Published: April 20, 2008 11:26 pm            

Hillary Clinton inspires supporters

Although she isn’t old enough to vote, Brittani Hileman of Westmont just had to see Hillary on Sunday.

While some visitors waited more than an hour to see former first lady and presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at Greater Johnstown High School, Hileman hurried out of the auditorium to hold a sign as the senator was rumored to be close.

“I think she is an inspiration,” the 13-year-old said. “She is showing us that women can do it, too. I really hope I get to meet her.”

Hileman got close, anyway.

While she held up a campaign sign, Clinton peeked out of a Suburban and waved to supporters waiting at the intersection of Central Avenue and Osborne Street. She passed a few feet in front of the Westmont girl.

“That was awesome,” Hileman shouted a couple times.

Catherine Timko of Johnstown carried a 10-inch Hillary doll into the auditorium with hopes of an autograph from the real-life version of Timko’s candidate of choice.

“My sister-in-law said it: We sisters have to stick together,” she said.

She did not point out particular issues that are important to her, but Timko said Americans need to support their leader and be thankful for the chance to vote.

“We should kiss this ground,” Timko said. “This is a blessed country. The soldiers are fighting so we can have this freedom.”

She gave a peek at the plastic Hillary doll she carried in a bag. It was a Christmas gift.

Her husband, also waiting to enter the auditorium, had a different view of Clinton. Nick Timko said Sen. John McCain will win his vote.

Programs such as Clinton and her Democratic opponent’s health-care proposals don’t have financial backing except through taxpayer money, he said.

“We don’t have money to give away,” Nick Timko said. “The federal budget is in a deficit.”

As Windber friends Pat DeBiase and Gail Gaio waited just outside the auditorium in a light drizzle, they recalled standing in the same spot on a frigid day, waiting for Bill Clinton.

Both said they have supported Hillary for president since before she announced she would run.

Gaio clutched a Sept. 18, 2006, copy of Time Magazine – featuring the results of a poll of the former first lady’s presidential chances. The publication asked readers: “Love her?” or “Hate her?”

Gaio pointed out her response, which was published as part of a collage of written feedback.

On yellow notebook paper, Gaio had written “Go Hillary” with three exclamation points – the magazine printed a depiction of Gaio’s encouragement.

Like Catherine Timko, she was hoping for an autograph.

“I have been for Hillary for two years,” Gaio said.

“We came to see Bill and we were hoping Hillary would be coming to town, too. I got my wish.”

Dave Rhoads of Somerset wanted to shake Clinton’s hand. He shook Bill Clinton’s hand in Somerset on Friday, Rhoads said with a beaming smile.

“I would like to see her in office for eight years,” Rhoads said. “Bill was the only one to take us out of the red. I think she could put us back in the black.”

Although Rhoads didn’t get his handshake on Sunday, his girlfriend got a T-shirt signed.

        

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