On campus: Hillary Clinton discusses Social Security with the crowd. During her speech, she vowed that, if elected, she would not privatize Social Security.

By Dylan Nice / Editor in chief

Hillary Clinton focused yesterday’s “Solutions for the American Economy” town hall event in Chambers Hall on Social Security and retirement savings options. The crowd there was more middle-aged than 20-something, but Clinton said she has ideas to benefit youth.

More specifically, they’ll save money and someday retire.

In front of a packed crowd of at least 1,300, Clinton discussed encouraging middle-class families to save under her American Retirement Accounts Plan, which offers 3.4 million Pennsylvania families up to $1,000 in matching tax to save. She said she also plans to protect Social Security against privatization.

“When I’m president, privatizing Social Security will be completely out of the question,” Clinton said. She said she was shocked to learn that Sen. John McCain supports a privatization plan similar to President Bush’s.

“Not only is McCain taking up President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq, he’s continuing his attack on Social Security,” Clinton said.

The senator was joined on stage by two Westmoreland married couples who voiced concerns about the state of the economy and financial safety nets.

Clinton said that Social Security provides the floor of support for many of the elderly and surviving children of parents who died while in the work force. She also talked of the need to provide better care for those members of the military returning from Iraq and those still experiencing the aftereffects of Vietnam.

“I know with my own generation, I’ve talked to a lot of veterans who have told me that the war in Iraq has triggered [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder],” Clinton said.

Clinton opened her comments with talk of her plan for withdrawal from Iraq. She said she met and spoke with Congressman John Murtha of Johnstown the night before about ending the President’s policy in Iraq.

“We need to stop giving the Iraqi government a blank check and start holding them accountable,” she said.

Clinton spoke to a packed house during her campaign visit to Pitt-Greensburg on March 25.

Clinton said part of her platform is to return “fiscal responsibility” to Washington. Many in attendance agreed the economy was the key issue of the campaign, and among those were many undecided or open-minded voters.

UPG graduate Meghan Tutolo is backing Clinton right now, largely because of the senator’s experience.

“I don’t like to think of myself as a definite [supporter],” Tutolo said. “I’m interested in what she has to say.”

Tutolo said her interests lie in the repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act because she plans on teaching someday. Clinton offered a plan for tuition debt-forgiveness for graduates who go into the public sector, like teachers and police.

Assistant professor of political science Paul Adams said Clinton’s economic plan could sway some Sen. Barack Obama supporters.

“It’s also a different experience to see someone up close in person than through the filter of the media too,” Adams said.

Ian Perrotta, president of Students for Peace and Justice, said he thought the biggest issue for young people is the fact there is no issue.

“And that’s where the apathy comes from,” Perrotta said. He added, “Hillary Clinton is just a candidate, but Barack Obama is a movement.” He said many young people see Clinton as just another vestige of Bush.

“I think Obama could do a better job,” said senior Chad Smith, “but maybe [Clinton] could prove me wrong.”

SGA senator Patrick Smith thinks Clinton is the more realistic candidate. SGA president-elect Sergey Blyakhor said he thought it was really important that Clinton stopped at UPG.

UPG President Sharon Smith shared Blaykhor’s sentiments, saying that she was delighted the Student Government and Phi Sigma Alpha sponsored the event.

“As a woman president, it is a delight to host a potential woman president on our campus,” Smith said. Smith announced the arrival of the senator, who was introduced by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

Clinton answered to questions from the audience and answered questions at a press conference following the event.

Staff writer Kristi Cummins contributed to this report.