Hillary Clinton visits Cleveland State University

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

I've been leaning back and forth between Obama and Hillary. Don't know who I'm voting for.

But I wasn't at all impressed with the way Hillary spoke tonight. Everyone there was chanting that they don't want a "rock star" President, but Hillary delivered a short speech, she spent little time with the fans and actually yelled at some, and yanked signs out of their hands as she was signing them.

She was very pushy, she didn't want to listen to anyone, and compared to Bill and Barack Obama she was as cold as ice.

I did manage to meet her and thank her as well. She didn't even look at me, she just said "thank you for saying that" and moved on.

I don't know what to say. We have a candidate that has achieved "rock star" status and doesn't act like it..then we have one that isn't as favored and thinks that she deserves this nomination and that it's her seat already.

Being surrounded by screaming people isn't fun either. Instead of sitting comfortably in the guarded off press area, I decided to mingle and wrestle with the crowd, who were mostly 60+ year old women. A night I will never forget. (nothing against you lovely ladies who are reading this, it's just that a higher pitched voice sticks in your mind longer).

I can still hear the "HILLARYYYYYYYY!" and the 'You go girl!"'s echoing in my brain.

Enjoy the photos, they'll be up on the blogs soon! (off to bed).

Hillary Clinton Slide Show

[David Lay]

Great job, Ivor - I love the framing of the last shot!

[Jim O'Bryan]

I did manage to meet her and thank her as well. She didn't even look at me, she just said "thank you for saying that" and moved on.

I don't know what to say. We have a candidate that has achieved "rock star" status and doesn't act like it..then we have one that isn't as favored and thinks that she deserves this nomination and that it's her seat already.

Ivor


Funny, Steve and I had a different opinion. Though I have to admit being crushed was not the best feeling in the world.

I thought she was well spoken, not the "B" that had proceeded her. She did not speak in vague visions, but in knowledgeable "solutions."

As far as speaking, Obama is no Bill Clinton, and Hillary is no Obama. Bill Clinton was amazing, and his technique was better than any Baptist Minister I have ever heard. One opinion many seemed to share was the message the camps are sending out. "Obama would send a better message to the world, however Hillary is sharp in the here and now, and seems a little more ready."



"Ivor K" and Steve Davis. It has been funny talking with media for the past three weeks. You meet many people trade cards, and become friendly. The comment last night was "That kid is Ivor! How old is he? Checked out his work on the Observer, his work is amazing." They are correct.



Hillary taking the time to sign hundreds of autographs.



Mary Steenburgen stopped by to stump for Hillary.

I threw a couple images from last night up on my March photo blog.


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[Gary Rice]

Ivor,

You must be exhausted.

An outstanding week of photos, as well as learning about everything from politics, to ethics, people, places, learning to roll with criticism, and developing one's own personal growth!

Was it only in the Observer's last issue that you covered a congressman, and THAT was a big thing? Now, not even two weeks later, you have entered the pond of international photojournalism.

Your head must be spinning.

And you delivered the goods, with revealing insight into the candidates and their temperament, as well!

Of course, you covered Obama, starting out here in Cleveland quite a while ago, and even then, your photography was outstanding!

As for whom to vote for? That one's your call. By now, Hillary, Bill, John, Mike, and Barack must all be on the verge of exhaustion themselves. We have the opportunity to see them under extreme stress. Remember your stress, just with one article? Multiply that by maybe a thousandfold, and that's the shoes they're all wearing.

That's probably why, by the time they leave office, Presidents seem to age greatly.

Still, your hard work, and theirs, touches on a significant point. Hard work is still rewarded in this country.

Whomever you or I vote for, Republican or Democrat, they all have shown a great work ethic, as have you.

And that makes for a great America.

Whomever gets elected in November, I think we'll be just fine.

Oh yeah, congrats to Jim for helping to provide mentoring, and so many opportunities for Lakewoodites to get involved with this great Observer project, that now finds itself at the epicenter of the political world!

[stephen davis]

...I wasn't at all impressed with the way Hillary spoke tonight. Everyone there was chanting that they don't want a "rock star" President, but Hillary delivered a short speech, she spent little time with the fans and actually yelled at some, and yanked signs out of their hands as she was signing them.

She was very pushy, she didn't want to listen to anyone, and compared to Bill and Barack Obama she was as cold as ice.

I did manage to meet her and thank her as well. She didn't even look at me, she just said "thank you for saying that" and moved on.

I don't know what to say. We have a candidate that has achieved "rock star" status and doesn't act like it..then we have one that isn't as favored and thinks that she deserves this nomination and that it's her seat already.

Ivor,

I'm actually surprised by your comments. We were at the same event. Guess I didn't see what you saw, hear what you heard, or have the same expectations.

