Hillary Clinton Visit Converts Some Oregonians

ELECTIONS 

By April Baer

Hillsboro, OR  April 7, 2008 10:05 a.m.

Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns are keenly aware of how few weeks remain before Oregonians start casting ballots--and how many voters may still be undecided. April Baer made a quick swing through the crowd after Clinton finished speaking to see which way voters were leaning.

Hillary Clinton may not have drawn the sheer numbers Barack Obama commanded on his last visit, but she may have won some converts.  Bob Cassidy of Lake Oswego counts himself an Obama supporter, but says Clinton made him take a second look.
 
Cassidy: "I was impressed! I think she's much, much better in person than I've ever seen on TV. I saw Barack when he was here also and I was very impressed then, and I didn't expect that much from Hillary to be honest. She's got the numbers, she's got everything down pat. She's a very viable candidate. I'm more confused than ever, I have to admit."

Like Cassidy, some Oregonians, are taking time to decide, others showed up fully determined. Yolanda Cantu lives in Silverton, and liked the parts of Clinton's speech concerning health care, and ending the war.
Cantu: "Very motivated by it. Lot of good ideas. I'm ready to vote for her. I've always liked Hillary because--she can get the job done.

They came in all variations. Moms with strollers, swanky suit-types, giggly teens, middle aged lesbian couples, and one elderly woman with a crown of snowy hair who was not shy with introductions.

Rozales: "Jackie Rozales, and I love Hillary! I've loved her since I first saw her. I think she's brilliant, I think that she would do a great job, and she's married to Bill and if she's elected, he'd go overseas and heal all the hurt that this president's created. I think it's time."

Talking to the people who attended Clinton's rally on Saturday, you'll notice that like Jackie, Yolanda, and Bob, each had similar issues on the brain. But they came at the issues from very different angles.   Ranjini and Betta Sharma of Portland haven't quite made up their minds yet, but have given full consideration to both Democratic front-runners.

Ranjini Sharma: "We have been leaning toward Hillary in the last few weeks actually, because of her experience."

Betta Sharma: "Many year s back we were republicans. We changed over after we came to Oregon."

April Baer: "What kinds of issues changed your minds?"

Betta Sharma: "Mainly the war, and sense of recklessness with our national finances."

Ranjini Sharma: "For me education is a priority: science, technology, math...a few years back thousands come from other countries. Having changed over and worked here we now were feel our jobs are at risk too!"

Hillary Clinton's campaign opens it's first Oregon office today. Meanwhile, Barack Obama's campaign opened its fifth Oregon headquarters over the weekend.    

Share this article: del.icio.us digg newsvine

© 2008 OPB