Hillary Clinton makes stop at Johnston’s Atwood Grill

By Tim Forsberg
Posted 4/26/16

For a brief time Saturday evening, the nation’s political spotlight turned to the Atwood Grill in Johnston, where Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a surprise campaign …

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Hillary Clinton makes stop at Johnston’s Atwood Grill

Posted

For a brief time Saturday evening, the nation’s political spotlight turned to the Atwood Grill in Johnston, where Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a surprise campaign stop.

Coming from a rally at the Central Falls High School, where she delivered a speech focused on job training, higher wages, equal pay for women, and the state’s economic standing, the former secretary of state’s stop at the restaurant set a lighter tone as she greeted patrons, posed for pictures, shook hands and signed autographs.

“It’s great to be back,” Clinton, who had also stopped at the eatery during her last run for the Oval Office in 2008, said as she entered. “I’d appreciate your support during the primary on Tuesday.”

Clinton won the state’s presidential primary eight years ago, receiving 108,949 votes to then-Sen. Barack Obama’s 75,316. She won Johnston that year by a large margin, receiving 5,029 votes to Obama’s 1,540. This year, she faces a strong challenge from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, with polls showing a close race in the Ocean State.

“I thought the visit was fabulous, it was great for the town, and I think that Johnston is Hillary country, it really is,” Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena said. “The people really love Hillary here. She’s going to make a great president, and we’re looking forward to her becoming our president. I think people want to hear solutions, and I’ve been hearing all solutions coming out of Hillary’s mouth of what she wants to do…If I could vote 10 times, she’d have 10 votes.”

Other state and local officials on hand for the event were also quick to throw their support behind Clinton.

“I thought that Secretary Clinton had an outstanding visit in Rhode Island today; she got the warm reception that I expected she’d get. I know she enjoyed coming back to Rhode Island, and when I greeted her in Central Falls and again here in Johnston I said, ‘Welcome back to Clinton Country,’” said U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin. “I’m proud of the way that the Democratic candidates have conducted themselves, despite their differences on some of the issues. They have kept it above the fray and have stuck to the issues. On the Republican side, I think it’s brought presidential politics to a new low, not much to be proud of over there on that side.”

Johnston state Rep. Stephen Ucci agreed.

“She just has so much energy, and she wants to do so much for the people of the United States, especially people in Rhode Island,” Ucci said. “When you look at the candidates, you can listen to the sound bites, but at the end of the day, if you look at who my constituents are, and if you want to help the average working man and woman, the choice is Hillary Clinton and it’s very easy to support her.”

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  • Laurie

    Great picture! Everything looks like it is going her way. But, this morning, while Hill is having her coffee she is saying "Dam RI." Trump took 5 and they spoiled it for me. Time for retribution! I can picture Hill in the White House getting a call from Sen. Reed for a favor. " Hmmm" Hill might say "You could not even deliver me your state and made me look like a fool and you want what???" Our Sen. and Reps. are obviously not in touch with what the people want and how they are suffering. You have to be really beaten down to want socialism. The vote last night proves that this state is really beaten down. Maybe our elected officials should worry the next time they run. Seems the silent majority is ready to speak up! Just remember, we did not support Obama 8 years ago, and where has it gotten us. Ignored! Clinton's promises are desperation promises. She knows she has followed 8 years of "No Hope and Change" or to be fair "Some hope and Change." People need good jobs. The trickle down from a working population will take care of everything else ie schools, public services, military etc. Hilliary knows this, but, she did not get her message to the public because she spent one night at a small high school and a local eatery and her hubby hopped over to Woonsocket on Monday and an earlier visit to CCRI that totally pailed in comparison to Bernie Sanders 7,000 citizen rally at Roger Wms. Park. Oh, did I forget the $1000.00 luncheon Hill's daughter gave in downtown Providence months ago. Really? I never got a flyer, phone call, mailing or knock on my door from her people. She just rode on a sense of entitlment. Our local leaders are just running around with blinders on.

    Wednesday, April 27, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Laurie,

    Our local "leaders" have a sense of entitlement too.

    Time for the voters to show these bums who gives them their plush jobs.

    Thursday, April 28, 2016 Report this