Published: May 19, 2008 11:58 pm            

Former president stumps in Carter

Bill Clinton touches on key issues of education, health care, economy

GRAYSON — Students in the Carter County School District took part Monday in what is sure to be a memorable civic lesson — a visit from President Bill Clinton.

The students attended a campaign rally at East Carter High School featuring the former president, who has been making numerous appearances in eastern Kentucky in recent weeks campaigning for his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

President Clinton urged Kentuckians to cast ballots for Hillary today — to send a message that the state does count.

Kentucky, along with Oregon, which also has its primary today, are two of the remaining states whose voters have yet to weigh in on the historic race between Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

Stumping for his wife, President Clinton touched on many of the key issues in Kentuckian’s minds in his attempt to send a message that residents of the commonwealth have a lot to gain from another Clinton presidency. He touted the possibilities of clean coal technology, saying “There is an unlimited number of jobs freeing ourselves from the shackles of energy dependence.”

The statement was a reinforcement of what local politicians have been saying for months. Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, who sponsored both of Kentucky’s recent energy bills promoting clean coal technology and energy efficiency, said he thinks Kentucky will be in a position to be a national leader in the technology. “This legislation will coincide with Hillary Clinton’s plan to bring energy independence to this country,” he said Monday.

“Kentucky is well suited to take advantage of that opportunity. I think that Kentucky has a comprehensive and balanced energy policy that stands to take advantage of a federal policy that would follow in that line,” he said.

Linking energy and the economy to another prominent issue, health care, Clinton said, “We simply can’t bring the American economy back if we keep doubling health care costs every seven years.” He also spoke about health care and Hillary’s plan to insure every American after almost every attendee in the audience raised their hand when he asked who in the room knew someone without health insurance.

“Every other country we’re competing against has found a way to provide health care to its people,” he said.

Clinton also spoke about education, federal trade laws and balancing the federal budget, each time his remarks being met with thunderous applause.

“He touched on a lot of issues people here in eastern Kentucky care about: the economy, health care and education,” said Carter County Judge-Executive Charles Wallace.

Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, who introduced the president, said the Clintons have a long history of supporting the types of issues that matter to Appalachian voters.

“Working families have always been a priority with the Clintons,” she said. “This is something (Hillary) has been committed about all her working life. This isn’t just some show or staging,” Webb said. “Her commitment to working families is something that is very real and important to her.”

That commitment may explain the fierce loyalty that so many present and in the region say they feel toward the Clintons.

“Everyone I know is going to vote for Hillary. I only know one Obama supporter,” said East Carter sophomore Tim Mosley. At 16, he is too young to vote but, if he could, Mosley said he’d cast his for Clinton.

So would 17-year-old Derek James, a junior at West Carter High School, who says he plans to register as an Independent despite his support for the Democratic Party. Clinton is his candidate over Obama, he said, for one simple reason. “She has visited. He hasn’t. It seems like they don’t care,” he said of the Obama campaign.

The absence of Obama in eastern Kentucky the last few weeks leading up to today’s primary has sent a clear message to voters, said Grayson resident Yvette Pennington. “It shows he only cares about specific parts of the country,” she said. “He’s snubbing Kentucky in a way.”

Her husband, Melvin Pennington, agreed. “I just feel like he feels like he doesn’t need this state. If it was all tied up he’d be here,” he said.

Both plan to cast ballots for Clinton today.

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.

        

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