Vol.1, No.6
Penn State University, Brandywine
BILL AT BRAN DYWINE
By Christina Felizzi
Editor-in-chief
cf5050@psuedu
Chaos was expected on the rainy afternoon
of March 7th as students, friends, families, and locals
filtered in from the parking lot into the gymnasium
from about 10 am onward. A thick line of people
stretched from the gymnasium all the way into the
cafeteria. Red, white and blue signs were every-
where, and there was energy in the air, despite the
gloomy weather.
Former President William Jefferson Clinton
had come to Brandywine.
Clinton’s arrival to the Brandywine campus
was very last minute, decided the day before, but
attendance was not reflecting that. Students, faculty,
staff and local community members poured into the
Commons Building in anticipation of seeing the man
who could become the “First Husband of The United
States.”
Maggie McCarthy, student at Penn State
Brandywine, stated that she found out about Clin-
ton’s planned visit to the campus through her teach-
er’s email. Cinthya Quispe, another student, said she
came to campus that day just to see Clinton. Kraig
Schwerin, also a student at Brandywine, explained as
hundreds of spectators waited in line, “I just want to
hear his accent.”
Clinton’s Brandywine stop also attracted
national media attention. Reporters from CNN,
NBC, ABC, FOX News, Ridley Press, Town Talk,
and many others were in the crowd, broadcasting
live and interviewing those who were there, anx-
ously waiting for Clinton’s first words.
Also in the crowd were locals from the
greater Philadelphia area who are heavily involved
in politics. Democratic Chairman Rose Hitchens of
Ridley Park said that she had seen Clinton several
times, one time being at Clinton’s inauguration.
“An inauguration is a fabulous event, everyone
should go,” she said enthusiastically.
The gymnasium filled up quickly to its
maximum capacity, with all attendees ready and
waiting, cameras in hand. Music grew in volume,
restlessness increased, people stood and began clap-
ping. Then, at precisely 2:30pm, Former President Bill
Clinton entered onto the stage. “Hillary Clinton for Pres-
ident” signs flew upward, cheers of excitement echoed
throughout the room, and cameras flashed non-stop as
Congressman Joe Sestak gave a brief introduction.
Sestak reminded audiences of why Hillary Clinton is
needed in the White House as President.
“She has a vision, and better to have a captain of
understands and will follow that vision,” he said. He then
turned the microphone over to the former President.
It was universally expected that Clinton would be
promoting his wife’s campaign for the presidency, but
Clinton still displayed his impeccable oration skills to his
audience, always engaging with a hint of humor.
“So far, so good,” he opened with a grin and a
Photo courtesy of Brittany Neimeth
twinkle in his eye. The crowd laughed and cheered.
Clinton wasted no time in getting down to busi-
ness and told the crowd about all the work that Hillary
Clinton has done thus far. ;
“Things are going great. She has good people
helping her, but I have to say that, don’t I, because I'm
married to her,” remarked Clinton, getting some laughs
out of the audience
a Aube fds will get the ship inicnd with someone who
President Clinton spent the next 45 minutes
stumping on many key issues, such as prosperity, op-
portunity, and celebrated differences, that he, but more
importantly, Hillary, supports and believes in.
“She has the best solutions,” said Clinton, “and
she is the best qualified for the job. She wants things
equal and equality matters more for problems at home
because right now, prosperity is not shared, nor is
the responsibility.”
Along with the subject of the economy, Clin-
ton discussed issues of global warming and energy
efficiency. Texas is the number one wind energy
producer in the nation and Ohio is the number one
solar energy producer in the nation. Clinton then re-
minded us that the premier producers and consumers
of solar energy are actually located in a solar energy
plant in Germany. Using their ideas and prototypes
for a greener earth and meshing them into our own
states’ companies, Clinton explained that Hillary
wants to take advantage of these more efficient en-
ergy sources for many reasons — especially for more
efficient cars such as hybrids.
“We went to the moon first, so we can do this
too,” exclaimed Clinton to almost deafening cheers.
Then Clinton touched upon several Social issues that
are hot topics. He explained that Hillary is promot-
ing health care coverage for everyone, not only in
America, but in other countries as well and not just
basic health care for the masses, but affordable,
quality health care.
When it comes to public education, Clinton
mentioned that Hillary feels that the No Child Left
Behind Act needs to be re-worded.
“There is a gap that needs to be closed,” he
stated and cheers again arose from the crowd.
The War in Iraq and its economic toll was the big-
gest social issue that Clinton discussed.
“The troops in Iraq need to be brought home,”
he said seriously. “And there should be a more bal-
anced budget in this country as well.” The crowd
hung onto every word he said.
“We need to roll up our sleeves and work togeth-
er,” he emphasized and the “Hillary 08” signs shot
up into the air amid the cheering.
“You know this is a big election...we have to
‘turn this country around,” he told the crowd as he
readied to leave the stage. “But in the end, all that matters
is if people are better off after you started as President.”
With many thank you’s and goodbyes, Clinton
brought his speech to a close, but did take almost a half
hour to shake hands, take pictures, and sign autographs.
The Clintons will be making their way through the state
of Pennsylvania now through April 22, which is the date
of the Pennsylvania primary.
Nittany
L1on Joins Political Scene
Special to The Lion's Eye
Business was usual at the State Capitol on Janu-
ary 29th, 2008 as Governor Ed Rendell and lawmakers
took to the House floor. However, on this particular day
there was a special guest in the House: a replica of Penn
State’s own Nittany Lion.
Penn State Brandywine senior, Kim Hickey,
a corporate communications major from Drexel Hill,
recently traveled to the State Capitol where she had the
privilege to have the lion she painted herself signed by
numerous state politicians and lawmakers.
Kim says she was inspired to paint a lion the
moment she found out they were going to be auctioned
off for scholarship money. Penn State Brandywine’s
“Paint a Lion” project is part of the campus’ 40th An-
niversary Celebration.
“It’s such a great idea. Penn State is such a won-
derful school and painting a Nittany Lion seemed like
such a fun and easy way to raise money for such a good
cause,” says Kim.
The theme, ‘Pennsylvania Government,” was
chosen as a result of Kim’s love of politics. “Politics
has always been an interest of mine. With the upcoming
presidential election I decided on a political theme for my
lion,” she says. She painted the lion navy blue and yel-
low, the colors of Pennsylvania. A yellow keystone, our
. state symbol, is painted on each side. Kim was involved
in the entire planning process.
“I made arrangements before going but I wasn’t
exactly sure how my idea would be received. Once my
idea was approved I then brought the lion to the State
Senate. I had the opportunity to go to the Senate floor and
‘have all the Senators sign it. I was then invited to bring
the lion to the Governor’s office where Governor Rendell
took the time to sign it as well. Finally, before leaving, I
visited the House of Representatives where the lion was
once again signed by numerous politicians,” adds Kim.
Among the many signatures were Lieutenant
Governor Catherine Baker Knoll and Senator Dominic
Pileggi. The lion now sports between 100 and 150 state
representatives’ signatures in gold ink. Kim has named
her lion, “Al the Autographed Lion.”
Kim says everyone who signed the lion was
very receptive. They thought it was a great idea and were
thrilled to hear how it would benefit the Penn State Bran-
dywine Student Scholarship Fund.
“Every person who signed the lion was pleased
and thankful to be part of such a great project,” adds
Kim.