By STEPHANIE MOJICA
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton spoke to an overflowing crowd at Indiana University Southeast on Tuesday about her mother’s plans to rebuild the country if elected president of the United States.
Clinton, the 28-year-old daughter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton, has traveled the country campaigning on her mother’s behalf this spring. Hillary Clinton hopes to secure the Democratic Party nomination for president.
Dozens of people began gathering at IUS a couple of hours before the event, and about 350 people attended. Clinton spoke in a gentle voice with strong words on why she feels her mother needs to become the next president.
Of her mother’s plan to institute optional universal health care if elected, Clinton said, “It is not only the morally right thing to do, but the economically right thing to do.”
Clinton noted the uninsured and underinsured in the U.S. are more likely to be women, minorities, single parents and people in the lowest quarter of income. She also said people are “more likely to die in the U.S. if [they] don’t have health insurance. I think that is immoral in the United States.”
If Hillary Clinton is elected president, she will double the current Pell Grant for higher education to $10,800, get the government back into direct student lending at interest rates of 31/2 percent or less, and eliminate the current complex paperwork that college financial aid requires, her daughter said.
Concerning Iraq, Clinton said her mother is dedicated to withdrawing the troops and those Iraqis who have been helping protect American civilians and soldiers quickly and safely. A refugee program would be set up for approximately 3,000 Iraqis who have actively helped Americans.
“We have a moral obligation to those who have helped keep our men and women safe,” Clinton said.
She also noted the war is costing the country $330 million a day, and that President George W. Bush has unsuccessfully tried to enact legislation that would force his successor to keep troops in Iraq.
After the speech and question-and-answer session, Clinton posed for pictures and signed autographs for supporters before going to Indianapolis.
Kim Wells of New Albany was one of those who attended the speech. She said she was “amazed at how articulate, composed and passionate” Clinton was.
Stephanie French, a regional press secretary for the Clinton campaign, said she was pleased with the turnout.
“The support in this part of Indiana is phenomenal,” French said. “We get a lot of repeat visitors.”
Stacy Burch, a 2005 IUS graduate, was chosen to introduce Clinton at the event.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” Burch said. “I’m excited that Indiana is receiving attention during the primary season.”
