Chelsea Clinton makes Ashland campaign stop

By MIKE JAMES / The Independent

ASHLAND May 13, 2008 06:38 am

— Chelsea Clinton asked supporters to talk to their friends and get out the vote for her mother during a campaign stop in Ashland on Monday morning.
Supporters packed Hillary Clinton’s Boyd County campaign headquarters to greet Chelsea at the start of a day-long campaign swing through Kentucky.
Entering the room shortly before 9 a.m., the former first daughter stayed for more than half an hour after her brief remarks to sign autographs and pose for photos with supporters.
She asked them to stump for Hillary not only for Kentucky’s primary next week but for West Virginia’s contest Tuesday. “Please talk to your friends who may live across the border,” she said. “I hope you’re not too tired to keep talking.”
Kentucky, a state without much of a role in previous primary seasons, has seen visits from all three Clintons this year, with the Democratic presidential nomination still up for grabs.
With Barack Obama leading in the delegate count, supporters believe Kentucky’s results could be significant if Hillary carries large enough majorities. She still dominates among women, older voters and blue-collar white voters.
“Kentucky can put her over the top,” said state campaign chairman Jerry Lundergan. “We have to deliver the largest majority of votes in any state.”
The Bill Clinton administration was one of economic expansion and good jobs, said state Rep. Rocky Adkins. “You all remember the ’90s,” Adkins said. “Hillary Clinton had a lot to do with that ... I’m ready for those good times again.”
The campaign headquarters was a sea of waving Hillary signs as still-enthusiastic supporters rolled in to the hastily scheduled stop. Obama’s widening lead hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm.
“I think there’s still hope. Not everyone has spoken yet,” said Chad Hall of Grayson. Hall said he heard about the appearance around 6 a.m. Monday and rushed to Ashland to see Chelsea.
“I really believe Hillary Clinton will be a successful president for the U.S.A. because she’ll have the best backer in the whole world, former President Bill Clinton,” said Nancy Stewart of Russell.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

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