Published: May 11, 2008 10:19 pm      

On campaign trail

Clinton visits Grafton for Mother’s Day

GRAFTON — Sunday was Mother’s Day, but U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton did not take the day off.

Instead, she was campaigning here at the birthplace of the holiday.

Clinton, along with her daughter Chelsea, toured the home of Mother’s Day founder Anna Jarvis early in the afternoon. The two Clintons stopped briefly to wave to onlookers who had braved the rain to line the road in order to catch a glimpse of the presidential candidate.

“Happy Mother’s Day,” Clinton shouted to the spectators.

After the tour, it was off to the B&O Railroad Heritage Center in Grafton for a campaign rally. During the rally, Clinton, who is expected to carry the state in Tuesday’s primary, highlighted her mother’s working-class roots.

She also cited examples of how women have changed the history of the United States, naming such figures as Harriet Tubman, the famous conductor on the Underground Railroad; Dolores Huerta, a founding member of the United Farm Workers; and Sally Ride, the first American woman into space. Clinton said these women, among many others, had been defying convention for a long time, and those living today should continue to strive for equal rights and to break into male-dominated roles.

Clinton also read excerpts from a few letters of encouragement she had received from other mothers around the country. One of these letters implored her to “keep fighting.”

“The fact is that you stood throughout the constant ups and downs of this race,” Clinton read from the letter. “You never wavered, and you never gave up.”

She also read another letter written to her, which she labeled as her favorite, that said, “It’s not over until the lady in the pantsuit says it is.”

Clinton also touched on some issues she would address if elected to the chief executive position. She said the U.S government needs to address the mortgage crisis, which has caused many in the country to lose their homes. She also said elected officials “need to get serious” about providing health care to citizens, as well as cutting the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

“And we need to tackle these high gas prices,” she said to a round of applause from the packed room.

Clinton’s message seemed to strike a cord with many in the audience as the crowd broke out in applause numerous times. Jamie Seargeant, a resident of Grafton who attended the rally, said he was really impressed with Clinton’s speech. Seargeant said the candidate had broached topics that hit close to home.

“I had to take a lower-paying job because I couldn’t afford the high gas prices and to get (health) benefits,” said the former construction worker.

Seargeant’s wife Kristy was also on hand for the rally. She said her favorite part of the speech was when Clinton pledged to bring the troops in Iraq back home.

Clinton’s visit to West Virginia did not end with the Mother’s Day event in Grafton. After making other stops in the Mountain State, she will be on hand at Gov. Joe Manchin’s traditional election eve rally tonight at the Feaster Center on Fairmont State University’s campus. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

E-mail Paul Fallon at pfallon@timeswv.com.