Published: May 08, 2008 11:25 pm      

Confidence remains in Hillary’s campaign

ATHENS — Rejecting calls for his wife to bow out, President Bill Clinton told a crowd of hundreds assembled at Concord University Thursday night that Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign continues.

“Don't you believe all of those commentators who are telling you this race is over,” Clinton said. “If somebody tells you you can't win, it's because they know you can win and are afraid you will win.”

Clinton, the first former president to visit Mercer County in more than eight years, concluded a five-city West Virginia blitz Thursday with a “Solutions for America” event at the Carter Center Gym at Concord University. Although the former president was about 90 minutes late arriving in Mercer County, the delay didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd.

“I was driving through the West Virginia mountains in a very hard rain,” Clinton said. “I'm sorry I'm a little late, but the roads didn't allow for political speeding.”

Clinton, who was introduced by Bob Holroyd, began his speech by complimenting Concord University. He also thanked President Dr. Jerry Beasley for allowing him to speak at the university.

“Hello Concord!” Clinton said as he arrived on stage. “I read in the Wall Street Journal that this is a pretty fine school.”

Clinton said his wife needs a strong showing of support Tuesday by West Virginia voters.

“I feel very strongly that Hillary should be the next president,” he said. “The polls show we are way ahead, but we want a big vote.”

Clinton said the former first lady is the best candidate to turn the country around, and reclaim a brighter future for the nation's youth. He said many believe the nation is already in a recession. Clinton said student loan debt is up more than 50 percent. Clinton said energy costs in America were up more than $2,000 last year, which doesn't include the current energy crisis. He said the average family is now paying $250 more for food.

“In this decade, five million have fallen from the middle class back into poverty,” Clinton said. “That is the American nightmare.”

Clinton said the economy must produce more jobs, and West Virginia can play a major role. In addition to coal, Clinton said the Mountain State can also generate more energy in terms of electricity from the sun and the wind.

Clinton said his wife wants to create eight million new jobs that can't be outsourced. The former president said Hillary Clinton also wants to create an additional five million new jobs through a strategic fund that oil companies will pay into.

Clinton said his wife also wants to make a commitment to fight global warming, which he said could create “.. lots, and lots of jobs for West Virginia.”

If elected, Clinton said his wife will also stop putting oil into the nation's strategic oil supply until the current gasoline crisis is resolved.