The Clintons at the Palestra
On primary eve, it's the Hillary, Bill and Chelsea reunion show.
The Clintons at the Palestra
Larry Eichel reports:
11:14 p.m.
I hope she finishes soon. I'm seated in an overflow press area that has no power. And my battery is running low. It sounds like she's winding up. She asks for the vote. And as ever, she closes by asking her listeners to think of this as a hiring decision "with the longest job interview anyone could imagine." Hugs and kisses, all around. Some "Rocky" music. And good night.
11:08 p.m.
We're onto health care now. A few people are leaving, which actually is not all that unusual in an event like this. A lot of people have been here for nearly three hours. It's hot. The seats are uncomfortable. And they've seen all the celebrities. And it's late.
This is her standard stump speech, which hasn't varied all that much the whole time she's been campaigning in Pennsylvania. Talking about education, about making college affordable, about public safety, about the economy, about the war in Iraq. And she thanks one of the few newspapers in the state to endorse her, the college paper, The Daily Pennsylvanian. And a little slap at Obama: "It's now enough to say. `Yes, we can,' we have to say how we can."
11:00 p.m.
She says if anyone believes that a president doesn't make a difference, the last seven years have proved otherwise. And she does a little pandering to the crowd, referring to the role that needs to be played in the energy-technology revolution by
"great universities like this one."
10:51 p.m.
Actually, Hillary has arrived, A big hug for Bill. And away she goes. She thanks everybody for everything.
"This has been an extraordinary campaign, and it has been for all the right reasons." She says this election has brought out passionate feelings, and that's good. There certainly are passionate feelings in this hall.
10:41 p.m.
He says that he was a little taken aback when he first heard about Chelsea's comment that Hillary would be a better president than he was. But then he thought about it, he said, and decided Chelsea was right. "I agree with my daughter." Tomorrow, he says, the next stage of Hillary's campaign for the presidency can be born, right here in Pennsylvania.
A Clinton law of politics: "If somebody tells you you ought to quit, they're afraid you won't." Another one: "If somebody tells you you can't win, they're afraid that you can."
Still no traveling press corps. Which means no Hillary.
10:33 p.m.
Bill tells us that he saw it all coming. He says he told Hillary over a year ago that the conventional wisdom -- that you can't lose the nomination and can't win the general -- was all wrong. He says he knew all along that getting the nomination would be the tough part and winning the general the easy part. And he still believes that today.
In case you've forgotten, the man is a captivating speaker. As he talks, this loud, raucous crowd is dead quiet, hanging on his every word as leads everyone through a history of just about everything Hillary has done in her life.
10:26 p.m.
Chelsea yields to Bill. I suspect his speech will be a little longer. Not just because he's Bill Clinton. But because Hillary isn't here yet. He praises all of her endorsers, including Nutter and Rendell. He says he has visited 47 Pennsylvania communities on her behalf, and he praises the state. He warns the audience that he is about to "commit candor...My job is to talk until Hillary gets here. But relax, it won't be too long. Her plane has landed."
10:20 p.m.
And now...Chelsea Clinton. She confirms her previous statement that she believes that her mother would be a better president than her father. Why? Because she's "more progressive" and "more prepared." "But I am very proud of my father as well." Glad she clarified that.
10:15 p.m.
Now it's Rendell's turn. He begins by pointing to where he seats for Penn basketball games. It's really hot in here, and Rendell just said that he's ready to raise money to air condition this place. A fine idea.
Ed says everyone has counted out Hillary three times before. And been wrong. And will be wrong again tomorrow. "We all better get used to saying two words," he sayd, "Madame President."
10:10 p.m.
The traveling press isn't here. So that means Hillary isn't either. But Ed Rendell and Michael Nutter are. And Chelsea and Bill. All on stage. Nutter is acting as the emcee, and he is having a wonderful time. Back to his days as Mixmaster Mike, a disco DJ. Says he always wanted to play the Palestra and this is as close as he'll ever get. You'll be shocked to know that Nutter thinks tomorrow is going to be a great day.
10:00 p.m.
So much for the warmup acts. Now, it's the Penn pep band while we wait for the stars to arrive. On the Palestra scoreboards, the words "Hillary for" and "President" are where the names of the teams would be. And the game clock is set at 20:08. Knew you were dying to know.
