Miami Student

Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Front Page

Frances Strickland campaigns for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Laws 215 Monday.

Ohio's first lady and a former ambassador to Portugal visited Monday night to make a last-minute effort to influence voters before Ohio's Tuesday primary.

Frances Strickland and Elizabeth F. Bagley spoke to university administrators in a closed session Monday afternoon and a group of 40 community members and students in Laws Hall later in the night.

The main focus of the visit, which was organized by Students for Hillary Clinton, was to voice support for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in her run for president. Gov. Ted Strickland and his wife have campaigned with Clinton in Ohio after endorsing the New York senator's bid for the Democratic nomination several months ago.

"I know the kinds of experiences she's had and they're invaluable," Strickland said. "It's a time in our country to have the most mature, experienced (candidate)."

Out of the nearly 40 people in attendance, about half were non-students. These Oxford community members asked the first lady and former ambassador numerous questions regarding Clinton's electability, her lost frontrunner status, the displaced members of the working class and Clinton's status as potentially the first woman to be president of the United States.

"I have felt like this race has had very much to do with gender," Strickland said. "There are a lot of women that don't think she should be doing this. There is prejudice from women and not just men."

Both speakers addressed women's issues, viewing them as a strong point for Clinton.

"If women are lifted up, (then) the whole society will be lifted up-that's (Clinton's) message," Bagley said. "She's a fighter for all of us, especially women, children and the working class."

While Strickland said some women might not like the idea of a female president, Bagley sees women as Clinton's foundation.

"Women and children are her core," Bagley said. "And she's expanded that (core) to the whole world."

Bagley also pointed to Clinton's previous record in the Senate as a reason voters should support her.

"I always point back to what she's done versus what Barack (Obama) has done," Bagley said. "She's co-sponsored more legislation than anyone else in the Senate."

Despite Strickland and Bagley's arguments, members of the audience expressed concerns about Clinton's likeability. Strickland refuted these claims, particularly concerns over Clinton's husband.

Continued...

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