A fight to the finish in Ohio
PARMA HEIGHTS, OHIO -- Barack Obama blasted Hillary Clinton for failing to pass universal health care in the 1990s, while the former president painted his wife as a warm-hearted change agent during rallies Saturday near Cleveland.
"Sen. Clinton keeps talking about experience; well one of the experiences I have is listening to people," Obama said, alluding to the former first lady's secrecy during her health care push in the Clinton White House.
As the clock ticks toward Tuesday's elections in Ohio, the candidates are ratcheting up their intensity and angling for every vote as they rally the troops during a dizzying schedule of campaign stops across the Buckeye State.
More Coverage Campaign journals Joseph Ryan from Ohio:The soundtrack of change style="float:left; padding: 0 6px 0 6px" /> David Beery from Texas: Texas key thanks to legislative gridlock Stories Eyes will be on racial divide in Buckeye State [03/02/08] A fight to the finish in Ohio [03/02/08] No matter the choice, Texas voter turnout huge [03/02/08] In Ohio, the unions count [03/01/08] Texas Twist: State is #8230; complex [03/01/08] What makes the March 4 primary states tick [02/29/08] Clinton campaign raises concerns about Texas caucus [02/29/08] Video Ohio Voters Look for Economic Miracle Much of the rhetoric in Ohio has focused on economic issues -- the state is struggling with high unemployment -- but the candidates also are taking care to hit other hot-button issues, like the Iraq war, health care and immigration.At a rally near Cleveland earlier in the day, former President Bill Clinton took jabs at Obama's health care plan, which doesn't mandate coverage like his wife's."You will never get control of the costs until you get to universal coverage," he said to the cheers of several hundred supporters in a high school gymnasium.But Bill Clinton also painted a compassionate picture of Hillary."You have to pick someone who won't forget the look in your eyes -- and she won't," he said, referring to the economic problems in Ohio. "She will never abandon you."Hillary Clinton is scheduled to make several campaign stops in Ohio today. She has been ahead in the polls, but the gap has been narrowing.Meanwhile, Obama tried Saturday to rebuke the Clinton campaign's strategy to portray him as short on experience as he is powerful in his speeches."Don't let the cynics tell you, 'No, we can't,'" he said, bringing more than a thousand supporters to their feet in a high school auditorium.