“Clinton’s ‘Whistle Stop’ Campaign Visits High Point”

(High Point, North Carolina)

In a scene reminiscent of Harry Truman's "Whistle Stop" tour, Sen. Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop at the historic train station in High Point, North Carolina Monday.

Okay, she arrived by motorcade and not a train, but the scene was a beautiful backdrop. And her speech was interrupted by two trains and two noisy track cleaners, so we had the ambience. She started her speech by talking about prayer and her Methodist faith. The crowd was warm and receptive. Every now and then her voice would lilt into a slight southern accent, something many of the candidates have been guilty of every time they visit the south. It's a little jarring, but the audience doesn't seem to care.



Where the New York Senator really made some points, was on discussing her idea to freeze the federal gas tax this summer. This issue, first proposed by Sen. John McCain, has grown "legs" after seeming like a campaign gimmick. And now that people really like it, the Clinton campaign is seizing upon it. "These high gas prices are causing directly an increase in our food prices," Clinton said."I want the oil companies, out of their excess profits, to pay the gas tax this summer," she added.

She differs from Sen. McCain in this regard. He simply wants the federal gas tax repealed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sen. Obama wants the gas tax left as is, referring to the freeze as a campaign gimmick. "Sen. Obama wants you to pay the gas tax this summer, instead of the oil companies paying it out of their record profits," Clinton said." I'm ready to take on the oil companies. This is part of a larger difference between my opponent and me."

The idea has populist appeal. Voters I spoke with today echoed the concerns. Moneka Smith is the mother of two kids in High Point. She's backing Clinton, especially on the gas tax issue. "I thought it was a great speech," she said, "I just love what she is talking about with the gas prices and the troops coming home. I'm all for that." Some estimates say the average taxpayer might only save $28 per month with the gas tax. Smith says even that small amount is fine with her. "Hopefully it will help a little bit, and will make a difference," she said. It will help her at the grocery store too, she says, "Oh God yes, milk, eggs, even bread's gone up."


The crowd seemed to like the speech and the railroad station backdrop. When two noisy trains barreled through, Senator Clinton was undeterred and even ad-libbed that "high-speed rail" was away to ease our dependence on foreign oil. Some undecided voters left the rally convinced that Clinton was their candidate. Evelyn Hohn of High Point even took home a campaign sign for her front yard. "I think she's wonderful," said Hohn, "I just think she does her own self, nothing put on. I just like her!"

Once the 45 minute rally was over, Clinton sped away in her motorcade, on her way back to Indiana, which also holds a crucial primary tomorrow. Clinton went by plane, not train, because with a campaign this intense, the candidates almost have to be in two states at the same time.

Sen. John McCain and Michelle Obama are also campaigning in Charlotte, North Carolina this afternoon. I will have more on their visits later. I will be live at 7:45 Tuesday morning with Ross McGowan on KTVU's "Mornings on Two." Stay tuned at http://www.markcurtismedia.blogspot.com/.