Spring Break
OSU embraces Chelsea Clinton
Answering questions on Iraq, economy, health care, Chelsea Clinton supports her mother
Candice Ruud
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
| |
|
Clinton had just come from Eugene, where she had appeared in the same manner at the University of Oregon campus.
The MU Lounge was crowded but, not fully packed, and the audience ranged from curious students to staunch Clinton supporters and interested members of the Corvallis community.
At the entrance to the MU Lounge, the College Democrats set up a table and sold their blue T-shirts which read, "Be a Wise Ass, Vote Democrat."
There was also a table offering a quick and easy way for those who are not yet registered to vote in Oregon's May 20 primary to fill out the appropriate paperwork.
As expected, security was heavily present with Oregon State Police posted around the perimeter of the area.
The crowd began filing in over an hour early in anticipation of Clinton's arrival and the possibility of a packed house. Audience members came for a number of reasons, but generally to give the former president and potential future president's daughter a chance to sway their vote.
The most popular topics that audience members hoped to ask questions about were the economy, international relations - including the war in Iraq - and the environment. These have all been high profile issues throughout the campaign and are deciding factors for many voting Americans.
"I believe in a lot of Hillary's political views, and I want to hear what Chelsea has to say," said Patricia Chavez, a Corvallis community member who said she plans on voting in the primary on May 20, and will likely cast her vote for Hillary.
Chavez expressed an interest in hearing about Hillary's views on welfare, child care and health care - all of which were popular topics during the question and answer session.
Brandon Southward, a freshman in political science, and Barack Obama supporter, confessed that Chelsea's speech on Saturday had a slim chance of changing his mind.
"I want to hear what Chelsea has to say on why I should vote for Hillary," Southward said, echoing many others who came for the same reason.
Melissa Martin, a senior in human development and family sciences, came with her sister Alli Martin, a sophomore in business.
"I'm a die-hard Hillary fan," the older Martin said.
Her sister Alli, however, had not yet made up her mind and came in hopes that Saturday's speech would be a deciding factor for her.
Ron Richardson, a welder for Pacific Northern Industries who usually votes Republican came to see what Chelsea would relay about her mother's views on welfare and what she would do in office to improve the welfare system.
"Today could sway my vote," Richardson said. He added that welfare in this country needs a huge reform, and that in his view, America needs to stop subsidizing illicit people and lifestyles because it makes them lose incentive.
"I'm curious to see if this is going to be an intelligent political conversation, talking about issues and the state of the country rather than just bulls--- like who slept with who 20 years ago," said Andrew Stone, a senior in electrical and computer engineering.
Mackenzie Reynolds, a senior in graphic design, came to hear about the candidate in general.
"I'm waiting until the last possible minute to make up my mind," Reynolds admitted. "It's important to be informed and to do all you can to get to know these candidates," he said.
Reynolds mentioned that his sister went to Stanford during the same time that Chelsea Clinton did, which was during Bill Clinton's time in office.
When Clinton finally arrived, the presentation began with an introduction by College Democrats president Michael Lee, who spoke about Corvallis becoming a political focal point, even if just for a few hours.
The questions that were asked involved health care, what Hillary would do in her first 100 days in office, how she would handle gay marriage/civil unions and what she would do to help preserve the Amazon rainforest.
Her daughter answered all questions dutifully and branched into tangents to cover as much ground on each issue as possible.
Clinton, who sounded rehearsed and very poised, but also relaxed, used humor to liven the event and seemed very at ease and incredibly well-informed about her mother and all of her mother's ambitions for the Oval Office.
With her father's easygoing sense of humor and her mother's serious ambition, she made jokes about the OSU vs. Stanford baseball game which was taking place at the same time.
The crowd was very receptive and seemed to be composed of far more women than men, who nodded, cheered and clapped in approval with each answer to an audience question. As a whole, the crowd seemed pleased with Clinton's answers to their questions.
At the end of the question and answer session Clinton brought up the matter of higher education without any prompt from the audience.
She mentioned that work as a social worker, volunteer fire fighter or other low-paying - but crucial - human interest jobs in our country would be sufficient to pay off student loans under her mother's reign.
She added that many people in this country - including some of her friends - are taking low paying jobs, and not those that are based on their passions or talents out of need to repay student loans.
Clinton also emphasized that her mother plans to change the ever popular FAFSA form by making it into a small check box for potential students instead of having them fill out mountains of forms to apply for financial aid.
At around 5 p.m., after the OSU fight song played loudly over the campus and Clinton wondered aloud to the audience whether or not it was an ice cream truck passing by, she ended the question and answer session and mingled with the audience, shaking hands and posing for pictures.
The College Democrats have reportedly extended invitations to all of the major presidential campaigns to come speak at OSU, but the Clinton campaign has been the first, and only, one to respond.
The Oregon primary is May 20, and Oregon voters must be registered to vote by April 29 in order to participate.
Candice Ruud, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Comments by registered users are approved by default.