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Hillary: 'I'm not somebody who is just showing up'
(by Mark J. Bonamo - January 29, 2008)
In an exclusive interview with Hackensack Chronicle after her Jan. 23 campaign rally in North Bergen, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made her case regarding why she should be her party’s nominee in November. With the Feb. 5 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary drawing closer, Clinton focused on her record and her experience as she fights to hold off rival candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
Ashlee Woodruff/Staff Photographer
Mark J. Bonamo: You did very well in the Nevada Democratic primary among Hispanics. Do you anticipate receiving the same level of support from the Latino community in New Jersey?
U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton: I hope to reach every voter in New Jersey. I want to appeal to everyone, no matter what part of the state they are in, or whether they are Latino, African-American, Asian-American or white. Representing New York, I think I understand New Jersey and its problems. I’m going to work hard to get as many votes from as many people as possible.
MJB: Recently, political observers have speculated on a perceived racial split among Democratic voters, with African-Americans strongly supporting your primary rival U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and more Latinos rallying to you. Do you see this split taking place in New Jersey?
HC: No. Voters make up their minds on the basis of all kinds of factors, and that’s what great about our democracy. People can exercise independent judgement. Whoever our nominee is, we are going to have a unified Democratic Party. I’m obviously going to work hard to be that nominee, but I will strongly support any of our Democratic candidates and fight to take back the White House. I hope I’m the nominee because I think that I’m the person who can do the best job leading our country and winning the campaign.
MJB: New Jersey sits in New York’s backyard. Are you counting on close regional ties to give you an edge in the Feb. 5 Democratic primary?
HC: I count on the fact I’ve done a lot of work for New Jersey already over the years. When I was First Lady, I helped to start the state’s children’s health insurance program. Hundreds of thousands of kids in New Jersey have gotten health care because of that. I crossed party lines to make sure that our National Guard and reserve members got access to health care. There are now about 9,000 National Guard and reserve members here in New Jersey who now have health care because of the work I’ve done.
I’ve also done a lot of work with U.S. senators Menendez and Lautenberg, as well as (former U.S. Sen.) Gov. Corzine, and other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to help the area recover from 9/11. I fought hard to get health care for many people who were directly affected by what happened, including not just the first responders, but people from New Jersey who were working in the Twin Towers and who went to work after the attacks. I think that means a lot.
I’m not somebody who is just showing up and saying take me on faith. I’m here to say that I understand the problems of New Jersey because I’ve worked on these problems, and I will continue to be a strong voice for the people of New Jersey.
MJB: On Feb. 5, are you asking New Jersey Democratic primary voters to choose between your experience and Sen. Obama’s charisma?
HC: I don’t think that it’s either or. But I think that I’ve got the experience that we need to make changes that we want in America.
| Comments (1) |
On February 1, 2008 Noel said:
Excellent questions and a unique opportunity for Hackensack Chronicle |
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