(Rapid City, South Dakota)
Hillary Clinton will cross the finish line tomorrow. She may not win, but she ran the gauntlet, and never faltered. Hundreds of supporters lined up inside and outside Tally's Restaurant in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, this morning, to see the "former First Lady-turned-Senator-turned presidential-hopeful." 
Clinton flew all night from Puerto Rico, where she won that primary in a landslide Sunday. She arrived in Rapid City at 3 a.m. and was an hour late for this morning's rally. She was late, but did not disappoint.
Clinton flew all night from Puerto Rico, where she won that primary in a landslide Sunday. She arrived in Rapid City at 3 a.m. and was an hour late for this morning's rally. She was late, but did not disappoint.
Lillian Letner and her adorable four-year old daughter Lauren waited patiently outside. Mrs. Letner is supporting Clinton based on her stances on fiscal policy, health care reform and the environment. Despite Clinton's being down in the polls, Letner is fully behind her. "Actually, I am surprised it is such a close contest," said Letner. "She has the experience and qualifications. To me you go with the proven 'horse.' I think you go with those most qualified to do so." Letner worked in a hospital for ten years as a health care director. "From an insider's perspective, it's definitely a broken system," she says. "It needs more than just a little tweaking."
Inside, the restaurant is buzzing. All the tables and counters are packed with breakfast diners. One whiff, and you can tell the food is really good here. (I promise to write another one of my famed-restaurant reviews later in the week!). I am pinned in a corner with other press photographers, wedged next to the last booth, where four people are sitting. Harold Hansen of Rapid City is a Vietnam Veteran supporting Clinton. "I supported her husband. We need total change," Hansen says. "A lot of men have trouble with a strong woman, but that's what this country needs."
Hansen's wife is at a booth across the room. One of the people sitting with him is Nancy Sutterer, up until now a total stranger. But when the Secret Service tells you to sit down and to stay where you are, you tend to obey. Anyway, new friends are being made all around the room, and Rapid City is one of the friendliest places I have ever been. Sutterer has been unemployed for the past ten months. "We need massive economic changes in the country," she says. "I've had to move in with my mom, the economy is so bad."
She wants Hillary Clinton to be President, but I ask her if she'd be okay with Hillary as Vice-President. "I think it would be better for her to be on the bottom of the ticket, than not at all," Sutterer says. "We need a woman's perspective in there."
Both Hanson and Sutterer get to meet Mrs. Clinton when she finally arrives. 
"Thank you for your service!" Clinton says to Harold Hansen, who wears his Vietnam Veteran hat. He tells me later that when he came home from the war, he was told not to wear his uniform, or people might spit on him. Today he wears the Vietnam hat proudly, and is thrilled when Senator Clinton thanks him. "It feels good. It really feels good," Hansen says. "It makes me feel like what I've done was important."
"Thank you for your service!" Clinton says to Harold Hansen, who wears his Vietnam Veteran hat. He tells me later that when he came home from the war, he was told not to wear his uniform, or people might spit on him. Today he wears the Vietnam hat proudly, and is thrilled when Senator Clinton thanks him. "It feels good. It really feels good," Hansen says. "It makes me feel like what I've done was important."
Clinton shakes hundreds of hands and signs autographs. In a brief appeal to those in the crowd who might still be undecided she says, "Look at the record of what I've achieved over a lifetime." 
She talks about being ready to be President from "day one" and urges voters to reflect on that when they go into the voting booths Tuesday. "Who would you hire to do the job?" she asks. Then it's off to her final campaign stop in Sioux Falls to campaign with Bill and Chelsea, before heading home to New York.
She talks about being ready to be President from "day one" and urges voters to reflect on that when they go into the voting booths Tuesday. "Who would you hire to do the job?" she asks. Then it's off to her final campaign stop in Sioux Falls to campaign with Bill and Chelsea, before heading home to New York. She ran one hell of a race! She never quit! She may not be the nominee, but she is the first serious female presidential candidate from any party to cross the finish line. That, in and of itself, is remarkable. I have a feeling we've not seen the last of Hillary Clinton.
Tomorrow I will be "live" at Mount Rushmore at 7:45 with Ross McGowan on KTVU's "Mornings on Two!"
Check in for updates at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
No comments:
Post a Comment