Hillary Clinton Rallies Senior Citizens And Union Members For Obama In Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA--At an event billed "Hot Dogs with Hillary," it was inevitable that an animal reference would pop up, after all, this campaign has been hounded by pit bulls and pigs plastered with lip stick.

Hillary Clinton obliged the crowd of 1,000 senior citizens and union members in Pittsburgh on Friday. The group of Hillary fans and Barack Obama backers relished her reference to John McCain as a dog.

Clinton pointed out that McCain had voted with President George W. Bush 90 percent of the time. The country should reject him because, she said, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Clinton was there to urge her Pennsylvania supporters to not only vote for Obama, but also to persuade their family members, friends and neighbors to do it. The event, held in the Westin Convention Center Hotel, was organized by the Alliance for Retired Americans and sponsored by the United Steelworkers, AFSCME and the AFL-CIO.

The audience was primed for Hillary with boxed lunches, including those promised hot dogs, and rousing - and short - speeches by labor and political leaders, including United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard and Hillary's chief Pennsylvania supporter during the primaries, Gov. Ed Rendell.

Dan Onorato, the chief executive of Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located, told the crowd that pundits insulted them by suggesting those who voted for Hillary would cast ballots for McCain. He said he was eager for Nov. 5: "I can't wait to tell the pundits they were wrong. This is not a swing state. This is a blue state!"

Gerard challenged the group to name one thing that McCain has done in his 26 years in the Senate that has helped them or their families. Silence followed for a few seconds, then shouts of, "Nothing!"

"Your silence speaks for itself," Gerard said, then asked, "Why is this election even close?"

AFL-CIO president John Sweeney brought up an issue close to the hearts of many in the crowd: Social Security. He asked them to imagine what would have happened over the past couple of weeks if Social Security had been privatized, as Bush, McCain and Palin wanted, and part of the money invested in the stock market. "They are the only three who still think it is a good idea," he told the group to a chorus of boos.

Clinton told the crowd that as she travels the country stumping for Obama, many people still ask her, "Who are you for?"

That is not the correct question, she said. What people should be asking, she said, is: "Who is for you?"

The person is Barack Obama, she assured them.

She made many of her supporters feel good about backing Obama. Among them were Emma and Bernard McLaughlin of McKeesport. Emma, 75, and Bernard, 80, a steelworker who lost his job when LTV when bankrupt, still think Hillary's the best candidate, but both said they'd be voting for Obama in November. "We're Democrats. We support the ideals," she explained.

But it was too late for Lois Velliky, 83, of Jefferson Hills. She said she'd already written Hillary's name on her absentee ballot.

Comments

[Plank]

Give me hell Hillary ! and please, remind everyone about the prosperty, job creation and low inflation we enjoyed under Bill Clinton.

[HeavyHitter]

Love you, Hillary. Please give me another chance to vote for you in a national election (2016)!

[onenvrnos]

I completely supported Hillary before Obama. I think the Clinton campaign misread the angst of the American people and did not address change appropriately as did Obama. However, I think she is brilliant and took a huge step toward acceptance of women on the world stage. The first one to cut the path always has the hardest task, and I do believe sexist bias was rampant during her campaign--just like I believe racist bias has been rampant during Obama's campaign. As a woman, this felt evident to the core; perhaps, if you were not a woman, the sexist bias was less evident. Either way, I now believe that Obama was and is the best choice because the conditions on all fronts are ripe for a "new" perspective in America. I think Hillary understands this and definitely understands what "country first" truly means. Here's a heartfelt toast to Hillary!

[projectgirl]

Thank you, Hillary. This is great work you are doing.

[wagthedog1001]

Hillary has handled herself with class throughout this campaign.

More than I can say for any Republicans.

[DiBaskin]

I agree. I was very upset with Hillary during the Primaries. I was also disappointed in her for some of her attacks. Actually she did Obama a favor. The attacks McCain are trying to throw at Obama have already been tested by Hillary.
Since the primaries, she has shown herself to be a good sport and I have the highest respect for her. She will always have my support in anything she tries to do.

[ladydriver]

I feel the same. She is one classy lady and a real fighter. Hillary Clinton is everything Sarah Palin wishes she were!

[Pupadup4oBama]

That is what I felt all along.
I didn't like how she handled things and I think she kind of let it get the best of her, but I think towards the end she knew she had to keep up the fight to toughen Obama and vet him.
She did her job and I appreciate her for what she has done since then.
She is 1000x the inspiration that Ms. PlainandSimple could ever hope to be.
She will no doubt have her place in history and this is just the beginning for her.

[cyndeewi]

She is a class act!

[ladydriver]

I got to attend this event, as the driver for a group of USW from Weirton, WV. I've been "adopted" by this group, and they insisted that I come with them (even though it meant waiting for me to go get the bus, which I had to park several blocks away from the Westin). What a gift they gave me!

I had some issues with Senator Clinton during the primaries, but I have to tell you, SHE IS AMAZING! Hearing and seeing her in person was truly a moving experience I will treasure forever. She is 100% in her support for Obama, and he is SO fortunate to have that support. She's been campaigning for him so hard that she'd lost her voice! But, once she got going, the voice did not fail her, as she spoke with power and conviction.

I like Joe Biden, but if Obama doesn't call on her to serve in his administration in some major way, he's not as smart as I think he is.

Senator Clinton surprised us with the news that Obama is coming to Pittsburgh on Monday, October 27th! My "adopted" family from Weirton and I are planning another bus trip!

Thank you, Hillary Clinton! You are a total class act, and you have my absolute respect.

[joeyp404]

If only Hillary were a black man.

[rosal]

If only Mac was for the people instead of billionaires!

[Pupadup4oBama]

Geraldine! Is that you???

[genie555]

I love that woman! I voted for Obama inthe primary, but it was a tough choice. I use her as an example of what a woman can do for my 2 daughters-14 & 12, who are so involved in this election I wish they could vote!

Thank you Hilary!

[cyndeewi]

I would vote for Hillary if Obama was not running.

[ladydriver]

Most definitely!

[Pupadup4oBama]

Absolutely, I would.

[MaryC3]

My opinion of Hillary Clinton goes up and up and up as each day passes. She is a truly class act, with outstanding political and communication skills and true conviction.
Maybe it took the presence of Ms Palin, obviously a capable lady but so very woefully under-prepared for the VP spot, to wake me up and make me really recognize Hillary's talent, experience, and capabilities.
I hope Barack Obama is elected and finds an appropriate position (maybe Health-Care related) for Hillary in his administration.
Kudos to Hillary. Rock On Ms Clinton!
We do so need your voice, brains, and skills in these difficult times.

[Tulka2]

Where do you want to be ambassador, Sen. Clinton? How about Secretary of State? Whatever, my dear. You turn out that Penn. vote and you have my vote in 2016.