Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton stops at Kent State

With less than a week to go until the election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is making a final push to sway voters in her favor.

She spoke before a crowd of 2,900 Monday at Kent State University, urging voters to cast their early ballot before election day.

Clinton focused on national security, claiming that if Trump were elected, national security would be at risk.

“I wonder if he knows that a singular nuclear warhead can kill millions of people,” Clinton said. “As I have said many times, a man you can bait with a tweet is a man we cannot trust with nuclear weapons.”

Clinton said Trump loses his cool easily and does not handle being questioned well.

“Imagine him plunging us into a war because somebody got under his very thin skin,” Clinton said. “Thankfully he has never been in a position where he has had to make life or death decisions for our country.”

Clinton touched on September 11, 2001 when thousands of people lost their lives in a terrorist attack in New York City. She said it was upsetting that Trump called into a television show in New York and told them a building he owns in New York is now the tallest in the city because the Twin Towers had fallen.

“What kind of person brags at a moment like that,” Clinton said. “I will tell you, someone who should never step foot in the oval office and serve as commander in chief. “

The day before her appearance, FBI director James Comey released a statement that the bureau would be reopening Clinton’s case due to new evidence potentially related to her email scandal.

Clinton dropped in the polls upon the release of that statement and criticized Comey for the vague claims and timing of the release.

“I’m sure a lot of you may be asking what this new email story is about and why in the world the FBI would decide to jump into an election with no evidence of wrongdoing with just days to go,” Clinton said.

HRC Rally from Lauren Rathmell on Vimeo.

 

REACTION

Noor Hindi, a senior English student at the University of Akron said it was good to see younger people like herself involved and be a part of a political movement.

“Being around so many supporters and being part of that energy and enthusiasm was gripping,” Hindi said. “This election is extremely critical and I think everyone needs to be involved, so much is at stake.”

Hindi said she feels many rights are on the line including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, and Allied rights along with religious and women’s rights.

“To not get involved, to feel hopeless and believe that your vote doesn’t matter is not beneficial to the foundations of this country or our progress,” Hindi said. “No matter what side you’re on, it’s important to get out and vote.”

There were some protesters at the event, including two Medina residents holding signs outside of the building.

For Kent State senior Biology student Olivia Mullen this election comes down to basic human morals and picking the right commander in chief to keep strong allied forces.

“We need a commander in chief who will lead us into the future and not take us back to the stone age where women’s voices are suppressed,” Mullen said. “This is even more important because of the supreme court vacancies. The people appointed will have the power to mold the country for the next 20 years.”

Judy Lin, senior political science major said this election is so critical because she wants someone who has the knowledge to help guide the country through tough times and bring the country together as a whole.

“I wouldn’t want a president that can get so angry so quickly and is hated by most of the world leaders,” Lin said. “If Donald Trump becomes president, that’s not going to happen. We will lose the respect we have built up.”

100s lining up to see Hillary Clinton at Kent State pic.twitter.com/KnE6qPgisn

— Eric Poston (@ericposton) October 31, 2016

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at Kent State University, urges early voting. https://t.co/Ug3IiSVp84 pic.twitter.com/1o3mSFlBqR

— Kyle Marie Dawson (@KyleMarieDawson) November 16, 2016