From The Road
February 19, 2008 6:55 AM

Clinton: "We Don't Need To Have a Beer With the Next President"

By
Fernando Suarez
Topics
Hillary Clinton
(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

MADISON, WIS. -- During a campaign stop Monday night, Hillary Clinton warned a crowd of several thousand supporters that picking a president should be based more on experience than popularity, pointing out that President George W. Bush is a product of voters choosing based a president based on popularity.

"We need to know as specifically as possible what our next president intends to do. We don't need a leap of faith, we don't need to have a beer with the next president, we had that president," she said.

"I'd be happy to have a beer too we can talk about what we're going to do to solve our problems."

Clinton, who stayed on message throughout her remarks focused on the economy, health care and education. But she found moments to take jabs at Barack Obama without naming him saying, "I know that contrasts have been drawn often in this campaign between the soaring rhetoric and the speeches. But I have to say there is a difference between speeches and solutions," said Clinton drawing loud applause from the crowd.

Clinton also attacked Obama on health care pointing out that she is the only candidate who offers a universal health care plan. Clinton said it is "unconstitutional to discriminate against sick people."

As she often does at these rallys, Clinton asked the crowd who she should "leave out" of her plan, a subtle dig at Obama whose health care plan, she claims, leaves out 15 million people. At one point, someone in the crowd yelled, "Leave out Obama."

"I'm not going to leave out anybody. I'm not running for president to put Band-Aids on problems," she responded.

Clinton's visit to Madison is her last stop in Wisconsin before voters head to the polls today. Clinton's daughter Chelsea, who joined her at this event, will be campaigning here today while Sen. Clinton heads to Ohio for campaign events in Cleveland and Youngstown.

Add a Comment
by coco0331 February 19, 2008 7:44 PM EST
The Iraq war was planned in advance by W and company,Hillary was''nt the only one manipulated with trickery and lies. And about NAFTA, who better to regularly re-evaluate and correct trade deals with China and NAFTA.Stupidity votes against experience and proven leadership..Hill and Bill or BUST. Your choice.
Reply to this comment
by DCropp February 19, 2008 1:12 PM EST
I''d rather have a president who will sit back and think about things than one who rushes in and makes poor decisions. We witnessed enough of this with Bush. Bush ran companies and his state into debt, but we were told he would run the country differently.

Now Hillary is saying she''ll do thing differently (supported NAFTA, supported China trade agreement, supported Iraq War)

Above all that, this is the scariest position I have ever heard any politician take...
She wants the super delegates to not listen to the will of the people. After all those years in Washington, was she sleeping during American history classes?
So many people gave their lives for the people of this great country to elect the leaders of this country.
Reply to this comment
by lradendorf February 19, 2008 11:12 AM EST
I always knew that Obama was the new Bush. He is well-liked and is just talk with no policy and clear direction. Look what happened.
Reply to this comment
by hoomonkey February 19, 2008 10:48 AM EST
i keep wondering, if she has all these solutions, and she has 35 years experience, why hasn''t she instituted these solutions before now?
With 8 years in the white house and nearly 8 as a senator, why can she fix things NOW?
If she is going to criticize other candidates for simply making speeches, I think she needs to answer that question.
Reply to this comment
.

Follow From The Road

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...