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ONE Campaign jumps into 2008 politics

MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer
Uune 11, 2007

In front of a crowded, standing room only gymnasium, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., delivered a conversation with the Luther College campus and Decorah community in her drive to become the Democratic Party presidential nominee.

In the midst of a “Four Corners of Iowa” tour in preparation for the upcoming Iowa Caucuses, Clinton spoke to the crowd on the main floor of the Regents Center after arriving from a morning service at First United Methodist Church in Decorah.

Clinton began her speech with an appeal to those who feel “invisible” to their government and a call to come together to strengthen the reputation of America.

“Too many people today feel invisible because of their government,” Clinton said, mentioning students, single mothers and soldiers. “But we can rebuild our country here at home and restore respect around the world.”

Perhaps her most important priority was the establishment of a universal health care system in the United States. Citing the 45 million Americans without health insurance, Clinton called for a system that “focuses on health rather than sickness.” Many people with pre-existing illnesses are not eligible for certain health benefits, which, she said, is a problem.

“We can do better than what we are doing,” she said. “I want to solve this problem once and for all.”

Striking a chord with the Luther community, Clinton focused much of her conversation on education and making college more affordable. The cutting of grants and aid along with the increase in tuition, she said, has made college unaffordable for many.

“What we need to do is change from less of a merit-based system to more of a need-based system,” she said. “We have been leaving out need-based students.”

Clinton also mentioned removing the middle-persons from the process of student loans and having direct, low-interest loans available to students.

“We need to switch to a system without conflicts of interest,” she said.

Speaking on the environment, it was clear that Clinton was hoping to take a more edified, moral stance and control the emissions that may be partially responsible for climate change.

“It’s important that we come to grips with global climate change,” she said. “It is our duty to protect God’s creation.”

In order to curb this global climate change, she said, it is important to do a few things. Her goals include making cleaner energy sources more available to the public as well as funding direct research to find new sources. She also wants to involve the government in improving energy efficiency as well as using revenues from oil companies to finance researching a different direction for energy use.

Clinton concluded her speech with a firm synopsis of the war in Iraq. Wanting to improve the standing of the United States in the eyes of the world, she said it was important to end the war and bring the troops home.

“If [George W. Bush] does not extricate us from the war before he leaves office, then I will,” she said.

The following open floor question-and-answer session allowed audience members to ask Clinton about a variety of issues. Topics included more in-depth information regarding her education and health care plans and the issue of gay rights.

With much of the audience made up of students, it was apparent that political activism is very much alive on campus. Even booths for both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, candidates for Republican presidential nomination, were set up outside the entrance to the Regents Center.

Perhaps the biggest impact of the visit was the sparking of political discussion across campus. “I thought [Clinton] did a good job of showing commitment to alternative energies research,” said Jay Dicke (‘08).

David Osthus (‘08) did not see as strong of a commitment from Clinton on the subject of gay rights.

“She stumbled over the gay rights issue,” said Osthus.

Dicke offered his thoughts on why Clinton did not make a strong case for or against gay marriage.

“I feel like any candidate is going to stumble over the gay rights issue,” said Dicke. “None of them is going to say they’re for gay marriage. It’s just too controversial. There are still too many people in this country that have this huge problem with gay marriage. It’s a death sentence for any candidate — they’ll lose too many of their voters.”

Kadra Abdi (‘08) hoped for more discussion of specific international relations at the event.

“She mentioned something about AIDS — but said nothing of the One Campaign [an international campaign to end extreme poverty and global AIDS],” said Abdi. “I wish she had talked about that more. That’s one issue that Obama has more on her. He would have a better say in our relations with East Africa.”

Students attended the presentation for various reasons from becoming better educated to supporting a possible presidential candidate.

“I came to the speech hoping to get a perspective on important issues,” said Kristin Reitz (‘08). “Whether or not you agree with the speaker it’s important to have an interest in national politics.”

Mark Strohbehn (‘07) attended the speech due to its importance on a national scale.

“I think it’s exciting when any important political figure visits Luther,” he said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to see a leading [presidential] candidate in person.”

Responding to an offer extended by faculty members including Dissertation Fellow and Visiting Instructor in Political Science Pamela Cook to speak to a Women and Politics class, Clinton decided to visit Decorah on her Iowa tour.

“It worked out well because we had a big enough facility to accommodate the speech and she was going to be in the area at the time,” said Cook.

Gaining visibility in the state of Iowa is important for possible presidential nominees as it bodes for the February, 2008 Iowa caucuses, which can be early indicators of who may be named the presidential nominees for respective political parties. By touring the corners of Iowa, Clinton hopes to gain such visibility before the caucuses.

“I thought she was a terrific public speaker,” said Josh Bruflodt (‘08). “I think she did a good job of conveying issues that Luther students could connect with.”

In addition to Decorah, Clinton made stops at Marshalltown, Dubuque, Oelwein, Newton and Des Moines in her tour of Iowa.