We're at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania for the big Clinton finale, which is to feature Hillary, Bill and Chelsea. They aren't here yet, but there will be a full house to greet them. For basketball, the Palestra seats about 8,000. A few areas are blocked off, and there are some seats on the floor. So maybe it can hold 6,500 tonight. And it's filled up. And not everybody got in.
Right now, the warmup acts are on. First was Rep. Allyson Schwartz of Montgomery County, who told the crowd that they need to work hard for Hillary because the margin of victory matters. And of course it does. If Clinton just squeaks through in Pennsylvania, her candidacy will be in no better shape than it has been. Which isn't all that good.
Next came Rep. Joe Sestak of Delaware County. And now it's Rep. Stephanie Tubb Jones of Ohio, who's getting people worked up.
Comment removed.
The saddest thing is that it absolutely does not matter whether Clinton, Obama, or McCain wins. They each stand for increased statest government with higher taxes and further intrusion into our private lives. Not a one of them deserve to be President.— Jeff- It was amazing today when all the Hillary supporters were standing on 34th and Walnut and the fraternity brothers in the house on that corner were playing Obama speeches and campaign songs so loud that you couldn't hear the Hillary supporters' chants. It was representative of the state of the primary. Hillary can talk all she wants but she's drowned out by Obama every time. Give in already.— PennAlum07
- Mr. Eichel, your reporting is ridiculous. This is so biased. Compare some of the Hillary blogs to how he reports on Obama, where he is consistently melancholy in town. I hate to complain about this nonsense, but Mr. Eichel has a job to do, so he should do it.— GoHuskies08
Hmmm...I'm sitting here watching Obama's final stop, live from Pittsburgh. No one can get over there for a report?— PA Voter- Give it up, Hillary. It's over. Sen. Obama has trascended the negativity you brought into this campaign. America wants change. You and your Washington cronies cannot be trusted. Pennsylvania...vote Obama and let Hillary go away,— Lagirl
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- There were diverse Obama supporters all around City Hall this evening. And then there was a single minivan full of older white women driving around and around for Hillary. A minivan. I laughed.— Sweatheart
- I am so psyched. http://youtube.com/watch?v=kcdnlNZg2iM— stev
- My above post should say "melancholy in tone." I must be distracted by the biased coverage. This blog does not have report about Obama for the entire day, except some Rocky video. Now we have Mr. Eichel doing oa minute by minute report on HRC's event. Alright, I'm done complaining now.— GoHuskies08
- SWEETHEART, you are very shallow. The minivan is America. OBAMA can't buy my vote...bought yours. Maybe he will do Jay Z for you.— mjn
- I really don't understand why people are even considering Hillary. She is a liar bordering on serious dementia. She and McCain are the exact same. They are so wrapped up in the campaign, they have completely lost themselves and their way. You don't confuse sniper fire. You don't confuse winning with your morals. You can't be against the tax breaks for the rich, and now magically for them. You can't be for NAFTA, now magically against it. You can't say you want to change Washington and have your campaign run by lobbyists and their money. McCain and Clinton are the same. Same loser politicians who have never worked for anything in their lives. Their biggest, hardest decision has never been in Congress. Instead, it is more like what they are having for lunch that day, sprinkle in some rhetoric and get people to vote for you anyway you can, even if you compromise your values and respect. What a joke Americans still are fooled by this after 8 years of the ultimate rhetoric. I am so numb to it, I just laugh every time Clinton or McCain talks. It is cliche after corning cliche. Please I beg of you PA and America, just vote for Obama and change our course. Z Germantown, MD (formerly Philly 26 years)— DrZ88
- Please tell me why a wonderful paper like yours is waiting to talk about Skate's (sp?) support for Hillary (after attacking the Clinton's viciously in the 90's)until after the election. It is not a coincidence that Skate gave a large donation to the Clinton Foundation? Is this the kind of politics that blurs the differences through money contributions? Do we really want to continue to have this dominate the White House? I'm appalled that more has not been said about this! Please cover this before the election tomorrow? I love to read your paper when my cousin sends me articles from King of Prussia!— Serious Discussion
- McCain 2008!— PennAlum07
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Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
