ANDERSON - Marilou Mullett, Wabash, and her two daughters waited eight hours to hear Democrat Presidential Candidate and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton speak.
Mullett, 79, and her daughters, Katrina Smith and Theresa Hamilton, attended the "Solutions For The American Economy" town hall meeting with 7,000 other Hoosiers at the Wigwam, Anderson High School's gymnasium.The women wore t-shirts that read "Hillary For President," held flags and a sign that read "Wabash For Hillary" and "We Support You."
"I've voted Democrat all my life, and I think it is time for a woman to be president," Mullett said from her seat near the front row.
Hamilton, now 53, recalled how exciting it was in the fourth grade seeing Bobby Kennedy when he made a train stop in Wabash. She said is it is important Indiana puts Clinton in the White House.
Senator Evan Bayh introduced Clinton. Bayh also joined Clinton on her stops in Terre Haute and Evansville. Bayh is supporting Clinton in her bid to gain the presidential nomination.
Her visit will likely be the first of many before the May 6 primary as she and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama fight for Indiana's 72 delegates.
"It takes strength and resolve to lead the country, and Hillary has the steel in her spine to make that happen," Bayh said to a cheering audience.
Clinton spent half an hour addressing topics including reinvesting in manufacturing, creating new jobs and ending the war in Iraq. Audience members were also allowed to ask questions and address concerns.
"We've got some big challenges ahead, and I don't think it matters if you are a Democrat or a Republican," Clinton said.
"We are first and foremost Americans who know we need to take another direction and cannot continue in the path that has been laid out by George W. Bush."
Clinton said she is confident that the economy can be turned around and millions of jobs can be created. The comment got a standing ovation, claps and shouts of support from the audience.
"When people say we should go back to the '90s I always wonder if they want the peace or the prosperity," Clinton said.
She said in the 1990s, more than 22 million new jobs were created, family income was rising and more people were lifted out of poverty than anytime in the nation's recent history.
She said she believes America can create millions of new jobs with clean, renewable energy.
"Indiana can have home-grown energy from the agricultural products it produces," Clinton said.
"With its industrial base and skilled workforce, Indiana can be a part of the next generation of higher gas mileage cars, wind and solar energy," Clinton said.
She shifted the discussion to the topic of affordable healthcare for all Americans.
Clinton said she doesn't feel the U.S. economy will recover unless a way is figured out to provide quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.
She also touched on the topic of bringing troops home from the Iraq war.
Clinton said if she is elected, she believes with proper planning, troops can begin to be brought home beginning 60 days after she president.
She also said she will work to make sure wounded veterans and soldiers get the healthcare they need.
