Neal Rallies Support For Clinton Campaign in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is hoping the Democratic presidential primary is "put to bed" on Super Tuesday with Hillary Clinton sealing up the nomination.
The congressman joined local supporters in Clinton's Pittsfield campaign field office Saturday to rally support for the former secretary of state. Clinton is going up against Vermont's U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in seeking the nomination.
"We have a change to elect one of the most accomplished women in the world. I've known her forever and I've known Bill Clinton. A reminder: 23 million jobs, four balanced budgets, economic growth that surpassed 100 percent in some quarters, African-American incomes went up, incomes for poor people went up, the only time since the end of World War 2 that's happened," Neal said.
Neal says he believes Clinton is the one who can cut through the polarized Congress to accomplish things. He expects Clinton to win South Carolina today (Saturday) and then seal up the nomination on Super Tuesday, March 1.
"We need a big victory again in Massachusetts on her behalf. This has been pretty friendly terrain for the Clintons over the years," Neal said.
Neal was joined by state Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and William "Smitty" Pignatelli on Saturday to rally support. State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and state Sen. Benjamin Downing are also both supporting Clinton, meaning the entire Berkshire delegation except for state Rep. Paul Mark is behind Clinton. Mark is supporting Sanders and provided the introductory remarks at Sanders' speaking event in Amherst last week.
For Pignatelli and Farley-Bouvier, it is Clinton's experience, including being first lady for eight years before being elected U.S. senator from New York, that stands out for them.
"She's best suited to be the next president of the United States," Pignatelli said.
The elected officials were joined by former Mayor Daniel Bianchi, City Councilors Donna Todd Rivers and Melissa Mazzeo, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Registrar of Deeds Patsy Harris.
"We really believe that Hillary is going to win Pittsfield, going to win Berkshire County, and going to win Massachusetts, and be our next president," Farley-Bouvier said.
Farley-Bouvier said Clinton will provide the tools needed to clean the Housatonic River, bring more jobs to the area, and implement an energy policy to resolve the proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline debate. Further, she says Clinton's foreign policy knowledge is important in today's world.
"This world is a little scary and I have confidence, I trust that Hilary Clinton can lead us and make us safe in this world," she said.
Farley-Bouvier read a letter from Mayor Linda Tyer, who is also supporting Clinton.
"Hilary Clinton needs to run the table on Super Tuesday. If she does that, this thing is over with and we can start getting ourselves organized and focusing in on the convention and November," Pignatelli said.
Tags: election 2016, president, primary,
