Published: April 20, 2008 08:32 pm            

Clinton vows to aid middle class

Less than 40 hours before polls are scheduled to open for Pennsylvania’s primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton stepped on stage in Johnstown and pledged to fight for the middle class.

A Clinton presidency will “get back to what works in America,” the candidate said Sunday evening in a speech at Greater Johnstown High School’s gymnasium.






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“I’m offering leadership that you and your families can count on,” Clinton told a fired-up audience of at least 1,400.

Clinton, who is battling fellow U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, was flanked by two key supporters who may help her win votes Tuesday: Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown.

While Clinton is leading in polls of Pennsylvania Democrats, she still trails Obama in the popular vote and delegate count nationwide.

Pennsylvania’s election is seen as a critical test for Clinton’s candidacy, and Rendell said local voters could assist the senator’s attempt at a comeback.

“Every time the media has counted her out, she’s come fighting back,” the governor said.

Murtha’s endorsement of Clinton could carry added weight this year because the congressman is one of the party’s “superdelegates” – officials who might play an important role at the Democratic convention in August if the race is still undecided.

Murtha, before introducing Clinton as “the next president of the United States,” said the campaign is generating “enthusiasm I haven’t seen in a long time.”

In an interview Sunday night, Clinton said Murtha has been “extremely helpful.” She noted that he is a prominent expert on military and national-defense matters.

“I hope that Congressman Murtha’s very strong support sends a clear message,” she said.

During her short speech in Johnstown, Clinton stuck to the same bread-and-butter issues that her husband and daughter have emphasized in local stump speeches: The economy, health care, education and energy.

On the war in Iraq, Clinton reiterated an opinion she shares with Murtha: U.S. troops should be withdrawn. She pledged to begin bringing soldiers home within 60 days of taking office.

“There is no military solution,” Clinton said. “The future of Iraq is up to the Iraqis.”

With the campaign heating up in its final days in Pennsylvania, Clinton also took several shots at Obama.

She repeated the contention that her opponent lacks substance and relies too heavily on rhetoric.

“There is a big difference between making speeches and creating solutions,” Clinton said.

The Obama campaign fired back, citing his achievements as a state and federal legislator.

“You just have to look back on his record of public service to know that he’s all about solutions and getting things done,” Obama spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh said.

Clinton tried to use that legislative record against him, however. She told the Johnstown audience that Obama voted for a 2005 energy bill that gave more economic breaks to oil companies.

Mesloh acknowledged that Obama approved the measure, arguing that it would assist his constituents because it encouraged production of the alternative fuel ethanol.

“What the Clinton campaign fails to tell voters is that she has accepted more special-interest money than any other candidate in the race,” Mesloh said.

Murtha and Clinton also mentioned Obama’s Sunday assertion that U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, would be a better president than George W. Bush.

“We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain,” Clinton said.

However, she did not mention that Obama also said “either Democrat would be better than John McCain.”

Mesloh suggested that Clinton is looking for a way to salvage her campaign by seizing on issues that are not substantive.

“The time and the math and running out for Senator Clinton, so they’re going to be looking for things to talk about,” she said.

If the Democratic race extends beyond Pennsylvania the war of words is likely to continue. After her Johnstown speech, Clinton offered no prediction on when the nomination will be decided.

“It’s a very close race,” she said. “Neither one of us has this wrapped up.”

        

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