Presidential candidates rally in Lone Star state
Before the Texas primaries, thousands of people flooded to various central Texas rally sites, waiting to see their favorite presidential candidates.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, attempting to set himself apart, stressed the importance of pro-life, secured borders and abolishing the IRS Feb. 28 in Waco.
“There’s a basic difference between me and some people running,” he said. “Some people be-lieve that it’s the government’s job to fix us, but I believe it’s our job to fix the government.”
Huckabee was not the only candidate trailing along the nation’s Bible Belt. Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and John McCain both made appearances in Waco’s “bear country.”
McCain, the recently clench-ed GOP nominee, spoke to supporters at a town hall meeting at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds.
His main points were tax cuts, trade and the economy. But most importantly, he spoke on foreign affairs and overseas relations.
“I believe the transcendent challenge of the 21st century is radical Islamic extremism and the threat it poses to everything we stand for and believe in,” he said. “We live in a rather dangerous world.”
The Arizona senator noted the democratic party’s desire to end the war on terrorism and refuted it when he said immediate withdrawal would be unbeneficial.
“We are succeeding in the war in Iraq. I will bring the American troops home with honor, and I will not surrender,” the former prisoner of war said.
After securing the Texas vote, McCain was endorsed by President George Bush March 5. The presidential hopeful must now consolidate the Republican party.
On the other end of the spectrum, Clinton’s message at the Waco Convention Center was quite different from her Republican adversary. She spoke on health care, the economy, the environment and paying off student loans.
The senator highlighted on her 35 years of experience and all that she has done changing peoples’ lives, the focus of her campaign slogan.
“I don’t want you to take me on a leap of faith,” she said. “I want you to look at what I’ve already done and what I’ve said I will do, because, ultimately, you are hiring a president.”
Clinton said to her Feb. 29 audience of 1,300 people, “I want you to know where I stand. I want you to know what I will do if you give me the privilege of being your president.”
Yet, despite Clinton’s presence and Obama’s absence in McLennan County, Sen. Obama still took more delegates in the precinct-level battle on March 4 during the Texas primaries.
Central Texas did not miss out on the political campaigns of 2008.
With pit stops in Waco, Austin and San Antonio, it’s no joke that candidates were seeking support from southern voters during the primary season.