March 31, 2008
Posted: 04:36 PM ET
 Clinton campaigned in Pennsylvania Monday.
Clinton campaigned in Pennsylvania Monday.

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (CNN) – Despite the spitting rain and the chilly weather, Hillary Clinton lingered in a parking lot in Pennsylvania Monday before a campaign event to speak to a group of about two dozen truckers who had gathered to protest the effect of rising gas prices on their industry.

Clinton was set to host an afternoon economic roundtable at the Capital Diner here, but when Clinton’s campaign plane landed in Harrisburg, her campaign learned from her advance staff about the small but vocal demonstration being held at the diner.

The New York senator hustled out of her motorcade of SUVs on arriving to chat for several minutes with the truckers, who voiced concerns about fuel costs. As passing big rigs honked, some truckers told Clinton they were being blamed by retailers for the rising costs of trucking, a problem they said was owed to high gas prices.

Clinton listened intently and then spoke about the need for the next president to focus on working families and alternative energies. She also promised to combat price gouging and examine the possibility of regulating oil markets.

Two of the truck drivers, named Mark and J.B., were invited to join her economic roundtable inside the diner, where Clinton praised them for voicing their discontent.

“I want to thank Mark and J.B. because they are doing what Americans do,” Clinton said, concluding the roundtable. “When you finally get pushed to the end of the rope you have to stand up and say enough. And that’s what this election should be about.”

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


S. Shay   March 31st, 2008 5:40 pm ET

I suppose Barack Obama's decision to bowl and milk a baby calf had nothing to do with Hillary's decision to stand out in the cold and talk to some truckers…

Next.

zina   March 31st, 2008 5:43 pm ET

This is why we need a democrat back in the White House. I commend Sen. Clinton for doing this.

Let's unite, Democrats.

Obama '08

Guy   March 31st, 2008 5:45 pm ET

Hillary stood in chilling rain and cold weather?? Watch out, she's say it was a mortar attack at some point.

Sharon   March 31st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

One main reasons for the high gas prices is the Iraq war!
Who voted with Bush to start it?
Who along with her husband pushed through NAFTA just like Bush pushed through the call for the Iraq war?
The answer (Clinton) to these questions is not the best candidate for America.
Obama 2008 - The candidate for all of America!

white old lady   March 31st, 2008 5:48 pm ET

DID HILLARY EXPLAIN TO THE TRUCKERS THE IRAQ WAR SHE

VOTED FOR IS COSTING THEM THE EXTRA $ 2 FOR GAS AS WELL

A LOT OF OUR JOBS, I AM SURE NOT.

nina   March 31st, 2008 5:49 pm ET

Hillary is the only one who can make a difference for people who are having difficult time with the economic situation we are facing , she is sticking to the issues no matter what the media is saying , they are all applauding over Obama bowling and drinking beer, that's pitiful.

Mike   March 31st, 2008 5:50 pm ET

Wow, talk about personable. She obviously cares. She's not bowling. She's making a detour in the rain, and actually listening. THIS is what a presidential candidate SHOULD be doing. I hope she does it more often.

J. McCaskill, MS   March 31st, 2008 5:51 pm ET

Hillary Clinton, a proven leader.

Hillary/McCain '08′

cie   March 31st, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Why didn't Billary tell them what she can do now as a Senator to help with diesel prices. She always talks in the future and dangles a carrot knowing she won't do anything after elected. More symbolism over substance.

teresa c   March 31st, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Talk about change…. well and speaking of hope, yes HOPE Hillary has defined that word.. she is still here and shows hope of winning… I know the media will continue to make it hard on her, but some of us has come to know the truth

I love America   March 31st, 2008 5:52 pm ET

It's time for Senator Clinton to meet publicly with the mothers of Iraq war victims and see how they react to her "had I known what I know now" non-apology for her vote to authorize that war.

NickSan Diego   March 31st, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Careful Truckers… This Deadbeat will ask you for a ride and stiff you on the Gas!!! Ask Around!! She is BROKE!!

GranforObama   March 31st, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Hillary has NO clue as to what the Truckers have to go through to make a living !! She should be ashamed of her self trying to exploit them,, She has Never worked a Blue Collar Job in her life !! I hope they see Right through Her ! All she cares about is thier Vote !!! This Woman has no scruples or ethics…. I would say to the good folks in Pennsylvania , Do the right thing and Vote for Obama !!

