MarkCurtisMedia Political Blog: Bill Clinton Goes Full Throttle for Hillary

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Bill Clinton Goes Full Throttle for Hillary

(Wichita Falls, Texas)

It's a balmy, desert like 75 degrees across the plains of northern Texas. The kind of place where you can see in any direction for what seems like eternity. The sun is beginning to set in the west, while skies to the east are cloudy, black and threatening.

The day is ending quietly. The night isn't so certain it wants to go along with that plan. You are always reminded, this is part of "tornado alley."

And in many respects it is a metaphor for the fledgling presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Tonight is either the eve of the rebirth or the beginning of the end.

Few thought we'd be in this state of affairs by now. Hillary Clinton with all the money, name recognition and party organization, was supposed to have claimed the nomination Super Tuesday, February 5. That was almost a month ago and today she bounces off the ropes like Rocky Balboa, after taking one-to-many punches from the Mr. T character in Rocky III.

Say what you want about the Clinton faithful, they are here by the thousands. The line to get in wound all the way around the Ray Clymer Auditorium in Wichita Falls, Texas. These people are not giving up yet.

And say what you want Bill Clinton and his loyalties to his wife. He's been at it all day, all across Texas. Noon in Houston. 2:30 in College Station. 4p.m. in Marshall, 6 o'clock in Wichita Falls, and closing it down tonight at 8:30 in Abilene. His desire to reside once again at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (this time as second fiddle) is no secret.

Today he's back to being the combative Bill Clinton, on the attack against Barack Obama. It is a strategy that arguably backfired against his wife early in the campaign.

Now they have no choice. It's attack, or go home.

Big elderly turnout here. One group that still supports Hillary.

Roberta Price is a senior who drove from 3 counties away, from Saint Joe, Texas. She still supports Sen. Clinton,
"because I think she's the best person for the job. She's the smartest, has the most experience. She'll stick to her guns. I think she's brilliant," Price said.

But the former city employee also wore a button saying Bill Clinton for "First Dude." She hopes he plays an active role in a Hillary Clinton administration.

"Well I heard he might be named Ambassador to the World. I don't think there's a better person for it. We need to get some of the world respect back, that we lost," Price said.

Other seniors in the crowd were clearly irritated, that former President Bill Clinton kept them waiting over two hours. "There's going to be no one left, if he doesn't get here soon," said one. City officials opened the doors to let fresh air in, and they handled out bottled water.

But when he finally arrived, he spoke for 45 minutes and the Clinton backers loved it. Over half the crowd raised its hands when he asked if people knew someone without health insurance. "Look at this!" he said. "We have to cover everyone. It's a big reason to vote for Hillary." The former President says Sen. Barack Obama's health plan will still leave 15 million people uninsured.

The biggest cheer of the night came when Clinton said his wife would work to repeal the controversial "No Child Left Behind" education law.

By 9:05, Bill Clinton was done, and despite worries of severe weather, was flying off to Abilene. His Texas schedule is even more brutal tomorrow, a sign his wife must win this state Tuesday.