Bill Clinton campaigns for wife at UTPA rally

EDINBURG - About 700 people gathered this morning at the University of Texas-Pan American campus in Edinburg to see former President Bill Clinton's rally for his wife's presidential campaign.

"The whole question of the Democractic nomination has come down to Texas and Ohio," Clinton said.

Clinton took the stage at the Field House on the east side of the campus with Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes and State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-Edinburg.

Clinton talked about how his wife would fix the economy and improve health care if she's elected president. He also said his wife's political involvement began decades ago, when she registered area residents to vote.

"It all started here for her in this part of Texas," Clinton said. "I think you should vote for her not for what she did then but what she will do for tomorrow."

Clinton said he and Hillary met with doctors in McAllen last week who said they support her universal health care plan.

"(Doctors are) going to be spending more and more time with paper and less time with nurses," he said, should health care reform not take place. "She's the only person left running for president in either party that will cover everybody."

Clinton also mentioned his wife's recent endorsement by dozens of generals and admirals.

"She's by far the best to be the commander in chief of the armed forces," he said.

Clinton emphasized that his wife would listen to the people as president.

"All you are as president is the most fortunate hired hand on the face of this Earth," he said, "And she knows that."

At the close of his speech, Clinton told the crowd to vote on Tuesday and caucus in the evening.

"She will be nominated and she will be elected. It's all in your hands," he said.

Hidalgo County Clerk Arturo Guajardo addressed the crowd and talked about the record-breaking early voter turnout here.

"She understands our needs, she understands our issues," he said. "We need to focus and get everybody out to vote tomorrow."

"We need to elect Hillary Clinton as our next president."

Hidalgo County Pct. 1 Commissioner Sylvia Handy rallied the crowd before the rally.

"We need you out there tomorrow to take people that have not voted," she said.

State Rep. Veronica Gonzales, D-McAllen, urged people to vote in tomorrow's primary and to caucus tomorrow night.

"You need to go back to your polls," she said. "You are going to have an opportunity to elect delegates."

"Hillary's place is in the White House ... we need to go out tomorrow and vote."

Clinton is on his way here from an earlier stop today in Corpus Christi, and is set to move on to Brownsville and four other cities later today. His marathon tour of the Rio Grande is part of a last-minute effort to rally support for the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

A significantly smaller crowd has gathered here today compared to other rallies for Sen. Clinton and presidential campaign rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Hundreds of seats remain vacant and plenty of space on the floor remains.

But still, chants of "Hill-a-ry! Hill-a-ry!" could be heard as people stood in line under the sun here on campus.

Lupita Garza of Edinburg was at the front of the line Wednesday. She said she has gotten Hillary's autograph since she came to South Texas in recent weeks, and wants to get same with the former president, as well.

"Even if I have to go to Brownsville," she said.

Rosie Garza of Edinburg helped lead the cheers among those lined up. She said who she supports was obvious.

"I think it's obvious I support Hillary," Garza said as she went into another chant that fired up the crowd.

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