Terry   March 31st, 2008 5:54 pm ET

With all these news, positive or negative, I am voting for her. She works many times harder. Her plan is better. I hate when ppl say she is lying, all politicians lie. She tries everything to get elected, it is true, that's how she can get the control and do things for people. Can't blame her for that. If you think any politician is honest, you have a problem!!!

Julia   March 31st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Despite the spitting SNIPER FIRE like rain….

georgie from pa   March 31st, 2008 5:56 pm ET

look at that, a candidate that cares about the average joe!! go hillary!

Thanks to Hillary the working man has a voice   March 31st, 2008 5:58 pm ET

HILLARY WE NEED YOUR VOICE !
DON"T GIVE UP HILLARY WE ARE WITH U, HILLARY 08!!

ariel   March 31st, 2008 5:58 pm ET

There's no question in my mind that a Obama/Clinton ticket is a non-starter. But that's not true of a Cabinet position.

Paul   March 31st, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Hillary, get some advice from these guys. After you wreck the Democratic Party you may be forced to find some other work. Truck driving fits you perfectly!!!!

ariel   March 31st, 2008 6:00 pm ET

PS. Is it just me or is Cindy Mc Cain hot?

Tim   March 31st, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Cough. Who cares. Truckers are inconsiderate drivers and pollute the environment.

clayton taylor   March 31st, 2008 6:01 pm ET

When will Hillary give a speech on race and race relations in America?

Tom   March 31st, 2008 6:03 pm ET

So how are Obama backers and the media going to twist this into a negative?

Tejano   March 31st, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Her husband allowed the Mexican Truckers to drive past the border towns. Why doesn't she tell them the truth. The Democrats all supported NAFTA. and the Teamsters got the shaft.

CHERYL   March 31st, 2008 6:05 pm ET

HILLARY HAS ALREADY PUT OUT AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN AND IS TRYING TO GET HELP FOR PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOUSES!

I KNOW THAT SHE REALLY WANTS TO HELP!

HILLARY HAS THE BRAINS AND THE TENACITY TO GO TO WORK AND NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!!

I RESPECT HER FOR THAT! I DO NOT KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE GUTS SHE HAS!!!!!!

WHEN HER AND BILL LEFT OFFICE THERE WAS A $250 BILLION SURPLUS!

WE CAN HAVE THIS AGAIN WITH HILLARY!!!!!!!

YOU GO GIRL WE ARE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!

CHERYL   March 31st, 2008 6:06 pm ET

I TRUST HILLARY TO FIX THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

Kevin   March 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Like Hillary knows anything about the plight of average Americans…I'm sure her comfortable life has taught her a lot about struggle.

Robu desu   March 31st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

A. T. A. C. = Angry Truckers Against Clinton!

Ratgurl   March 31st, 2008 6:09 pm ET

Boys, you might want to take that promise with a BIG boulder of salt. She can't even pay her staff, what makes you think she's gonna care about your exhorbitant gas bills?

Go HILL!!!!!   March 31st, 2008 6:13 pm ET

She will be one of the best presidents we've ever had…..She's a mom, she knows how to listen and solve problems……

Cangirl   March 31st, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Wow! Hillary really does care!

Lemmiwinks   March 31st, 2008 6:17 pm ET

er… uh… no.

Grif   March 31st, 2008 6:18 pm ET

Another Road to the "White House"..
Keep on Trucking Hillary….

Brian   March 31st, 2008 6:21 pm ET

If Bill was such a good president how come he didn't get our country off of oil????? You can't blame this solely on Bush!

Time for a change?

KOR   March 31st, 2008 6:26 pm ET

Good for Hillary! She doesn't run from any confrontation! I'm sure Obama would have gone somewhere and written a speech about the angry truckers he meets each and every day on the campaign trail….yada, yada, yada.

Diegito   March 31st, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Good Job, Senator Clinton.
Meet with real Americans. Listen to the problems of Real Americans.
Provide real American solutions.
I m tired of a president, who blame everything on Americans.
I m tired of an Administration, who doesn't even know … what goes on in real American families.

Diegito

CHERYL   March 31st, 2008 6:31 pm ET

MAYBE OBAMA WILL PICK REVEREND WRIGHT FOR HIS RUNNING MATE OR MAYBE TOM REZKO???????

HOW MANY OF YOU OBAMA FREAKS WOULD GO FOR THAT?????

HILLARY HAS IT ALL WRAPPED UP!!!!!!!

GO HILLARY GO!!!!!!

Michael   March 31st, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Go away Hillary.

George, Los Angeles   March 31st, 2008 6:43 pm ET

Typical - Clinton is doing real work, while Obama is making great speeches. Shows how fickle our country is. We do go for words over action. Please remember - we've already had 8 years of doom based on "words" and "inaction". Do we want to give us another 8 years of hell?

