The Anchor

Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Barry Nickerson Hillary Clinton addressing the crowd at the Recreation Center

On Sunday, the Rec. Center on East Campus was filled with thousands of voters who came to watch Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) as she visited Rhode Island College to speak about her campaign.

Clinton, who was First Lady from 1993-2001, visited RI nine days before the March 4 primary, in which RI voters will decide which candidates their state will support in the presidential nomination process.

In the caucus, citizens nominate the candidate they support based on their declared political party. As such, a state cannot nominate more than one candidate.

"This little state has a big voice on March the fourth in helping choose the next president," said Clinton.

The event began with the "Star-Spangled Banner", sung by RIC alumna Michelle Passarelli, '92, at 1:30 p.m. She was met with rowdy applause as the crowd waved signs in support of Clinton, chanting "Yes she can!"

Several of Clinton's local supporters then delivered brief speeches in her favor. State Representative Grace Diaz (D-Providence) said that even though RI is the smallest state, we will show the entire country that we can make history.

"We need to have a strong democratic party," said Diaz. She characterized Clinton as a woman with a straight head who cares about the public.

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis said that the Clintons have been friends of RI for many years. "Are you ready to be there for Hillary Clinton as she will be there for us for the next four years?" he asked the audience. "Let's deliver RI for Hillary Clinton in a way she can never imagine."

RI's General Treasurer Frank Caprio began his introduction by saying, "Hillary Clinton knows…She doesn't pull that ladder up when she is done. She leaves that ladder down for all of us to climb up."

Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts said that Clinton "will get our country moving."

At 1:48 p.m, it was announced that over 5,000 people were in attendance. The crowd erupted with chants of "Hillary" and "Yes she can" as "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" by The Police played over the intercom. At 2:15 pm, campaign co-chairs Congressman Jim Langevin and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse introduced Clinton.

Continued...

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