The presidential campaign season in Charlottesville began in earnest yesterday with Democratic contender Hillary Clinton's visit to the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall. Clinton focused on several domestic and foreign affairs issues during the fundraiser, as best-selling author John Grisham moderated the event.
"We have not voted for a Democrat [for President] since 1964," Grisham said, referring to Virginia's recent Republican-leaning electoral college record.
Clinton said she recognizes the difficulty a Democratic presidential nominee would face trying to win the Commonwealth; however, she said she is still hopeful.
"If you look at Virginia, it is still a reach for a Democratic presidential candidate," Clinton said. "If we put together a positive agenda that makes sense to the people in Virginia ... it could be that Virginia would be competitive -- and I'm not ceding any part of America."
Clinton emphasized her domestic agenda, clarifying her position on topics ranging from the environment and education to health care.
"I've been committed to universal health care for a long time," Clinton said. "We have to change our health care system, but do it in a way that keeps faith with what people like about our system, but changes what doesn't work."
Clinton, however, was careful to distance her new health care proposal from her failed reform in the early 1990s.
"What I proposed this week is very different from what we proposed back in '93 and '94," Clinton said. "I learned a lot of lessons back then and I'm going to put those to work as president."
The new plan, she said, avoids several problems of her previous initiative by including tax credits for small businesses that provide health care to employees and allowing those who are satisfied with their health care coverage to keep their current plan.
Clinton also touched on her environmental platform.
"Global warming -- I think it's finally broken through on the public consciousness that it is a real problem," Clinton said.
Clinton cited economic, ecological and security interests as reasons to pursue energy policy reforms, which could be powered by new energy-efficient technologies.
"We have to go at it with the same level of support that we did with the Apollo project," Clinton said.
In addition, Clinton addressed educational reform, specifically placing college affordability and pre-kindergarten education as top priorities.
The fundraiser was manned by University Democrats volunteers who were excited to help the campaign.
"We are thrilled she came here," University Democrats President Sophia Brumby said. "Its fantastic that they had 200 student tickets ... They are giving young people a central role in the campaign."
Others, however, were not as enthused about Clinton's visit. Protester Dennise Tynan of Albemarle County carried a sign that read, "Hillary Clinton: pro-war, pro-Nafta, pro-patriot act, pro-death penalty, progressive?!?"
"She appears more liberal than she really is," Tynan said. "She's the type that caves to special interest."
College Republicans Student Advisor Craig Orndorff, who did not attend the speech, noted, however, that Clinton is "attracted to grand ideological visions that ultimately won't play out."
Orndorff said Clinton has positioned herself as the mainstream candidate for the Democratic Party.
"She is certainly ambitious -- really an excellent politician," Orndorff said. "She's got all the right moves to appeal to the different factions in the Democratic Party."
Tickets for the event ranged from $25 for students to $2,300. All revenue went to benefit the Clinton campaign.
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