JOAN BARRON Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - Tailoring her remarks to Wyoming issues and its history as the first state to give women political rights, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she hopes the state will support her as the first woman president.
Introduced by former Secretary of State Kathy Karpan, Clinton noted Wyoming is the first state to grant women suffrage and the first to elected a woman governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross.
She praised Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who attended the rally, for his nonpartisan, problem-solving approach to issues.
"I resonate to that," she said.
Wearing a navy blue pants suit, Clinton was about an hour late for an appearance before more than 2,000 enthusiastic people in the Laramie County Community College gymnasium.
She commended the state for being the first to adopt a legal framework for carbon sequestration.
The nation, she said, should have a the same commitment to clean-coal research as it had toward the space race in the 1950s. She said she would like to see the nation establish clean-coal demonstration projects, including one in Wyoming.
"What you heard from me in this campaign is very specific," she said. "I put forth a lot of solutions about what I think we need to do together."
In an oblique criticism of her rival, Barack Obama, she said, "There is a difference between speeches and solutions. I want you to know what I will do if given the great honor of serving as your president. I want you to hold me accountable."
She said she intends to spell out her positions on the economy, energy, health care and education, among other things.
"I don't think we have any time to waste," she added. "When the next president is sworn in Jan. 20, 2009, waiting in that Oval Office is going to be a stack of problems."
As for the economy, she said she wasn't surprised that 63,000 jobs were lost last month, having heard of the struggles of working people in Ohio, Texas and other states.
She spoke of the need for a cogent energy policy, less reliance on foreign oil and more efficient use of energy, such as hybrid cars, as ways to gin up the economy.
"We're not going to do anything to move us on the right path until the two oil men leave the White House, but once they do, let's get going," she said, to shouts of agreement and applause.
The audience erupted again when she pledged to end the war in Iraq and win the war in Afghanistan, if elected.
The men and women in the military have done everything asked of them, she said.
"There is no military solution, and it is time to bring our sons and daughters home," she added.
After her 37-minute speech, Clinton took a number of questions from the audience, all of them friendly. She also urged the audience to turn out today for the Democratic county caucuses.
Rowena Crane was one member of the audience who was "very impressed" with Clinton because she showed her caring for people.
"I think she's a strong, fantastic lady. I think she would be good for us."
Crane said she intends to attend the Democratic caucus today as a Clinton supporter.
"She talks about specific solutions, rather than saying that change is important," said Jeanie Martinez of Cheyenne. "She will work with all parties."
Andrea Franco brought her 15-year-old son, Xavier France, to the rally even though he is too young to vote. She said Xavier's teacher had been talking against Clinton, and she wanted him to hear her speech and make up his own mind.
"I think she does have a plan," Xavier said.
Contact Joan Barron at joan.barron@trib.com or by phone at 307-632-1244.