“When Hillary Clinton promised to fight her hardest to gain the presidency, she wasn’t kidding. The entire Clinton family descended upon the Akron area this weekend – Bill to Wooster and Lakewood, Chelsea once again to the University of Akron and Hillary to Garfield High School.”
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When Hillary Clinton promised to fight her hardest to gain the presidency, she wasn’t kidding. The entire Clinton family descended upon the Akron area this weekend – Bill to Wooster and Lakewood, Chelsea once again to the University of Akron and Hillary to Garfield High School.

Chelsea, Albright set stage

Chelsea Clinton brought friends with her on her second visit to the UA in two weeks. The guest list, composed of eleven famous women, boasted actress Melanie Griffith, wife of actor Antonio Banderas, and former secretary of state Madeline Albright.

The 800 person rally, comprised mostly of women, opened with a fifth grader reading the powerful speech, Ain’t I a Woman? by Sojourner Truth, a question that continued to surface throughout the rally.

Ain’t she the woman? Rev. Marcia L. Dawson asked. Yes, she is.

Hillary Clinton’s constituents asserted that she was, in fact, the woman. Not only did she come with all the ideas first, said fellow New York congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, But she knows how to put them into action.

All eyes, however, were on Albright as she rose to speak after various speakers, musical acts and slideshows. Through Albright used few words, her extensive diplomatic background allowed her point to easily come across.

The world is a mess. That’s a diplomatic term, she said. This will be the most difficult presidency of any of our lives.

Albright was strong in her support of Clinton. We cannot afford any experiments. We’ve had an experiment for the past eight years, she said. Ohio needs Hillary.

Chelsea Clinton closed the rally, appealing to the hearts of the crowd as she spoke affectionately about her mother.

As a young woman and as a young voter, I passionately believe in my mom, she said.

Hillary Clinton at Garfield

Many of the same faces seen on Saturday appeared in the crowd of more than a thousand people waiting for Hillary Clinton to arrive at Garfield High School on Sunday.

Though the rally was smaller than last Saturday’s Obama rally, the crowd was strong, and it was clear Clinton was appreciated by those in attendance.

Akron Mayor Don Pusquellic, known for his support of Hillary Clinton, introduced her.

Last time, Ohio missed our chance, he said. (But) Clinton is prepared. We need experience.

Pusquellic spoke of his appreciation for Clinton’s fighting spirit.

She knows how to get things done, he said. She would be the best president named Clinton in our history-and that’s a high bar.

Shouts of Hil-La-Ry boomed as Clinton took the stage five minutes earlier than her scheduled appearance. The response was overwhelmingly positive as people waved signs reading Husbands for Hillary, Women for Hillary and Hillary Speaks for Me.

Clinton began her speech with a promise to fight for the people of Akron and America.

I know that we can turn this country around, she said. For every problem, there’s a solution for America. I want you to hold me accountable.

Shouts broke out frequently during her speech, which was heavily catered to the middle class area that surrounded Garfield High School. Speaking passionately about trade policies, job outsourcings and reformation of the energy crisis, Clinton promised to create jobs for people directly in Akron.

She also addressed the qualms expressed by Americans about her mandate for universal health care. Her strong voice became the slightest bit softer as she told a story of a mother and child who died due to the unavailability of free health care.

I will do all I can to make sure that we have affordable health care for every single American, she said. Obama’s plan doesn’t cover everyone. A sick parent doesn’t help a child.

Clinton also covered the subjects of No Child Left Behind, which she referred to as an unfunded mandate. As she moved to higher education, she praised Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s initiative to freeze tuition, and promised to reform the failing student loan industry.

Another subject of interest to poor college students was her plan to reform gas prices and the entire automobile industry as a whole.

I will investigate the industry to see if there is price manipulation going on, she assured the crowd.

Clinton challenged the crowd to consider the election like a job interview process.

I want you to think about Tuesday in a slightly different way, she said. Who would you hire for this job?

If you give me a chance on Tuesday, I will work my heart out for you, she said. I will be there.

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” #1.1361231:3504740028.jpg:20080304_Hillary Clinton_KG.jpg:Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally held in Garfeild High School in Akron on Saturday.:Kim Graham”