Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton walks through the snow as she campaigns door-to-door in Manchester, N.H., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
by Jill Zuckman
Plaistow, N.H. – A subdued and solemn Sen. Hillary Clinton made a case for herself Saturday as an agent of change throughout her lifetime of work as she sought to beat back momentum for Sen. Barack Obama in the early states.
“I have been working on behalf of change ever since I can remember,” Clinton said, citing her work as a lawyer for the Children’s Defense Fund, as a board member of the Legal Services Corporation, as First Lady and as a senator. “And it’s been work I have valued because I believe each and every one of us has an obligation to give back.”
Two New Hampshire mothers introduced Clinton in a middle school gymnasium here, describing difficult personal circumstances involving their children and how Clinton had helped them. Both are featured in new, 60-second radio ads.
Barbara Marzelli, whose son has gone through four open-heart surgeries and is enrolled in the children’s health insurance program (SCHIP), praised Clinton for helping to create the program for kids.”Without this, we would have lost everything, including our child,” she said. “Hillary will prove to you, as she has with our family already, that she has the strength, experience, commitment and heart to lead this country.”
And Annmarie Morse told the voters here about her college daughter’s losing fight against colon cancer and the problem her family faced when they realized she would lose her health insurance as soon as she left school for medical treatment.
More Top Picks Best Leather Boots For Women For Men
Morse successfully lobbied for a new law in New Hampshire allowing college students to take medical leave and keep their health insurance; now she’s working with Clinton to pass the law at the federal level.
“Hillary Clinton is passionate about health care for everyone,” Morse said. “My motto is ‘never mess with a mom who is passionate about anything.’ “
The testimonials were designed to underscore Clinton’s argument in the closing days and weeks of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary that she isn’t just calling for change, she’s been making change for years.
“It really comes down to one question – who is ready and able on day one to make the changes America deserves to have?” she asked.
“Some believe you can get change by demanding it. Some believe you can get change by hoping for it. I believe you get change by working hard,” Clinton said, indirectly criticizing Obama and his message of hope.
Clinton began her day in the state by knocking on doors in a Manchester neighborhood, surprising voters with a face-to-face appeal for their support. With temperatures in the teens here, Clinton walked down the street with state Sen. Lou D’Alessandro, persistently ringing bells and knocking until someone answered.
“I’m voting for you and so is everybody I know!” one excited woman told her.