Obama will win contest, Hillary tells Utah fans

WEST VALLEY CITY — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton thrilled many of her Utah supporters Saturday in a lively speech at West Valley's Cultural Celebration Center, an event that raised about $50,000 for the Utah Democratic Party.

While Clinton's audience stood and cheered the former Democratic presidential candidate, Clinton had another goal in her Utah visit: a $10,000-per-person fundraiser for her presidential campaign — still millions of dollars in debt — in Park City earlier in the day.

Those hearing Clinton in West Valley were glad to see her — and hear some encouraging words for Democrats in Utah, one of the most Republican states in the nation.

"It is a fact, John McCain will win Utah," Clinton, D-N.Y., said to a smattering of "boos."

"But I have some very good news: Barack Obama will win the White House. He's competing in the West. And by his second term, he's going to win Utah, too," she said to loud cheers from the approximately 1,000 people who paid $50 a head ($250 for seats up front).

Clinton went through a litany of what she believes are mistakes by the Bush administration and national Republicans. Two years ago, she said, Democrats were warning of the housing and mortgage crisis, worried about middle-class families "who were invisible to George Bush and John McCain."

But Bush, McCain and Republicans did nothing. Then, said Clinton, when Wall Street began to fall, Republicans "couldn't act fast enough."

"They wanted to bail out the big banks, bail out the big insurance companies. What about the millions who have lost their jobs, their homes? Who is going to bail them out? It is time to start paying attention to working families," she said.

A lot of people are talking about politics today, she said. "They are asking, 'Who are you for?' That is not the right question. The question is, 'Who is for you? Who is for your family, your education, your health care? Who will reach out to the rest of the world during these crises?"'

She said she knows that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are for you. "And that is why I am for them," said Clinton.

"I'm proud to be with Utah Democrats, you are a hardy brand," she joked. A few years ago, Utah Democrats may have been near designation as an endangered species. No more. "You've come back. You know how to fight, win and overcome the odds. You never give up. And I don't either — that's why I admire you."

Camille Robinson of Taylorsville was one cheering Clinton during the 20-minute speech.