Clinton's First Upstate NY Appearance Since Prez Campaign Suspended

Senator Hillary Clinton's Syracuse Green Speech in Syracuse, New York

Photo Credits: The Original Zerm.
Event date: Wednesday July 2, 2008
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The Original Zerm
SYRACUSE, NY

From the crowd's POV

After poaching a prime parking spot in front of Syracuse, New York’s Dinosaur BBQ, then picking up our breakfast of fresh baked peanut butter cookies and a cold Diet Dr. Pepper across the street at Mimi’s, we started our trek past the Clinton Square fountains, crossing Salina Street over to Hanover Square.

Wednesday July 2, 2008, was a pre-lunch eye-glazed-over hazy midsummer’s late morning with people freely mingling among a city square. Beneath the glad-handing and chatter there were two uncomfortable silences, at least to the seasoned locals.

Firstly, there was a heightened sense of security presence. Secondly, the focal point of square, namely its fountain, wasn’t gurgling.Today crowds would gather to hear New York’s Junior Senator Hillary Clinton.

This was her first stop in New York State after suspending her presidential campaign.

Clinton was joined by New York Governor David Paterson and Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll. The three met earlier at Syracuse City Hall.

Almost everything said at Hanover Square has been reported on. That is, everything except for the voices in the crowd.

Hanover Square’s bricked over access road was yellow caution taped-off on the sidewalk side to prevent the crowd from walking into the path of the large black SUV’s that served as the officials’ motorcade.

Many in the media jockeyed for position. Some producers waving their respective photo journalists over to a sweet spot after some initial file footage was shot.

During a short introduction at 10:17 am, people found their seats or quietly stood; some readying signs, cameras, or cell phones.

The air was mainly stagnant. Every slight breeze reminded us that Hanover Square is home to many exceptional area restaurants, pubs, and the hotdog vendor that set up just on the other side of the fountain. The pungent scent of grilled coneys slightly overpowered the background sweet smell of regular hots from that cart. Some in the crowd took note and briefly voiced their longing for one.Next, Syracuse Mayor Driscoll took the podium. With a backdrop behind him reading, “Syracuse: The Emerald City”, he spoke of the efforts of his administration and Syracuse-at-large toward bettering our environment. Driscoll introduced and thanked some of the political leaders present. He even got a laugh. In one of his intros, a minor gaff of introducing an assemblyman as an assemblywoman caused about a quarter of the gathered to take notice. With a quick recount of his words, he announced the assemblyman as “all man”. Most of audience laughed, some even clapped.

NY Governor David Paterson was up next.

Paterson praised the assembled leadership, with a nod to the many companies and agencies that are helping in the ongoing eco-efforts. Then it was Clinton’s turn.

Chants, wild clapping and more than a few hoots and hollers were heard.

As soon as NY Junior Senator began to speak, most in the crowd listened alertly. Some encircling the crowd shook their heads in agreement; a few did so mere half-seconds before the point being made was spoken, more just after each item mentioned. The rest of the crowd seemed somewhat attentive. "I'm very disturbed by the lack of leadership coming out of the White House and the difficulties we have in the Senate passing something over the Republican opposition because of our rules," Clinton said.

A few in the audience we overheard to voice things such as when or where to go to lunch, she (Clinton) got cheated, pronouncements of her various popularity and how to best get face-time with her after the presentation.

Clinton said, "We're going to have the biggest renewable energy cluster in the world right here in Syracuse." She also asserted that renewable energy investments in the Central New York region have already created ten thousand jobs.

During the speeches, a few in the crowd balked; murmuring discontent at the mentions of creating renewable energy investments while going after market speculators who are causing the price of a barrel of oil to skyrocket; expressing it ‘could be an expensive fight for taxpayers on two fronts.’

Clinton Works The Crowd: 
A "Guarded" Hillary Presses The Flesh

When the speeches were over, Clinton being guarded by G-men, showed one of her strengths. Hillary gleefully chatted with the crowd, effortlessly working the rope. She was hugging, signing autographs and taking time to even pose for a few photos. Then, at the line’s end she glided away from the roped-off crowd to a waiting circle of mostly Syracuse and a few of the Utica/Rome, NY press.

Hillary's Green Speech Exit

Lastly, the visit culminated with the crowd complying to clear the road (after being asked a few dozen times) just before the three black government SUV’s with “ethanol powered” labels in the windows slunk away into the oppressive muggy noon day air. A few local officials lingered and chatted with hangers-on as chairs were folded and stacked. I wonder if they ever got the fountain back on.

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The Original Zerm is a freelance writer based in Upstate New York.