Published: April 04, 2008 01:40 pm            

Locals enjoy Clinton rally

April 2, 2008 — Many who came to see Bill Clinton at his recent rally in the Morehead Conference Center were very excited. One person traveled two hours to see the former president.

Shelly Amburgey, a Hindman resident, is a devout democrat and supporter of the Clintons. He is a 1958 graduate of Morehead State University where he studied agriculture and industrial arts.

“I am a big fan of Bill Clinton. I have been to Clinton’s inauguration,” said Amburgey, as he sat waiting at 2 p.m. for the former president to arrive. He wasn’t scheduled to arrive until almost 6 p.m.

“We are supporting Hillary all over Kentucky,” he said. “My county gave Clinton the highest percentage of votes in the United States when he ran for president the first time, according to the NBC News. We plan to carry Hillary.”

Another Clinton supporter, Tonya Rasulis, sat outside in line for her 14-year-old son.

“My son Charles Logan is an eighth grade student at the middle school and he is a big fan of Clinton. I can’t believe there are not more people out here waiting,” Rasulis said.

“Bill Clinton was the best president we’ve had,” she said. “Everybody had money in savings and was working.”

Glenn Wolfe of Olive Hill arrived at the conference center at 8:30 a.m. for the event.

“I came to see the president and support his wife Hillary,” Wolfe said. “I wanted to see what he has to say. Also my wife, Ruth Ann loves Hillary.”

Tabitha Steagall is another Olive Hill resident who came to the rally with her friend Nikki Richards and greatly supports Hillary Clinton.

“I love Bill and Hillary Clinton,” Steagall said.

“I loved them since I can remember,” Richards said.

Travis Bond and Stephen Dillion are two college students who came to the event as a class assignment.

“We are here for extra credit for college,” Bond said. “Also Bill Clinton was a president I was raised up knowing.”

Late in the afternoon, crowds of citizens began filing along the sidewalk of First Street. As many as 4,000 people stood in line waiting for the former president to arrive.

Two Morehead State University groups came to show their support.

Derrick Riggs helped hold a “Vote for Hillary Banner.”

“Having an event like this is good for the Morehead community,” Riggs said. “It brings political awareness to citizens.”

Daniel Gover helped hold the banner.

“Go Hillary,” Gover said. “It’s good Bill is coming out to the small communities as well as the large communities. They’re (Clintons) showing they are committed to do what they are here for.”

“I believe this is an amazing experience for the university and the community to meet such an impactful person in this society,” said Lyndsay Woodrum, a volunteer for MSU.

“It is exciting to see Mr. Clinton and hear what he has to say on the behalf of Hillary,” Woodrum said.

Carter County Judge-executive Charles Wallace stood in line to see Clinton.

“It’s one of the greatest things to come to Eastern Kentucky,” Wallace said. “It is the first time in history that Kentucky has been involved in the decision for the presidential election.”

Susan Austin said she came to the rally for one thing.

“I’m a nurse. I came to the rally because of her women’s issues and health issues,” Austin said.

The fact that the former president chose to come to smaller cities such as Maysville and Morehead is typical to one supporter.

“I think it is typical of the Clintons to talk to people in small towns as well as larger towns,” said Lexington Team Hillary volunteer Brenda McClanahan.

“I think it is real exciting that he has come to Kentucky,” McClanahan said.

“The last time I saw a president was when Truman was here in 1948. It was at the old rail road track,” said Frankie Ferguson, a Morehead resident and a retired The Morehead News employee.

The Clinton rally was not held without opposition. A small group of MSU republican supporters stood across the street from the conference center in the no parking area holding signs protesting the event. The signs read: “No Morehead interns available!” and “People don’t forget!”

Paul Caskey, a flagrant Clinton supporter, shouted angrily at the students.

“You do not need to be here! You don’t know nothing they’ve done,” Caskey yelled.

“Officer, arrest these men,” Caskey said to a Morehead City Police officer who was standing by.

The officer refused to arrest the students.

“They should not be at a Clinton event,” Caskey protested. “Anybody who is not a Clinton supporter should not be here.”

“We are being harassed by people,” said Randy Whitehead, a MSU republican supporter.

“We want to show that Kentucky still has a republican presence,” said Justin May, the first vice chair of state for college republicans.

Unfortunately 2,200 people who waited patiently in line for the rally could not enter the building. About 1,800 people filled the conference center.

        

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