Hillary 2008!

An American in Canada   March 31st, 2008 6:45 pm ET

A FUTURE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE

BY THE PEOPLE

AND A PRESIDENT FOR THE PEOPLE!

HILLARY R. CLINTON 2009 PRESIDENT OF AMERICA.

NEED WE SAY MORE.

DNC COUNT FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN, DO NOT DISENFRANCHISE THESE TWO GREAT STATES…..

Speaks With A Fork   March 31st, 2008 6:46 pm ET

Watch your back truckers. She speaks with forked tongue.

Larry Kegel   March 31st, 2008 6:46 pm ET

It just shows… Hillary goes to the People about Their Problem… Obama talks about what he & His Family is doing… McCain talks about His what happen during the Vietnam War & His Family… The only one that has a clue whats going on is Hillary!!

Vince Los Angeles, CA   March 31st, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Oh please!!!! Talk about PANDERING!! Did she offer any real *solutions* to the problem? No…..ALL TALK!!

Nancy   March 31st, 2008 7:03 pm ET

It is nice to see a positive article on Hillary. CNN is usually only spinning the negative.

Pity   March 31st, 2008 7:08 pm ET

I sure hope these truckers didn't vote for a Republican in the last twenty years.

aware   March 31st, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Go Hillary - the only viable Dem. candidate! :)

Ex Obama Fan   March 31st, 2008 7:17 pm ET

Beats the heck out of basketball and bowling!!

Dem in CA   March 31st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

I really appreciate HRC ability to work with people and understand the issues. She is the people's candidate! A is a tireless servant to our nation and knows how to "Get r done!"

Go Hillary 08!

Mark B'ham, Al.   March 31st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Why would a trucker want to vote for a democrat. They are going to raise gas taxes and required this low sulfur diesel which have raised their fuel cost all in the name of Global Warming!

James   March 31st, 2008 7:20 pm ET

that's what you call a president.

Mike   March 31st, 2008 7:20 pm ET

Umm YEAH! Like Hillary cares about truckers. Or do they have a billion dollar lobbist that I am not aware of?

Peter in Canada   March 31st, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Regulated oil markets!!
Is she kidding?
Understand that when you import your oil and natural gas from foreign sources…that is an impossibility!
And y'all thought that this woman had the best Economic Plans…get serious! That whopper is right up there with the Bosnia story!

Sly in Seattle   March 31st, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Good job Hill, it's good you listen to protesters with real concerns.

OBAMA 08!

Joe   March 31st, 2008 7:29 pm ET

Hilary is heading for hell in a hand basket!

Toni   March 31st, 2008 7:34 pm ET

This is what I have been talking about.Hillary cares, and she would bring about important changes to this nation of ours.I only wish people would realize it and vote for her.We need Hillary in our corner.

Gnosticman   March 31st, 2008 7:34 pm ET

I am an Obama supporter but i have to say this is an impressive move for Hillary. I am glad both Obama and Clinton are back in the business of reaching out to voters instead of attacking each other needlessly.

tomdavie   March 31st, 2008 7:35 pm ET

In spite of the media , Kerry, Kennedy and Pelosi being against her, you have to notice her ability to really deal with issues. She really is a good lady. She would make an excellent president.

I believe that if Hillary had the same easy going personality that Bill has, she would have won the nomination by now.

Joel   March 31st, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Come on guys, we need comments!

Ted From Edmonton   March 31st, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Doesn't anyone get it?? Here's Hillary busting her butt sitting in the the cold and the rain talking to protesting truckers,,,Obama driving around Pennsylvania admitting he's taking it easy and saying that Pennsylvania isn't as important as Iowa.

Marc   March 31st, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Awesome. This IS what it should be about. I imagine her opponent would have just given those truckers and prepared, planned speech on race relations.

Karen Johnson   March 31st, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Once again, she'll say whatever people want to hear. She doesn't care 2 cents about these people, but for the photo op.

Jack   March 31st, 2008 7:50 pm ET

Her move is very presidential….

Imagine Barry Obama answering a question….. that's a joke!

jw, canadian,ok   March 31st, 2008 7:52 pm ET

Don't blame the truckers, blame big oil. I'd like to know what Exxon intends to do when the depression sets in next year.

Jay   March 31st, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Hillary clinton you understand what Americans need now. Not just the speeches, but actual solutions to American problems (Health Care and Economy).

