Clinton promises big ‘green economy’ push

Presidential contender backs renewable power and blasts federal laws regulating LNG proposals in Oregon

By Kevin Harden

LocalNewsDaily.com, Apr 5, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

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The Hillsboro crowd was enthusiastic about Clinton’s visit, with hundreds lining up at 8 a.m. when doors were to open for the event. About 45 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. event, the line snaked out the high school’s doors and nearly circled its large parking lot.

Most of the school’s parking lots were full by 8 a.m. Cars lined Northwest Wagon Way in front of the school and some people parked nearly a quarter-mile from the event.

Outside, the people waiting in line were treated to demonstrations by 10 people holding Tibetan flags to protest the recent crackdown on Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. A handful of vendors worked the crowd with Hillary For President buttons they sold for $5 each. One vendor said part of the money from each purchase would go to the Democratic National Party.

Several people waited outside the high school for hours to get a seat. Kayla McGillivary, Liberty junior, got there at 5 a.m. to get a place in line.

“I’m totally going to vote for her because I can vote,” she beamed.

Jordan Corpuz, another Liberty student, camped out overnight in line, arriving at 11 p.m. the night before.

Liza Andrew-Miller, from Southwest Portland, said the tough primary race was good for Democrats and Oregon. She dismissed calls for Clinton to withdraw from the race, something the senator told the audience she would never do.

“I think this is really healthy for the Democratic Party,” Andrew-Miller said. “It’s activating a lot of people.”

Gail Rasmussen, Oregon Education Association vice president and a Democratic superdelegate, said she was torn between Obama and Clinton. She was among a group of about 20 VIPs who met with Clinton for 10 minutes before the speech.

Rasmussen said she had no intention of committing to either candidate until after Oregon’s primary. Her criteria might come down to who can defeat Republican Sen. John McCain in the fall.

“The bottom line is getting a win in November,” Rasmussen said.

Joseph Yeaney of Northeast Portland, a 53-year-old immigrant from Liberia and a state corrections officer, said he stood in line because he supports the Clintons and their years of public service.

“With the Clintons, they have a long history of being around the black people or being in the center of helping the country,” Yeaney said.

No one was turned away from the event, with 3,300 allowed inside the auditorium and another 1,500 people jammed into an adjoining cafeteria where they listened to the speech on speakers.

Josh Kardon, one of the leaders for Clinton’s Oregon campaign, said the Hillsboro high school was chosen because it offered the best venue for the “Solutions for America” rally. Other available sites in Portland would have been too small, Kardon said.

In addition, Hillsboro played well with the campaign’s “new economy” theme, he said. And, winning Democrats’ support in Washington County could be vital to Clinton’s chances to take the nomination, he said.

kevinharden@portlandtribune.com

Reporter Steve Law contributed to this news story.

Sen. Hillary Clinton’s new Oregon campaign headquarters will open at 6 p.m. Monday, April 7, at 32 N.W. Fifth Ave., Portland.

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