I came away with a more favorable impression of Hillary Clinton after seeing her live.

I felt the same way after seeing Obama.

These are two very bright people that are working VERY hard. They both have tremendous assets.

Neither would have been my first choices, but now that they are the ONLY choices (IMHO), I can be at peace with either.


Steve


P.S. What about "rock star" photographers?

Your photos from the past week have given us a unique view of the candidates and the process. Keep up the good work.


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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Stephen,

I like both as well. That's the dilemma. I think Obama has a bright future, and his time will come. Right now, we need someone that knows the system, knows all the leaders worldwide, and isn't a gamble based on experience, and can get things done.

Jeeze I sound like I'm in the campaign. But really, Barack's time will come. Hilllary for 8, Barack for 8. Or if Hillary was the President, and Barack the Vice President.

Now that I think about it, and after reading your post about having different expectations, I think you are right. When I saw Bill, that was simply amazing. When I saw Hillary, I was expecting a bit of Bill; only to be let down.

Off to school, I can't be late for english class!

[Mary Breiner]

Ivor,
I was there last night at Cleveland State to see Hillary. I had a totally different impression than you did. I was amazed at all the people there with their kids especially their young daughters and teenagers. I thought the crowd was just so exited to see her. I was near the end of the loop where she walked around signing autographs and taking pictures. I was thinking, wow she must be so tired from this long day and she is still so upbeat and energetic. She was very accommodating to the crowd, I thought. I left there happy and hopeful and feeling like I was a part of something big in our country's history. Like she said, she is applying for this job and all you need to do is look at her resume to see that she would make a great President of the United States. She is talented, smart, tough and willing to work hard. I think we need to give her that chance.

Thanks, Mary Breiner

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Mary,

I saw you in the crowd before you slipped away.
While I thought the same thing too, man she must be tired, I also thought "man, she's crabby today".

But the event was nice. After a week of listening to speeches, this whole "being a part of history" thing has gone away for me, personally.

When the cameras are off, these candidates are people just like us. I didn't faint when she walked in the room and I didn't bite at everything she had to say. I've watched too much on this election and now can see the faults of every candidate and how disappointing history might be this time around.

I guess when you look at it from a point of view like mine, you think to yourself "wait, I could've told you years ago to invest in green energy and jobs, or demand universal health care, or make college affordable" because the reality is that the rest of the world has been doing this already for decades.

I guess I just wasn't star struck like I was when I saw Bill speak. Hillary or Obama don't have as much influence as Bill.

I think we'll be well off if we had Hillary in office and Obama as vice president. His time will come soon.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Hillary or Obama don't have that much influence.

Ivor


I am not so sure.

I have this feeling she was able to get "the leader of the free world" on his knees begging forgiveness.


FWIW


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[Joe Ott]

Ivor,

Glad to see you are linking your shots directly in your threads.
It's easier to view.

[ryan costa]

did she apologize for NAFTA and the WTO?

[Heidi Hilty]

no, she did not.

also, i believe that anyone who thinks that barack obama would be her vp is mistaken.

disclaimer: i have already declared for obama in a previous thread.

[Jim O'Bryan]

did she apologize for NAFTA and the WTO?

no, she did not.

I am not sure how much she needs to apologize for.

However the first 5 minutes was about NAFTA and changes she would make or pull out.

FWIW


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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Heidi,

I've been for Barack for over a year now.

The thing that started to raise my awareness is that he and Hillary have the same stance on NAFTA. Also that his politics is sounding a lot like old washington politics as this thing goes on.

It all happened when he choked at the CSU debate last tuesday.

He still has my vote but I can see why so many people support Hillary. Up until Tuesday before the debate (when I rolled down my window and cursed at a guy who cut me off on E.22nd and happened to have a Hillary sticker on his car) I disliked her very much. I think she has great ideas, especially for the economy. So I wouldn't be surprised is she ends up getting elected. And I wouldn't be surprised if she took Obama under her wing, either.

McCain has a lot of baggage since he's been in the senate for what, 80 years now? Last summer I thought he was a Democrat with the things he was saying. It won't take much for the Democrats to defeat him, all they have to do is google his TV appearances up to the night where he unofficially announced that he's running on Letterman.

[ryan costa]

did she apologize for NAFTA and the WTO?

no, she did not.

I am not sure how much she needs to apologize for.

However the first 5 minutes was about NAFTA and changes she would make or pull out.

FWIW


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She was co-president with Clinton 1 when NAFTA and the WTO were created. They must have not anticipated all the tax loopholes that would encourage American companies to close up shop here and build new factories in Mexico. it was an honest mistake! "Oops 2008!"