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"Let me just describe to you the way our system works," she said in response to a question during a news conference at Pittsburgh International Airport. "Policy is set by the civilian leadership. The president of the United States sets the policy. Our military, and thankfully so, carries out the policy that is set."
She also vowed to fight to seat the Michigan and Florida delegations at the Democratic National Convention and accused Sen. Barack Obama of wanting to disenfranchise voters in the two states.
"He doesn't want the votes to count," Clinton said of her rival for the presidential nomination. "Let's not mince words here."
The Democratic National Committee punished Michigan and Florida for moving up their primaries in violation of party rules.
Clinton spoke to reporters before heading to two Democratic Party dinners. She also attended a private fund-raiser.
At Heinz Field last night, the New York senator got a Steelers jersey - HILLARY 1 on the back - and brandished it as she told Allegheny County Democrats she was the right "quarterback" for the nation.
She blasted Obama for talking tough against special interests despite his having voted for a 2005 energy bill she opposed as too generous with tax breaks for oil companies.
"If you want somebody who is strong enough to take on the special interests and means what I say and can deliver results, I'm your candidate," Clinton said at the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the stadium, where she was endorsed by a Pittsburgh icon, former Mayor Sophie Masloff, 90.
The endorsement was a bit of welcome news for Clinton, as Obama has been winning most of the superdelegates who have announced a preference in recent weeks.
Earlier, Clinton pledged at the Beaver County Democratic Party dinner in Hopewell to "stand strong for you, your families, our country and our future."
The next president "will inherit a world of hurt," she said, citing a war in Iraq to end, high fuel prices to lower, and a government skewed toward special interests.
"I'm not asking you to take a leap of faith - look at my record," Clinton told about 750 attendees. "When the lights are off and the cameras are gone, people have to know you're going to be able to produce results."
Locals said the crowd was the largest at the Fez banquet center since a 1976 testimonial honoring the great University of Pittsburgh running back Tony Dorsett for winning college football's Heisman Trophy.
It was Clinton's second visit in two days to Beaver County, as she sought to buttress her lead in Western Pennsylvania amid a tightening race statewide. Clinton visited a nearby high school Wednesday.
With Masloff's backing, Clinton has the support of 254 superdelegates, to 224 for Obama. Overall, Obama leads in the delegate count, 1,639-1,503, according to the Associated Press. Winning the nomination takes 2,025 delegate votes, a total neither candidate can reach without winning over superdelegates.
at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
Hillary Rodham Clinton plans two campaign stops in Philadelphia today. She is to speak about crime prevention at the West Branch YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St., at 10 a.m.; this event is closed to the public. At 5 p.m., she is to discuss urban policy during an open event at Drexel University, Main Building Atrium, 3141 Chestnut St.
Barack Obama is not scheduled to campaign in Pennsylvania today.
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