'Berkshires for Hillary' Campaign Kicks Off
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| Mayor James M. Ruberto applauded presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton for her dedication to the city during a rally on Sunday night. |
"We need a proven executive from Day One, someone who has weathered every storm that can be weathered in a political career, someone who has the depth of knowledge, not only of the economy but of how to help us and lead us to get respect throughout the world - the respect we have forfeited these last six years. We need Hillary Clinton," said Mayor James M. Ruberto on Sunday in a brief speech to dozens of the New York senator's Berkshire County supporters.
A rally to announce the creation of "Berkshires for Hillary" campaign drew a crowd to American Legion Post 68 to hear local lawmakers and Democrats detail their reasons for supporting the candidate they called the "most experienced and the most qualified."
Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, has been a loud public champion for Clinton, and his admiration for her comes from her unique talents. While other candidates were "trying to out-macho each other," the former first lady is an expert in diplomacy, Bosley said.
"While everyone else is arguing about what to do in Iraq, she's not only got a plan, she has another plan for when the soldiers come back," he said.
Bosley also noted that Clinton's tough exterior masked a truly altruistic and compassionate nature.
"She may not be the best talker but she's got the most passion. She's very passionate about the need to help people and she believes it's the role of the government to do that and she believes being the president will help her help more people," he said.
<L2>Though those in attendance were predominantly female, event organizer and former Register of Deeds Mary O'Brien said she expected more men to come out to support Clinton, regardless of her gender.
"When I look around, I see 'Women for Hillary' signs. Well, I'm a man for Hillary and I hope and believe that more men will award Hillary their vote," said Ruberto.
"It takes more than an X-chromosome for me to support someone for president. I want the best-prepared person to be president of the United States. I don't need to vote to make history. History has already been made and a woman is one of the top two candidates for the presidency," said former City Councilor Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
Bosley and Rep. Christopher Speranzo, D-Pittsfield, also recounted Clinton's 1998 trip to the city as part of her "Save America's Treasures" tour. Her recognition of the potential of the Colonial theater helped the city secure future funding for the project and foreshadowed the kind of attention she'd pay to small communities across the United States if elected president.
"I want a president who can look from his or her window - and it'll be her window - and see a community like Pittsfield," said Speranzo.
O'Brien and Farley-Bouvier urged Clinton supporters in the county to follow a three-point action plan as part of the Berkshires for Hillary campaign.
In addition to letters to the editor and standouts (the first of which is scheduled in the city for Feb. 4), Farley-Bouvier said she wants each person to identify five other people to get to the polls.
"Every one of you can do this," she said.
Even with Obama endorsements from Gov. Deval Patrick and both of the state's U.S. senators, Bosley said he had faith in the state's support in Clinton.
"I want to win Berkshire County. I want to win Massachusetts. And I want all of us to work very hard to win the United States," he said.
Those who would like more information about helping with the Clinton campaign can contact Mary O'Brien at mobdeeds@aol.com.
