Clinton Campaign Talks Economy To Sway Young Vote At USF
By Thomas Fernandez and Allison Leslie
While it may have not been a flashy rally compared that of Republican nominee Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton’s small rally at the USF Recreational facility, Trump held his at the USF Sun Dome months ago, wasn’t lacking any fireworks.
As supporters packed into the cozy, if not uncomfortable intramural room, the groundwork for a concentrated message had already been laid. That message? Donald Trump can’t be the next president of the United States. Each speaker, including Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn, who came before Clinton didn’t have a lot of nice things to say regarding Trump.
Buckhorn played onto the fact that Tampa is a military city and noted some of the questionable things Trump has said regarding the military—including disparaging a Gold Star family.
“When I think about Donald Trump disparaging a Gold Star family, it makes me sick, Buckhorn said to a crowd who began to boo. “Those are our neighbors, some of whom have paid the ultimate price for us. We are a military town and when Donald Trump says ‘I know more than the generals’ really? Shame on you, Donald Trump.”
That got the response Buckhorn was looking for as the crowd began to start chants of “shame on you” for a few minutes. Buckhorn then spoke directly to Trump by saying “you are not fit to lead, and will not ever be the Commander-in-Chief.”
Buckhorn was just one of many who got up to speak about how ill-qualified Trump is to run the country’s military operations. There were others who also called out Trump for his thoughts on the military included several former service women. But Buckhorn didn’t hold back on the punches.
“I know some of those generals, and I’m paraphrasing,” he said. “Some of those generals are friends of mine and you Donald Trump are not one of those generals.”
After patiently waiting in a now packed enclosure, the fans finally got to meet Clinton, who was 30 minute late. Clinton took the baton almost seamlessly from those who spoke before her. She also included a little bit more than just the typical Trump bashing by calling out the Republican Party as well.
“I call on all Republicans to put people before politics and finally vote on a clean funding bill to fight Zika right here in Florida,” Clinton said.
As of now a bill in Congress has stalled due to political maneuvering. The bill had provisions in it which upset Senate Democrats who blocked the bill. The provisions would have cut programs such as Planned Parenthood as well as the Affordable Health Care Act. Some of the other programs include the Democrats’ funding for fighting Ebola as well.
Clinton also spoke at great length regarding high education and bringing back vocational schools. Part of her plan includes a tax cut for companies that hire students as they try and get experience on the job. Those in the recreational building at USF ate it up and started cheering when she gave her outline.
“Maybe they’ve been told that the only way to have a future is to go to a great school like USF, but it’s not true for everybody,” Clinton said regarding higher education helping people get careers. “We need to make the hard work that builds America with respect.”
The 1600 people also heard about her plans for the economy and more importantly how “important this election is going to be.”
Clinton ended her speech by imploring everyone to go out and vote.
“Vote this year like your future depends on it, because it does,” she said to the crowd.
additional reporting by Allison Leslie