Clinton Thrills Beaufort Audience
Photos by Peg Schlichtemeier
"Dems showing signs of surge in Lowcountry"
Jeremy Hsieh, Beaufort Gazette
The Democratic Party is showing renewed strength in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The visit to Beaufort from Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Saturday, July 28th, was a standing room only event at the Performing Arts Center auditorium. If you were there, you know the feeling of excitement surrounding this event. Senator Hillary Clinton was extremely impressive with an effective, interesting and exciting discussion of critical issues facing our nation.
Some people showed up five hours early for a seat in the 500 person auditorium. An estimated 800 to 1,000 people turned out to hear Senator Clinton speak at the Performing Arts Center of the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The auditorium was filled to capacity when Senator Clinton arrived and was widely covered by all the local press, radio and television media.
Hillary Clinton began with her personal history about family vacations 25 years ago on Hilton Head Island, when they spent time shrimping and fishing. Some may remember the Clintons visiting Hilton Head each summer for the Renaissance, when Hillary Clinton was “First Lady”.
Senator Clinton said it's time to reform U.S. government, education and healthcare - it’s time to dream again. Hillary Clinton's dreams include: repairing foreign policy, energy independence and security, raising the income of middle-class families, affordable healthcare for every American, more affordable colleges, working to enroll all children in pre-kindergarten programs, fighting global warming and restoring transparency in government.
Clinton’s crowd outstripped the attendance of county campaign stops this year by two Republican presidential candidates, John McCain, and former mayor Rudy Giuliani. Several of Clinton's supporters held up red placards that read "Women for Hillary". However, Clinton emphasized that being a woman is not what qualifies her to be president. As the first woman to run for president, Senator Clinton, said "I am not running because I am a woman; I am running because I think I am the best qualified and most experienced."
According to the The Beaufort Gazette, Party Chairwoman Beverly Dore said the party is growing. Beverly hopes to keep the momentum going with a possible September visit by Clinton's primary Democratic rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. "We really do see this as an ideal opportunity to energize the party, to forge new relationships with other people who may not be committed to the party, you know, independents -- other people in the community who aren't so actively involved in politics," Dore said.
Saturday's event was open to the public with free admission, though some 300 people reserved seats with sponsorships that started at $50, accumulating several thousand dollars for the party. Before Clinton arrived Saturday, local party officials discussed critical local and national issues, with a series of speakers and a common theme: “Republicans, don't take South Carolina for granted.” House Minority Leader Harry Ott Jr. quipped, "I'm here for a selfish reason: I am tired of being minority leader." Rep. Kenneth Hodges, D-Green Pond, told the crowd that "Democrats are here, we're proud, and we're thriving." Both speakers were met with roaring applause.
By Ron Baker
Public Relations/Marketing Division
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