ANDERSON -¡- Once Senator Hillary Clinton stepped in front of the tightly-packed crowd Thursday at Anderson High School's gym, she had complete control.
Clinton took the stage with the same poise and complacency as she has countless other times over the course of her campaign after an introduction by Senator Evan Bayh, widely considered to be a likely vice presidential nominee. As Clinton began to speak, her hoarse, nearly broken voice focused the screaming crowd.
"I want to be really serious for a few minutes," Clinton said as screams of excitement turned into silence. "We have a big challenge ahead of us. It doesn't matter if your Republican or Democrat or any other ideology, we are first and foremost Americans."
The masses began screaming once again as a smile came over the former first lady's face.
Clinton's remarks were focused on what she said would it take to put the country in a different direction.
She said this election was about the leadership required to be president. A president needed to be able to bring the country together, set goals and accomplish them, she said.
The goals she expanded upon were having tighter fiscal responsibility, fixing the tax breaks to big business, international trade and creating new jobs.
Quickly getting to the point, Clinton said she realized how hard Indiana has been hit by job loss the last eight years.
"Indiana can be a forefront for jobs and energy," she said. "The corn here can be turned into ethanol at the pump. But if we don't take back the White House, it's not going to change."
Steve Lewis, president of the United Auto Workers in Anderson, was one of two people asked to speak on stage with Clinton.
Lewis said the Anderson area has gone from more than 30,000 manufacturing jobs to zero in the last eight years.
"This is a serious issue and we are thankful for Hillary to be here representing us in Anderson," Lewis said.
After a standing ovation from the Union workers scattered throughout the stands, Clinton moved onto health care.
"I think the people should be open to the plan members of Congress have, and I'm going to help you pay for it," Clinton said. "I am convinced health care can be affordable."
Despite the lack of college-aged supporters in the stands, Clinton still outlined her plan to help bring down college debt. In addition to increasing Pell Grants, Clinton proposed a national 21st Century Scholar's program. The program was originally created for Indiana when Bayh was Govenor to help students who stay out of trouble pay for college tuition.
Among the faces to show up behind Clinton was Rep. Andre Carson, the son of late Julia Carson, who was elected recently in a special election to fill his mother's position in United States House of Representatives. Looking around the gym coated in blue signs, Carson said Clinton and her campaign meant a lot to the state.
"She is very important [to Indiana]," Carson said. "She is a visionary, as is her husband, and I think her coming here is historic and has great significance."
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