Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially launches her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech on Roosevelt Island on June 13, 2015 in New York ©Timothy A. Clary (AFP)
Hillary Clinton addressed thousands of her supporters at a rally on Roosevelt Island Saturday. NY1's Josh Robin filed this report.
Hillary Clinton's first big rally comes two months after clinton formally entered the race. A major purpose was to convince democrats she's not the centrist or even conservative some suspect.
Clinton obliged with a searing attack on Republicans she says they're singing an old song.
"A song called "Yesterday." You know the one—'All our troubles look as though they're here to stay and they need a place to hide away.' They believe in yesterday and you're lucky I didn't try singing that too, I'll tell you," Clinton said.
After dishing the red meat, Clinton made this appeal. Perhaps unlike what critics say of President Barack Obama, she can get stuff done.
"We are at our best when we pick each other up, when we have each other's back. Like any family, our American family is strongest when we cherish what we have in common and fight back against those who would drive us apart," Clinton said.
It wasn't only about Hillary Clinton. The hit band Echosmith also played, giving this political event a young, musical festival feel.
Her audience Saturday appeared at least a generation younger that the 67-year-old.
Clinton joked about her age and the aging that the White House often inflicts on its occupants. She also is banking that an election can be won on who she simply is.
"I may not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I will be the youngest woman president in the history of the United States," the 67 year old said to cheers and applause. "And the first grandmother as well!"
The former secretary of state was joined on stage by husband and former president Bill, daughter Chelsea and their son-in-law Marc Mezvinsky, embracing, holding hands and waving to a rapturous sea of waving flags.
With chants of "Hillary!" and whoops of delight, it was a festival of wholesome middle-class America, decked with red, white and blue flags, bordered by leafy trees and overlooked by the skyscrapers of New York.
She drew on the disadvantaged background of her mother, who was forced to work as a maid aged 14 during the Great Depression, to tell voters that she understood first hand their problems.
"My mother taught me that everybody needs (a) chance and a champion. She knew what it was like not to have either one," Clinton said.
"Prosperity just can´t be for CEOs and hedge fund managers. Democracy can´t be just for billionaires."Americans need a better deal."
After the rally, Clinton will head to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, where she is expected to build on the themes she introduced in New York. - AFP
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