Clinton, Obama camps view Youngstown area as key to victory

Published:Thursday, February 21, 2008

Both candidates chose to unveil details of their economic recovery plans here.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley stands as something of a test case for the Democratic presidential campaign in Ohio.

Both the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama camps said they see it as a key area they need to win, and to underscore that sentiment, both candidates kicked off their Ohio campaigns here.

“What you’re seeing in this campaign is Youngstown is a critically important region in this election,” said Isaac Baker, a Clinton spokesman. “I think that tells you just how important the Mahoning Valley is to Ohio and this race.”

“It’s a core Democrat region of the state with a base of voters who have been faithful to the Democratic Party,” said Ben Labolt, an Obama spokesman.

Obama chose to launch his Ohio bid here to talk about his proposals for bringing back good-paying jobs to the Mahoning Valley, Labolt said. It’s an area hit hard with job losses and economic problems and a good place for Obama to announce his plans, he added.

Youngstown faces all the economic challenges that the whole state and country face, Baker said. If the candidate can convince the people here that she has the concrete solutions to those issues, she can convince the rest of the country, he said.

Both Valley campaigns started at local manufacturing facilities — Clinton at the GM Lordstown Complex on Thursday and Obama at RMI Titanium in Niles on Monday — where the candidates first went face to face with employees and executives of companies that have survived the region’s economic downturn.

Obama then moved to Youngstown State University on Monday afternoon, drawing 6,400 supporters for a rally at Beeghly Center.

Clinton came back to the Valley on Tuesday evening with a rally at Chaney High School.

Holding rallies at school and college venues isn’t just a coincidence.

“Our campaign has mobilized a new generation of Americans to get involved with the political process, and we aren’t taking young voters for granted,” Labolt said, explaining a key reasons for seeking out college locations.

Young people in record numbers are getting involved in this year’s campaign, Baker said. They’re familiar with the school and college settings, which makes those venues attractive, he said.

Added to that is the fact that those locations have buildings that can accommodate the most people and are natural community meeting places, according to both campaigns.

gwin@vindy.com