As Kennedys Endorse Obama, Clinton Campaigns in Kennedy Country
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. -- On the day Barack Obama recieved Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy's endorsement, Clinton was campaigning in Kennedy's backyard.
"I will bring to the White House my perspective as a daughter, as a wife as a mother, because that's never been in the White House before," Clinton said to the crowd of about 3,000 in a gymnasium at Springfield College.
There was a large group of women supporters, including several waving "Women for Hillary" signs and, not surprisingly, she focused her remarks on women's issues and revived a bit from her stump speech that has been locked away for some time, in particular a line where she talks about what its like to be a working mother and care for a child and a daughter caring for an elderly mother.
"I know what its like to have to be at work and your baby wakes up sick," said Clinton, "I know what it's like when the babysitter calls in sick. I know what its like when the appointment you thought would be done by the time for you to pick up your child after school keeps going and you cant get out of it. I have lived this. And I know how hard American parents are working."
Clinton talked about the need to offer families tax credits for long-term care assistance so families can care for loved ones at home and pointed out that her mother currently lives with her and Bill, and its not easy to care for someone without help.
"Its hard work, it's physically, financially and emotionally very, very hard. It is the most important work any of us do and I'm lucky that my 88 year old mother lives with us and so far she is in good health but I'm just glad that she's under our roof so whatever might happen, we're there for her."
Clinton campaigned with a much lower-profile Massachusetts member of Congress, Rep. Jim McGovern, who is staunchly against the war in Iraq. Clinton said McGovern supports her campaign despite her Iraq vote because he "trusts me to end it the right way."