Clinton Vows To Fight For U.S.

This story was written by Stefanie Klits, Montana Kaimin

"We have problems but also opportunities," Clinton said.

After arriving about 40 minutes late to the hangar from a fundraiser earlier at The Hilton Garden Inn, Clinton immediately launched into an hour-long speech on the changes America needs.

"I'm offering myself as a fighter for America because I think America is worth fighting for," Clinton said to the shouts of a crowd waving blue campaign posters.

Changes include making tax cuts for the middle class and cutting tax breaks for the wealthy, forming a universal health care system, stabilizing the housing market, ending the war in Iraq, creating new jobs and making a "strategic energy fund" for energy independence, she said.

Clinton also spoke to the college audience, asking students what kind of interest they were paying on their college loans. Several students raised their hands when she inquired about loans charging more than 20 percent.

"There's no way to justify that level of interest," Clinton said.

She proposed making more direct aid available such as Pell grants and offering money for college-related costs, up to $10,000, for students that conduct National Service for two years. For students already in debt, Clinton suggested starting a loan forgiveness program for those who work in public service.

The loudest cheers went for Clinton's plan to end the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that college students struggle with every year to qualify for federal aid.

She said she had her staff try to calculate the millions of hours parents and students spend filling out the form. When in the end, she said, the government may just say, "Just kidding, we have no money for you."

Instead, Clinton said a box could be made on tax forms that would allow students to check off to apply for federal aid.

On another familiar note, she said there is no more important issue than energy. Clinton's goal for America is to be 25 percent more energy efficient by 2020. She proposes a "strategic energy fund" that would allow for investing in technology to create more fuel-efficient cars. Americans also need to be more energy efficient, Clinton said, by doing things like turning off lights and buying cars that get more miles per gallon.

The rally was the last of a whirlwind of political events in Montana for Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. The busy schedule was evident when Clinton first stepped onto the stage and was clearly hoarse. Nonetheless, she still managed to rile the crowd and bring supporters to their feet.

"It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush. It's going to take a Clinton to clean up after the second Bush," she said to loud cheers.

Bringing the theme closer to home, Clinton said Montana has "so many incredible opportunities for women" after introductions by state Sen. Carol Williams of Missoula and Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtiss. She reminded the crowd that Montana had elected the nation's first female state House majority leader and that Missoula County had the first all-female county commission. And most significantly, at a time when women weren't allowed to vote, Clinton said, Jeannette Rankin of Missoula was elected the nation's first female member of Congress.

Rebecca Powers, a University of Montana student studying social work and Native American studies, made it back to Missoula from the Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner Saturday night in Butte - where both Obama and Clinton gave speeches - to hear Clinton speak Sunday.

Powers said she was impressed with Clinton's ideas for college education.

&quotIf we don't build up education, our economy suffers," she said. "Hillary is about change. That's what I like about her."

But campaign posters made it known that a variety of groups in Montana support Clinton. "Men for Hillary," "Montana Kids for Hillary" and "Nurses for Hillary" were just a few of the signs waved by members of the crowd.

One sign behind Clinton read, "Give em' Hill."

"I'm pretty pleased that Montana will have the last say for the president," Clinton said.
© 2008 Montana Kaimin via U-WIRE