Bill Clinton Campaigns For Hillary In Pennsylvania

April 21--Hellam Township resident Tiffany Enos-Lehman left Harrisburg inspired by Bill Clinton's speech Thursday afternoon.

Former President Clinton emphasized "rising together" as he campaigned for his wife, Hillary Clinton, in front of a crowd of more than 500 people at the Keystone Building.

"The desire to help everybody regardless of party -- that's what we need," Enos-Lehman said.

The registered Democrat had stood in line with her daughter Sophia Andia, an eighth-grader at Eastern York Middle School, beginning around 10:30 a.m. for the 12:30 p.m. speech.

"I like what Hillary stands for, even though I can't vote," said Sophia, who had seen Hillary Clinton speak earlier in the year during a trip to Florida.

Enos-Lehman, who can and did vote for Bill Clinton in previous elections, said she likes what Hillary Clinton's primary opponent Bernie Sanders stands for, but she decided to vote for the former first lady, senator and secretary of state because she's more qualified.

Speech: During his speech, Bill Clinton said his wife was the only candidate running from either party with credible experience.

Among the many issues he addressed on behalf of Hillary's campaign were job creation, reducing student debt and health care reform.

On the topic of reducing student debt, Bill Clinton said Bernie Sanders' idea of free college required states to match one-third of those costs, which was unlikely to occur.

"What do you think the odds are that this legislature will vote to pay that?" Bill Clinton asked the audience, alluding to the recent budget impasse in Pennsylvania.

Hillary Clinton's plan to reduce student debt includes an increase in work study positions and allowing the students to refinance the debt like people can currently do with home loans, Bill Clinton said.

Issues: Bill Clinton also referenced Hillary Clinton's fight against deaths caused by addiction to heroin and prescription drugs.

Fadia Abdelrahman, of York Township, said America's drug problem and issues with mental health care were among the most important issues she hoped to see addressed by the next president.

"It's affecting so many young kids," she said.

Abdelrahman, who became an American citizen in 2004 after moving from Sudan, said she is a registered Democrat and 100 percent behind Hillary Clinton.

"I think she would be an inspiration to young women, not just in America, but globally," she said.

Karen Depaoli, of Newberry Township, attended the speech because seeing Bill Clinton was on her bucket list, but she's still undecided on who will receive her vote, she said.

She said she planned on attending the rally for Donald Trump later in the day at the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex.

A registered Republican, Depaoli said she was leaning toward voting for Hillary Clinton because of her stance on equal pay for women.

Bill Clinton said he believed his wife was the best candidate for president she had the best ideas, most experience and an ability to make change happen.

"She always finds a way to make something good happen," he said. "That's why she should be president."

-- Reach David Weissman at dweissman@yorkdispatch.com.

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