Bill Clinton to stump in Medford

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Ashland resident Carol Marcus, 85, says getting Hillary Clinton elected as president has become her cause. Marcus stopped by the Democratic headquarters Friday to sign up as a volunteer.Bob Pennell

March 29, 2008

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

Former President Bill Clinton will make a campaign stop at Hedrick Middle School in Medford Sunday afternoon to rally local Democrats to support Sen. Hillary Clinton for president.

The event will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hedrick, 1501 E. Jackson St. Clinton campaign officials say the appearance is free and open to the public, but recommend registering at www.hillaryclinton.com/medford.

Milt Goldman, who is leading the Clinton campaign in Jackson County, said he doesn't know how many would fit into the middle school gym, but he thought it might hold about 1,000.

He said Bill Clinton's appearance will be a boost for Hillary Clinton's campaign.

"I love it," he said. "How can you beat it? He's the best speaker in the United States today."

Isaac Baker, spokesman for the Clinton campaign, said the former president's visit doesn't mean Hillary Clinton won't come to Oregon.

"She's definitely coming to Oregon," he said.

Clinton's schedule is constantly changing, he said, so he doesn't know whether she will be in Southern Oregon on the first trip or later in the campaign.

"She will be campaigning aggressively all over Oregon, including campaigning aggressively in Southern Oregon," he said.

Baker said Bill Clinton likely will hold a town hall meeting in which he will take questions from the audience.

His appearance is being billed as a "Solutions for America Event."

He will hold a similar event at Bend Senior High School on Monday, though a time hasn't yet been set.

Ashland resident Carol Marcus, who signed up to volunteer at Democratic headquarters in Medford Friday, said that getting Hillary Clinton elected has become her cause.

"If she doesn't get elected, I will slit my throat," said the 85-year-old.

She doesn't find any appeal in Clinton's democratic opponent, Barack Obama, the Illinois senator who held a town hall and rally in Medford last Saturday.

"I think he's a big liar," she said.

"He promises apple pie in the sky."

Clinton is trailing Obama in opinion polls in Oregon. Rasmussen Reports released poll results Thursday that show Obama as the most popular of the three candidates in the presidential race and is viewed favorably by 60 percent of the 500 likely voters questioned. Obama's numbers are down from 66 percent a month ago.

McCain comes in second and is viewed favorably by 51 percent, down from 56 percent a month ago, according to the poll.

Clinton is viewed favorably by 46 percent, a two-point decline.

The Oregon primary will be held May 20.

Paulie Brading, chairwoman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, said the attention to Jackson County by national political figures underscores how important this area is in the state.

"It shows me directly that this is a swing county," she said.

Turnouts to Obama visits in Medford and throughout the state last week were very high. "It sends a signal," she said.

Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, said he thinks the voting patterns in Southern Oregon will remain the same and that there is no trend to the contrary.

Even though there are large numbers who will turn out for a Democratic event in Jackson County, Platt said many Republicans and other conservatives are turned off by both Clinton and Obama.

"Jackson County is Republican country," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.

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