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Candidate Woos Critical Tar Heel Win
by Paul Annas
A few mountain voters could decide her fate
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A line of people wrapped completely around the Asheville Civic Center as Hillary Clinton supporters waited to get into the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on April 24.
Clinton was in Asheville to gain votes in her fight for the Democratic Presidential nomination against rival Barack Obama. The North Carolina primary election will be held on May 6.
When the doors opened, 2,500 people filed into the auditorium while hundreds of others were left outside.
The pep-rally began at 6 p.m. as Hillary supporters warmed up for her appearance.
The stage had bright lights upon a large blue and white banner which stated, "Solutions for a Strong Military."
Many in the audience, like Ann Bass, shared the opinion that Hillary "is the best candidate for president. She is a woman of experience, talent, and accomplishment."
Natalie Chotiner, a volunteer for Clinton's campaign in Western North Carolina, said Clinton "has the most experience and a base of strong contacts." She added, "She has much support in Israel."
Opponents also made their appearance to see what Clinton was truly about. Jessica Ward, a graduate of UNC-Wilmington, said, "She is just another Republican acting as a Democrat."
Her friend Roberteo Hess, a sophomore at UNC-Asheville said, "She does not seem accountable to her word. She seems to be all talk…Clinton can't say that she is accountable for the environment, drugs, and jobs overseas when she is just stating problems. She needs to state how she is going to take action."
When Hillary came out from backstage, she was welcomed by thunderous applause and loud yells. A handful of retired generals of the military flanked her podium and one by one told the audience why they support Hillary.
Then the moment came for Clinton to speak. She thanked everyone for their work on her campaign and said, "We will end the war in Iraq, and we will use military force as a last resort." Hillary said she wants to help the economy and feels that if America has a good economy it will help us have a strong army as well.
Then she moved on to education. Clinton's priorities for colleges and their students are to strengthen community colleges with a $500 million dollar investment and to create a graduation fund to help colleges improve their graduation rates. She would increase the $10,000 dollar scholarship now offered for those who serve in AmeriCorps full time for one year, and she would get rid of the red tape in financial aid.
"I remember when our country invested in the education of our young people," said Clinton, "and now we are at the mercy of predatory lending companies and their predatory lending practices."
For educators she wants to cut out No Child Left Behind and recruit and retain thousands more outstanding teachers and principals in urban and rural areas.
Hillary's speech lasted 45 minutes. When it ended, she went outside to greet the crowd of people who had not been able to get into the main event.
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