Clinton to visit IU on Friday

IU once again will play host to the political dogfight for the Democratic nomination for president. \nFollowing visits by her daughter, husband and opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., will make her first IU stop of the campaign Friday, speaking at 12:30 p.m. at Assembly Hall. The speech, “Solutions for the American Economy,” is open and free to the public. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.\n“This is an amazing opportunity to hear a passionate speech from a possible presidential candidate,” said AnnElyse Gibbons, the president of IU Hoosiers for Hillary. “As students, we should take every educational opportunity you have, and this is a great opportunity to hear from a senator and a primary candidate.” \nThe visit comes just days after Clinton secured about a 10-point victory in Pennsylvania’s primary that has given her campaign justification to fight on for the Democratic nomination. Now, the focus of both campaigns is on Indiana and its 72 pledged delegates up for stake in the May 6 primary. \n“With that win I think her chances got a lot better,” Gibbons said. “I think that shows people in Indiana that she can win and that there’s no chance she’s quitting now. I think people will see her as the contender I know her to be.”\nWith the state of the economy expected to be the focus of the speech, Gibbons said students should be especially interested in the topic as many struggle with student loans, debt and searching for jobs. \n“I think many students will agree with Hillary’s platform,” she said, “and they will see that things like the economy and the war have a large effect on them.”\nThough she is undecided if she’ll attend the speech, sophomore Samantha Israel said she believes the chance to directly hear from the candidates is very valuable. \n“I’m more interested in hearing the candidates speak rather than just reading about it in the newspaper,” she said. “Seeing them speak will help people better understand what their views are and make them want to vote.”\nClinton will be the first candidate to deliver public remarks on campus, but most students interviewed said they don’t believe Clinton’s stop will come anywhere close to the excitement level that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., received when he toured the track at the women’s Little 500 and Nick’s English Hut. \n“I don’t think she’ll see any of the following that Obama got,” said sophomore Andrew Barber. “I think college students relate with him and see him as cooler and younger, and they like his message that you can change the world.”\nBut Gibbons disagreed by saying she thinks the campus will be just as excited, and she hopes Assembly Hall will be packed for the New York senator’s visit. \n“I think she has just as big a following as Obama,” Gibbons said. “I think people will leave her speech with a great sense of rejuvenation and will open their minds to the passion that she has.”