Clinton visit causes flurry of activity
by Emily Schmidt, posted Feb. 13, 2008
In spite of little advance notice, thousands showed up in support of former President Bill Clinton as he recruited votes for his wife and presidential candidate, Hillary. Bill Clinton spoke to a large crowd at the MU Recreation Center Saturday, Feb. 2.
“I didn’t really hear anything about it, just a simple ad on the radio,” said College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources junior Taryn Dameron. “I can’t believe I missed something as big as a former president coming to campus.”
Many students were divided as to what to think of Clinton’s visit to MU.
“I think that by Bill and Chelsea coming instead of Hillary it proves that this election is more re-electing Bill — not Hillary,” said sophomore Megan Ostling.
Bill Clinton wasn’t the first Clinton to stop in Columbia. On Monday of the same week, Chelsea Clinton held a Q & A session at the Memorial Union on the MU campus.
Other presidential candidates also visited Missouri in the final days before the Super Tuesday primary including Mitt Romney in St. Louis, Barack Obama in St. Louis and Kansas City, John McCain in Chesterfield, and finally Mike Huckabee in Jefferson City. All of this was in preparation for the Missouri primary Feb. 5.
“Known as ‘Super Tuesday,’ this day holds more primary elections than any other election day,” said MU agricultural economics professor Jan Dauve.
The MU Recreation Center had to do a few quick preparations for the arrival of Bill Clinton.
“Bill coming sent the MU Rec Center into a quick fury,” Ostling said. “We found out at max two days before. The staff was encouraged to look the best they have ever looked. There were two signs, a "Clinton Nation" banner hanging down from the track and a “Solutions for America” banner.
“The Secret Service had say on everything we did and came the day before to check out the facility and make sure that it was proper enough. We also had a full fireman staff for dangers and additional help, along with another set of police.”
Needless to say the MU Rec Center was a busy place.
“The place was packed,” Ostling said. “There were people on the stairs, on the track, on the gym floor.”
Democrat Hillary Clinton is the first woman to make a serious run for the presidency, making this election extremely popular for young voters.
Others remaining in the race are Democrat Barack Obama and Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee.
