Democratic presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton found a crowd of high school students, state politicos and some folks who just wanted to hear what the candidate had to offer Wednesday at Capital High School's gymnasium.
Democratic presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton found a crowd of high school students, state politicos and some folks who just wanted to hear what the candidate had to offer Wednesday at Capital High School's gymnasium.
"This is a great day to get out of classes," Clinton said to the cheers of students in the bleachers above her.
"What really excites me is to see so many high school kids enjoyed by these candidates," said House of Delegates member Nancy Guthrie, D-Kanawha. "They're excited by these candidates."
Guthrie called herself one of the undecided voters at the gathering. "We have two wonderful candidates," she said.
It was the second campaign stop in the Mountain State for the New York senator, who drew a standing-room only crowd at West Virginia State University last year.
Wednesday's crowd of about 1,500 included a number of political candidates, like secretary of state contender Natalie Tennant, who used the event to campaign for themselves.
It also brought out the old political warhorses. Phyllis Rutledge, a former state lawmaker and Kanawha County officeholder, sported a Hillary T-shirt her son-in-law gave her for Christmas.
"She's an extremely smart woman and I think it's time we had a woman as president," Rutledge said.
Charleston resident Meredith Taylor said stopping the Iraq war, universal health care and the past eight years of the George Bush administration brought her to see Clinton.
"I think the best man for the job is a woman," she said.
Longtime state Democratic leader Steve White, a Charleston lawyer, said "absolutely" Clinton is his candidate of choice.
Democratic presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton found a crowd of high school students, state politicos and some folks who just wanted to hear what the candidate had to offer Wednesday at Capital High School's gymnasium.
"This is a great day to get out of classes," Clinton said to the cheers of students in the bleachers above her.
"What really excites me is to see so many high school kids enjoyed by these candidates," said House of Delegates member Nancy Guthrie, D-Kanawha. "They're excited by these candidates."
Guthrie called herself one of the undecided voters at the gathering. "We have two wonderful candidates," she said.
It was the second campaign stop in the Mountain State for the New York senator, who drew a standing-room only crowd at West Virginia State University last year.
Wednesday's crowd of about 1,500 included a number of political candidates, like secretary of state contender Natalie Tennant, who used the event to campaign for themselves.
It also brought out the old political warhorses. Phyllis Rutledge, a former state lawmaker and Kanawha County officeholder, sported a Hillary T-shirt her son-in-law gave her for Christmas.
"She's an extremely smart woman and I think it's time we had a woman as president," Rutledge said.
Charleston resident Meredith Taylor said stopping the Iraq war, universal health care and the past eight years of the George Bush administration brought her to see Clinton.
"I think the best man for the job is a woman," she said.
Longtime state Democratic leader Steve White, a Charleston lawyer, said "absolutely" Clinton is his candidate of choice.
"I think she'll win," he said. "We'll see."
A number were like the high school students, just beginning to gain a political interest.
Vickie Cummings said she has only recently started following politics. Clinton is the candidate she now favors.
"I just feel that she's the person who can handle it," she said.
History brought Charleston resident Linda Ross to the high school.
"It's a chance in a lifetime to see her in person," she said, adding that she "loves the Clintons."
Eighty-three-year-old Ida Smith Price of St. Albans, who grew up in Chelyan, said she had heart surgery in October.
"I hope Hillary appreciates this," she said. "This is the first place I've been."
Marie Prezioso, state Democratic national committeewoman, would probably travel anywhere in the state to help Clinton's candidacy. She noted the crowd ranged from young to old and from professional to blue-collar worker.
"There's a real cross-section of people here," she said.
To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.
