Former President Clinton makes case for future President Clinton

MOUNT VERNON — Former President Bill Clinton doesn't think it's a close question when it comes to deciding which candidate will be the best president to restore broad-based prosperity and inclusive politics.

The former president made the case at Cornell College in Mount Vernon Thursday that it is his wife, Hillary Clinton, who is best-prepared to take up the challenge of putting people to work, raising incomes, modernizing the military and developing an inclusive foreign policy — all while bringing together Democrats and Republicans to make it happen.

'It's important to elect a change-maker,' Clinton said.

He encouraged his audience to elect a president who 'can stand their ground and find common ground.'

Clinton had his work cut out for him because his wife wasn't the first choice of several of the college students — many who were in preschool when he left the White House in 2001. Some said they were more interested in the former President Clinton than the potential President Clinton even though his presidency is a vague memory.

For 18-year-old Alex Salisbury, a freshman from Iowa City, his first political memory was the 2000 Bush-Gore recount.

'But my parents were huge supporters' of the president, Salisbury added.

Robin Bulger also remembers hearing her parents talk about Clinton, 'but I'm not supporting Hillary,'

'He's not just a historical figure like Reagan,' the Cornell junior from Santé Fe, N.M., said.

'More like an admired figure,' Salisbury added. 'Like an uncle who gives you advice.'

Jacob Kvale, a junior from Decorah, 'likes Bernie a lot,' but attended 'to hear what Bill has to say about Hillary.' Kvale admires what President Clinton accomplished while in the White House.

Salisbury agreed he was a 'great president.'

'I love Bill, but I'm not a great fan of Hillary,' he said, adding that he plans to caucus for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Bryan Walsh is a Hillary Clinton fan. A senior from Waukee and a Hillary for Iowa campaign fellow, he said Hillary Clinton will ensure that younger Iowans and younger Americans 'can have the same opportunities I did.'

He emphasized the former first lady's call for treating each other with more love and kindness.

'I can't think of a better place for the nation to learn about it than right here in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon community,' Walsh said as he called on fellow students to join him.

'Together we can make history and shatter some glass ceilings,' he said.