent time as a child, sprinkling her remarks with references to her family and fond memories.

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