Clinton courts middle class in Green Bay stop

GREEN BAY - Easing college debt and creating affordable health care and living wages drew large cheers for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Green Bay Tuesday, but perhaps the loudest applause came for her knockdown of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

"I will meet with anyone who wants to meet with me. We have to end the obstructionist politics like you have seen in Wisconsin," she said to a crowd of more than 800 at the Riverside Ballroom. She criticized the governor, who dropped out of the Republican race early, for siding with rich donors over workers and for cutting $250 million in funding for the University of Wisconsin System.

She also criticized Walker for what she called his anti-labor stance in a speech that praised Green Bay's strong manufacturing base.

Clinton took the stage shortly after 6 p.m. Security was tight at the event, with dozens of Green Bay police and federal Secret Service personnel in and around the building.

People lined up early to hear the former Secretary of State speak.

Emma Smidt, 14, and her mom Amy drove from Waupaca to see Clinton, arriving at about 10 a.m. They were first in a line that numbered about 50 at 2 p.m. and grew to about 200 by 3:30 p.m.

"We wanted to make sure we had the best spot," Emma Smidt said. "I want to get a selfie with her. She's a big role model for me. The opportunity to be the first female president in my lifetime is amazing."

Amy Smidt said she intends to vote for Clinton.

"She has great background and experience," she said.

Al Bryant of Green Bay showed up around noon, lawn chair and snacks in hand.

"I want to see her in person," he said. "I voted for her in 2008 and plan to vote for her again. I like Bernie (Sanders) but I don't think his ideas are realistic."

Not everyone was there in support, though.

"I am against someone who broke the law," said Wally Dueno of Manitowoc, who carried a sign saying "Remember Benghazi" before the rally. Heidi Radey of Manitowoc held a sign saying "Hillary for Prison."

They were among a handful of Clinton critics at the event.

"I think people forget what she did and how she lied," Dueno said. "What, it doesn't matter anymore?"

He said he isn't sure who he will vote for April 5.

"I just wanted to show there are people who don't support Hillary," Dueno said. "I wanted to show you can protest quietly and peacefully."

Clinton came on stage nearly an hour after she was scheduled. Attendees continued to trickle in until she spoke, filling an overflow area in back.

"I am very happy to be back in Green Bay, and to get a chance to talk to all of you about what's at stake for the American people in this election, but I think you know that," Clinton told the cheering crowd. "I really believe the American labor movement helped to create the American middle class, and I believe strongly we have to counterbalance the power of the economic interests in this country. That's why I'm so proud to have the endorsement of about 23 national unions, because I've always fought for them."

She continued a strong pro-labor stance.

"As your Secretary of State, I went to 112 countries for you, and among those countries I went to I saw what happened when people had no economic power," Clinton said. "They are exploited, mistreated, and I tell you there are folks in our country right now who are supporting Republicans who would like to see that in America, make no mistake about it, they are trying to do everything in their power they know to do to tear down the power of unions, of workers, in order to have their way with everyone.

"Your governor is one of those people who is dancing to that tune, right? The best way to stop that is to vote for people who are on your side."

Clinton also vowed to work to find ways to control both the costs of college and student debt, including a plan that would require students to work 10 hours a week and would provide ways for people to refinance student debt.

She admired Sanders' plan to provide free college, but called the plan unaffordable. She noted it would require states to chip in, and questioned whether conservative governors would go along at a time when they are trimming spending on education.

Clinton said she has a plan for defeating terrorists, taking a dig at other candidates.

"I plan to work with other countries, not alienate them or call them names," she said.

Her closing remarks included a call for creating a better world for children, including her grandchild, Charlotte.

"She is the granddaughter of a former president," Clinton said to crowd applause. "But I want every child in America to have the same opportunities she does."

Tina Geronimi and her wife, Elizett, stood way in the back of the room in the overflow section, but were glad they came.

"I love how she talked about the future," Tina Geronimi said. "In the Native American culture, they plan for the next six generations, so that is important to me. It's not for today, or just for myself, but for kids."

She also praised Clinton's call for unity and support for immigrants.

"We need to get over this big divide," Geronimi said. "This is America. I'm a first generation person here, the rest of you are immigrants. Get over it, it's a waste of energy."

Jose Rodriguez, 13, also enjoyed the experience.

"I learned a lot," the Green Bay Edison Middle School student said. "I liked how she talked about education and the chance to go to college."

Clinton will face Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, in Wisconsin's April 5 presidential primary.

Related: Sanders rips Wall Street influence, inequality

Related: Guide to candidate events in Wisconsin

zarling@pressgazette.com or follow her on Twitter @pgpattizarling