A grey-haired man standing on the floor of the Portland Expo waved a large yellow sign that read ‘MEN FOR HILLARY.’ A little girl in the bleachers held up one that read ‘Pave the Way, Hillary!’
Behind former President Bill Clinton, Hillary’s own motto hung: ‘Solutions for America.’
Thursday night at the Portland Expo, Clinton spoke for about an hour, endorsing his wife as the strongest presidential candidate.
Governor John Baldacci and Libby Mitchell, majority leader in the Maine Senate, introduced Bill Clinton at the event.
They joked about their jaunt to L.L. Bean to gear the former president for Maine’s winter weather. Clinton made it to the podium and joked himself, “well, it looks like it’s time for another Clinton to clean up after another Bush.”
He made it known that if he had never met Hillary in law school or married her, he would still be endorsing her as the candidate.
“Based on what I know about the presidency, and based on her history of hard work for causes she is extremely passionate about, and her record, I would come here and support her.”
Clinton also noted that he respected McCain and Obama greatly. He went on to describe in detail Hillary’s unique plans for health care, caring for veterans, making college accessible to all, restoring a surplus, and using diplomacy.
There was one tense interaction between Clinton and a heckler, but the talk went smoothly after the man was escorted out by event staff, yelling the whole way.
Clinton ended in talking about Hillary’s deep caring for people. “America’s voters are voting at historic numbers. Hillary is someone who will not forget your face. In good times and bad, she will not forget you. She has the best plans, is the best change-maker – and she’ll never forget you. You’ll be proud to be an American.”