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Bergen Democrats offer support to Clinton
(by K. Darius Amos - January 29, 2008)
Hillary Clinton speaks to her audience at Bergen Academies.
“I was told if you say thanks to Joe in New Jersey, a lot of people will be thanked,” Clinton quipped as she took center stage at the Bergen Academies gymnasium last Wednesday. In front of many Joes and Janes, as well as more than 500 senior citizens, students and supporters, the presidential candidate accepted the endorsement of the county’s top Democratic leaders.
One Joe she specifically thanked was Joseph Ferriero, the chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Party. Ferriero welcomed Clinton to the county capital and gave her the tour of Hackensack, beginning with a high-priced fund-raiser at the Stony Hill Inn.
The next stop was the rally at the Academies, where Ferriero and a who’s who in Bergen County politics gave their endorsements to the former First Lady. She ended the night in Hudson County, where Clinton spoke at historic Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
“I’m endorsing Hillary for president because she is the best qualified candidate. She stands for change and brings a lot of experience to the table,” Tomas Padilla, a Democrat and chairman of the Bergen County Freeholders, told Hackensack Chronicle.
“It’s really exciting to have Hillary here and it’s important, too, with so few days remaining until the primary.”
The New Jersey Primary is scheduled for Feb. 5.
Clinton targeted Bergen, the state’s most populous county, with hopes of securing New Jersey’s electorate. The most recent polls released by Quinnipiac University reveal Clinton holds a considerate but not yet comfortable margin over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. With Obama’s win last week in South Carolina, New Jersey has become a key state for the Democratic presidential nomination for the first time since the 1980s.
“Bergen County is Hillary Clinton country,” Ferriero said. “Thirty-four of 34 Democratic mayors [in Bergen] are for Hillary.”
Among those mayors who were present at BCA last week were Jorge Meneses of Hackensack, Mauro Raguseo of Little Ferry and Michael Wildes of Englewood. All seven of the county freeholders gave their endorsements, as did State Sen. Bob Gordon and assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood) and Connie Wagner (D-Paramus).
“We have to give power to someone who knows how to use it, someone with experience,” said Gordon, drawing applause from the audience, some of whom waited nearly three hours for the opportunity to see and cheer on Clinton.
When Clinton finally appeared in the BCA gymnasium, she was serenaded to chants of “Hil-la-ry! Hil-la-ry!” and was escorted to the stage by Ferriero and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. Bill Clinton appeared in Hackensack less than one year ago to endorse Menendez for United States Senate.
Clinton’s message last week was one of change in the White House, as she addressed what was wrong with the current administration. And she briefly outlined her own policy if she’s elected president, focusing on universal health care and reforms in No Child Left Behind and mortgages, as well as pulling troops out of Iraq.
“No Child Left Behind isn’t working. We need accountability, but kids shouldn’t be test takers and teachers shouldn’t just be test makers,” she said.
She said an easy solution to Iraq isn’t likely, but if she’s elected, Clinton hopes to withdraw troops within a two-month period.
“It has to be done carefully, but they are on notice from me. Within 60 days, we are leaving and we are going to take care of [the troops] when they come back,” she said.
Clinton acknowledged that repairing the country’s damaged reputation internationally wouldn’t be a simple task. Planning and cooperation between all parties will be needed, she said, but new leadership is where the job begins.
“America is always breaking barriers. But for the past seven years, we were told that we can’t. Since when was America a ‘can’t do’ country,” said Clinton drawing applause and rhythmic chants from the crowd of approximately 500 high school students, senior citizens, and other supporters.
“We’re going to take our country back!”
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