In Texas, Clinton Has Trouble Packing the House
(CBS)
HIDALGO, TEXAS -- Hillary Clinton arrived to a much smaller crowd at rally at Dodge Arena this evening, compared to just one week ago at a rally in El Paso where Clinton drew over 10,000 people to the University of Texas. But in Hidalgo, where the arena seats 6,800 in a concert setting, the attendance was much less than that and made painfully obvious by the several hundred seats that were empty.
Whether this has any relation to the fact that Clinton has lost 10 contests in a row to Barack Obama, is unclear. But judging by the crowd, there is cause for concern for Clinton as the city of Hidalgo is just 2 miles from the Mexican border, making this an area with a high Hispanic population, a group that has traditionally been a key base of support for Clinton and a group she will need in order to win the Lone Star State on March 4th.
Clinton delivered a shorter version of her speech with less bite than the one she gave in New York earlier today. She focused on issues important to Hispanics like the economy, immigration and education saying, "I am committed to Hispanic voters."
She drew her usual contrasts between her and Obama, primarily pointing out that her health care plan covers all Americans and claiming that Obama's leaves out millions of Americans. "I don't want to leave anyone out," Clinton told the crowd, which erupted in loud applause.
As Clinton wrapped up her remarks, she gave a final plea to supporters urging them to vote early (Texas has an early voting program) and to talk to their friends and tell them that she is "better prepared to be the president and commander-in-chief."
Clinton thanked the crowd and as she walked of the stage the song "Get On Your Feet" by Gloria Estefan blared over the speakers. But in a crowd where the majority of the people were of Mexican descent, it might have been more appropriate for the campaign to have played a selection from a Mexican-born singer, not the Cuban-born Estefan.
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This was no ordinary speech. I read there was, "a two-dozen-piece mariachi band, Mexican dancers, a cowboy-cowgirl dancing act, a goth rock band, even a guy throwing out T-shirts and shouting "Who''s excited?" This was meant to be a big event and it fizzled.
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Of course Hillary''s plan doesn''t leave anyone out. Her plan forces everyone to buy insurance whether they want to or not.
Obama''s plan makes insurance available at a reasonable cost to those who want it.
What Hillary has not made clear, and probably for a very good reason, is what are the penalties for not buying into her plan. Just what we need, some more coercive federal intervetion into our lives. Obama is just a better choice and most Americans agree.
HILLARY VS. OBAMA LEGISLATIVE
RECORDS:
During Obama''''s first 8 years of elected service Illinois he sponsored over 820 bills - 233 regarding healthcare reform, 125 on poverty and public assistance, 112 crime fighting bills, 97 economic bills, 60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills, 21 ethics reform bills, 15 gun control, 6 veterans affairs and many others. IN ADDITION, DURING HIS FIRST YEAR IN THE U.S. SENATE, HE AUTHORED 152 BILLS AND CO-SPONSORED ANOTHER 427. THESE INCLUDED:
*The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006
*The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act
*The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act
*The 2007 Government Ethics Bill
*The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill
In all, since he entered the US Senate, Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1,096. FOR SOMEONE WHO SUPPOSEDLY "HAS NO RECORD"
HILLARY, WHO HAS SERVED FOR 6 YEARS IN THE U.S. SENATE,CLAIMS TO KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE HAS MANAGED TO AUTHOR AND PASS INTO LAW ONLY 20 PIECES OF LEGISLATION, ONLY FIVE 5 OF WHICH HAVE ANY REAL SUBSTANCE:
1. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
2. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
3. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
4. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
5. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.