|
|
|
|
|
Sue Shaffer is a member of the Oregon steering committee for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
President Bill Clinton officially thanked Sue Shaffer and the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua tribe of Indians at a campaign speech for his wife, Hilary Rodham Clinton at the Roseburg high school.
President Clinton's visit to Roseburg is a historic occasion and is a wonderful opportunity for people who have never met a president before.By Teresa Williams
Bill Clinton's stop in Roseburg today was one of 20 visits the former president has made to Oregon communities in recent weeks.
A crowd filled the floor and the lower set of bleachers in the left side of the Roseburg High School gym this morning, preparing for a visit from a former president.
When the high school band finished playing Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," the crowd began shouting, "Clinton, Clinton."
Then the band started up again. It was 9:30 a.m., a half hour after former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to appear.
Roseburg High School students and staff began filing in, filling the last few rows of the gym floor and the upper section of the bleachers.
Finally, the moment arrived.
"Ladies and gentleman, please welcome President Bill Clinton," a voice called out, to yells and applause.
Clinton walked through a blue curtain that was draped with an American flag and stood silent, waiting for the applause to die down.
"Thank you," Clinton said. "Hello, Roseburg."
He went through a list of thank-yous, and even pronounced Roseburg High Principal Karen Goirigolzarri's name correctly.
He also included Sue Shaffer and the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians in his list of thank-yous.
Clinton said when he is finished touring Oregon, he will have visited 20 Oregon communities.
He came to tell the crowd that his wife, Hillary Clinton, can win the Democratic presidential nomination.
"The truth is Hillary can still win the popular vote," he said, adding that Hillary Clinton consistently polls well against Republican Sen. John McCain.
He emphasized that Oregon has a say in the election, which brought a strong reaction from the crowd.
Before Clinton's arrival, attendees young and old waited eagerly to welcome the 42nd president of the United States.
Laurie Carpenter, a senior at South Umpqua High School, was wearing a yellow T-shirt that said "I Love Bill Clinton," with a heart for the word "love" written in marker on the front, and "Hillary Rocks" on the back.
Carpenter had permission to miss school. She was attending with counselor Michelle McDaniel, who she lives with, and Vice Principal Rhonda Zosel.
She held McDaniel's daughter, Canyonville Elementary kindergartner Katie, on her shoulders.
"The reason it's so exciting is Oregon matters," McDaniel said.
Carpenter said she would love to see Hillary win the presidency because she is a woman and has great views.
"I'd love to see Obama and Hillary together," Zosel said.
"My government teacher will be real proud of me," Carpenter said.
At 7 a.m., Ashley Beebout and Nikki Blossom waited across the street at the Holiday Inn, ready to volunteer for Clinton's visit.
Blossom, 22, was wearing a Hillary Clinton T-shirt.
"I think she's the best candidate to stand up against McCain," she said.
"She's been there," Beebout said. "She's got plans."
At the head of the line at the high school, Barack Obama supporter Deon Husak was surrounded by Hillary Clinton's fans.
The discussion was congenial. Husak, 54, isn't "anti-Hillary," she said. Everyone at the front of the line agreed they would vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination.
"What opportunity have we had in Roseburg to see a former president of the United States?" Husak said. "How cool is that?"
Gale and Barbara Robinson want to see Hillary Clinton win. They were also looking forward to seeing her husband in person.
Gale, 62, said he'd never seen a president before.
Susan Sarti, 55, wore a reader-board-type pin that scrolled, "Hillary for president" in red letters, followed by a series of exclamation points.
"I want to see a woman president," she said. "And I think she's more qualified than Obama."
Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich is also vice principal of the high school. The morning proved busy, turning students away from the gym where they normally have class and organizing the crowd.
"It's exciting and it's fun," Rich said. "And it's history for Roseburg."
Most Roseburg High School students didn't get the chance to see the former president.
Sean Shoemaker, a sophomore, was sitting in the courtyard as organizers hung signs on the gym.
"I think it's pretty cool," he said. "Hopefully we get to see him."
Like many Roseburg High students, Shoemaker doesn't remember much about Bill Clinton's presidency.
"It's too bad Hillary wasn't here," he said. "That'd be cooler."
Freshman Cheyanne Heatley had a letter for Bill Clinton, but she had no way to get it to him. She said he is one of the people she respects the most, and he seems like a nice person. She has little recollection of his terms in office.
"I remember that things were better," she said.
A group of seventh-grade girls from Joseph Lane Middle School were inspired that a woman was running for president.
"We think that we need a change," said Sarah Clifton.
"I think she's a really good, positive influence on women," Mikayla Thacker added.
Sarah's father, 48-year-old Mike Clifton, is supporting Hillary Clinton because of her experience.
"We just hope that Hillary can get elected," he said. "… Hillary's just more experienced. She's going to be ready to act."
Like many in the crowd, he was glad Oregon would matter in the election.
"It's a really great opportunity. It's unique that Oregon is in the position it is."
Clifton said he doesn't dislike Obama, but he thinks Obama should pay his dues first.