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Hillary Clinton Barbs GOP, Talks Gun Control at First Ohio Campaign Event

Clinton at today's event in Cleveland (pic: Brian Bull)
Clinton at today's event in Cleveland (pic: Brian Bull)

By ideastream's Brian Bull

Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton made her first campaign stop in Cleveland today.

A friendly crowd of nearly 1,000 people greeted her at Case Western Reserve University.

Clinton’s visit comes as the latest Quinnipiac poll shows support for her among Democrats is shrinking, while interest in Senator Bernie Sanders and Vice President Joe Biden is growing…despite the VP not formally running.

But Clinton looked unphased as she stepped on the stage and began attacking Republicans on trickle down economics, restrictions on voting times and access, and abortion.  She also advocated more gun control…citing the recent shooting deaths of a TV reporter and cameraman in Virginia this week. 

“I don’t know how we keep seeing shooting after shooting…read about the people murdered…because they went to Bible study, or they went to the movies, or they were just doing their job….and not finally say, ‘We gotta do something about this.”

Clinton said Clevelanders can relate, adding that Tamir Rice – a local 12-year-old boy fatally shot by police last fall --  should be alive.

Clinton aslo called Republican candidates’ views on women “extreme', telling the crowd that the GOP’s efforts to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, and its opposition to abortion rights are harmful to women’s rights and health. 

“Extreme views about women? We expect that from some of the terrorist groups," added Clinton. "We expect that from people who don’t want to live in the modern world.  But it’s a little hard to take coming from Republicans who want to be the President of the United States.  Yet they espouse out of date and out of touch policies, they are dead wrong for 21 st century America, we’re going forward, we’re not going back!” as the crowd erupted into cheers.

Clinton cited candidates Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and Ohio Governor John Kasich in her speech.

The Republican National Committee says Clinton should apologize for comparing GOP candidates to terrorists, calling it “inflammatory rhetoric”.  

As part of the day’s campaign effort, organizers pressed attendees including retired factory worker Margaret Flaute to pledge their votes for Clinton.  Flaute says the former Secretary of State remains her sole choice.

“I want a woman president before I die," Flaute says. "Men had all their chances, and we just keep going backward.   And we need to go forward.” 

After the event, Clinton left to headline a private fundraiser. 

She returns to Ohio next month, stumping in Cincinnati.