Clinton Courts Women, Working-Class Voters in Pa.
In preparation for Tuesday's primary, Hillary Clinton has been aggressively campaigning in Pennsylvania. She has worked to shore up support with women and working-class voters.
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DAVID GREENE: I'm David Greene, traveling in Hillary Clinton. You know that one line Obama uttered about John McCain in Reading? Clinton decided to hammer him for it.
Senator HILLARY CLINTON (Democrat, New York; Democratic Presidential Candidate): Senator Obama said today that John McCain would be better for the country than George Bush.
GREENE: She began to work that crowd.
Sen. CLINTON: Senator McCain thinks it's okay to keep our troops in Iraq for the next 100 years. Is that better than George Bush?
Unidentified Group: No.
Sen. CLINTON: Senator McCain will finish - will continue the failed economic policies of George Bush that have brought us deficits and increasing debt. Is that better than George Bush?
GREENE: Clinton was in Johnstown, a hard scrabble community in western Pennsylvania where she's counting on support. Clinton's also hoping women turn out for her Tuesday, and she has spent time courting them these final days. At one town hall outside Philadelphia, she said her 15-month campaign has meant less time to go to the movies with her husband.
Sen. CLINTON: So, you give up certain things, but it is well worth it. And then, of course, I always like to point out that I think I should get some extra points, you know, because it takes me so much longer to get ready than the men.
(Soundbite of applause)
Sen. CLINTON: Good to see you. Thanks.
Unidentified Man #1: Pleasure to meet you.
Sen. CLINTON: You guys look like you got some sun.
Unidentified Man #1: We were down on the beach. Jersey shore…
(Soundbite of laughter)
GREENE: One stop yesterday was a family restaurant in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Sen. CLINTON: Well, I'm glad to have your support on Tuesday. Great to see you all.
Unidentified Man #1: Good luck.
Unidentified Man #2: Thank you very much.
Sen. CLINTON: Thank you.
Unidentified Man #2: Very nice to meet you.
GREENE: The senator, going table-to-table, met a nurse named Lisa Battersby(ph) who came to get breakfast and was surprised to find Clinton's entourage.
Ms. LISA BATTERSBY (Nurse): I don't know. I got a lecture in the bathroom from some lady that had a big Hillary thing on. So…
GREENE: Lisa said she's been getting tired of politics.
Ms. BATTERSBY: Too much fighting, too much bickering. Like, the bickering is really a turnoff, though I would never go to McCain.
GREENE: So she said she's going to go right after work Tuesday and vote for a Democrat. She's just not sure which one.
Ms. BATTERSBY: I'm working that day. I'm going to walk in there at 7:30 and decide.
GREENE: David Greene, NPR News, Philadelphia.
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