Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited Brookings, South Dakota today for a town hall meeting at the Agricultural Heritage Museum. She arrived on the dot at the scheduled time of 5:30PM.
Since I am rooting for Hillary Clinton this coming U.S. election [although I really couldn't vote], I was eager to meet and see her in person. This was the best time to meet a soon-to-be president of the United States, so I thought. Also, the Agricultural Heritage Museum is just a stone-throw away from my office or from my house.The place was open to the public. I was at the gathering area at exactly 4:00PM, as advertised, in time for the hall opening. Alas, there was already a long queue of mostly Americans (of course) and few curious foreigners (like me) eager to see Clinton.
It took more than 30 minutes to finally be a couple of meters near the gate, since secret agents were inspecting everyone head to foot upon entry. However, luck wasn't just on my side. Just as I thought I'd set foot in the hall and find my seat, officers blocked the entrance and announced that the hall was full. Damn! I was outside with other hundreds of Americans.After about 20 minutes of standing outside, Hillary Clinton arrived. At first, it was hard to see her as she didn't even stand on the platform while delivering her speech. Knowing that I am so deficient in the height category, vis-a-vis, the American standards, I had to tiptoe most of the time to somehow get a glimpse of Clinton. I had to move my head left and right, trying to avoid the tall people in front of me and not to mention the press people and police officers crisscrossing the hall.
Yipee, Clinton's old blonde hair shimmered in the limelight, good enough to catch my attention and to fix my eyes on her. I took photos from where I stood, though I knew it would be blurred.
Hillary Clinton talked about a variety of things, which are included in her election platform:1. Protection of the next generation through paying off the United States debt.
2. Reduction of outsourcing-bring more jobs back home.
3. Reduction of taxes within a balanced budget.
4. Shortage of teachers by providing a salary increase.
5. Fight terrorism with cooperation.
6. Support for universal coverage through affordable health care options for all citizens.
7. Support strengthening the Medicare program.
8. Restricting the number of troops in Iraq and limit war funding.
And more...
I love Clinton over Obama because I think the lady has the tested leadership skills to put the United States back on track. Obama? He is inexperienced and he loves to play with words. I don't want someone who just talks about it and whose views are very immature. I want to hear concrete plans and directions. I believe Senator Hillary Clinton is by far the best choice to be the next President of the United States.
After the Q&A, I was hoping Clinton to come out of the hall and shake hands with those unable to see her up close. She didn't. People waited long outside just to be informed afterwards that she had left the hall minutes ago.
Hillary Clinton failed me. I was upset not to get closer to her. She didn't even mind the chanting of the other hundred fellow "hopefuls" outside - "We want Hillary! We want Hillary!".
In that aspect, I was very disappointed. But in the end, I still went home quite amused. After all, I was almost there. Almost. Just 20 meters or so away. Next time, I will be the earliest bird on the scene!
Labels: Brookings South Dakota
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