Elizabeth, minnesota   March 31st, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Yes, enough is enough. Let's elect the nominee who has proven that "us small people" can rise up and change the nation (via small donations, historic primary turnout and history primary fundraising.)

Obama '08

v.ananthan   March 31st, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Hillary supporters won^t easily forget the media treatment of the Clintons and the way Obama supporters are treating the Clintons..

The race is not over yet and It^s up to Pennsylvania to give Hillary momentum !!!!!!!!!!

-Hillary, leader with solutions.

Jenny, TX   March 31st, 2008 7:56 pm ET

That is exactly what we are looking for from the next president of the United State. Hillary, keep fighting for us, and we, your supporters, will keep fighting for you.

Spirit of America   March 31st, 2008 7:57 pm ET

Without trucks and truckers, nothing moves in America. Without Hillary in the White House, nothing much will move either. Keep on truckin' Hillary!

Yes, DM again Arlington, TX   March 31st, 2008 7:58 pm ET

What about the Taxes, and where did Bill Clinton get those Millions$$$$$$$$? Why is Senator Clinton allow to break Campaign finance laws.

brian smith   March 31st, 2008 8:00 pm ET

If she really cared about working people, she would not have brought a big outsourcer from India into New York. And she also would not have written in her book that NAFTA was good for America.

Trev   March 31st, 2008 8:03 pm ET

Obama goes bowling, Clinton talks to hurting truckers in the rain. Now who would make the better president? If you said "The one who managed a 37," please try again.

Vig   March 31st, 2008 8:07 pm ET

Has Obama met with any disgruntled group or has he gotten his buttocks pampered at every stop? Clinton has more guts in her pinky then Obama has in his whole body.

mary   March 31st, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Clinton needs to be PRESIDENT!!

SJ Thornton   March 31st, 2008 8:15 pm ET

I can't understand how a blue collar worker would support someone who supported NAFTA. Wake up people. Do your research!

Rose from CT   March 31st, 2008 8:16 pm ET

They were not disgruntled truckers. They were concerned truckers because the cost of gasoline is of great concern. I was impressed as I watched the video streamed by CNN. You make it sound as though they were angry with Senator Clinton, not so. This is the fourth time I have posted a comment which miraculously disappeared.

T. Gettlefinger   March 31st, 2008 8:16 pm ET

. . . NAFTA was created by Bill Clinton and Hillary supported it. With
all of the job losses in Pennsylvania due to Nafta, I cannot support
Hillary Clinton. Voting for her would be like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving.

Very Concerned American   March 31st, 2008 8:18 pm ET

Obama is not qualified for this presidency.
Obama has double standards. He says he wants a clean campaign.
The only difference is he doesn't say things. He makes his surregates talk then he says he didn't know about it.

These guys, therse truckers, are going to see right through Obama.

SlapStick   March 31st, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Hmmmm sounds like she is playing the role of follower. Now all of a sudden Hillary is meeting with smaller groups like Barack did at the bowling alley. Say it Clintonites……………………Follower

P. Colbertson   March 31st, 2008 8:28 pm ET

. . . I don't blame the truckers and protesters. Hillary Clinton showing up is like Colonel Sanders coming to feed the chickens.

Jack Spraggs, PA   March 31st, 2008 8:31 pm ET

. . . .Can Pennsylvanians say NAFTA?

Illinois   March 31st, 2008 8:31 pm ET

I think it's actually pretty cool that she would stop to talk with these guys and then ask them to attend the event with her. That's even better than playing a basketball game with them because it actually addresses REAL issues.

Santiago   March 31st, 2008 8:31 pm ET

That is the President we need…Hillary, Hillary, Hillary! Is there a better candidate out there… of course not.

Hillary '08

Pro Pundit   March 31st, 2008 8:39 pm ET

Always the opportunist for a photo op moment…she reminds me more and more of President George Walker Bush.

James Greene   March 31st, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Look, I'm all for helping people as much as the next guy, But this is asinine.

The price of oil is completely market driven; the president has almost no control over it.

mike booth   March 31st, 2008 8:57 pm ET

i feel like the news media understand what truckers really go through out on the road. the genaral public and meadia only see and hear about the negative side of trucking. i feel the public has no idea of what we go through to get the goods to market . please respond michael

Fred   March 31st, 2008 9:00 pm ET

There anit a thing she can do for them. So what a waist of time truckers. Just a dog and pony show.

Steve   March 31st, 2008 9:01 pm ET

Watch out for snipers, Hillary!

Mad Black Woman   March 31st, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Good spontaneous move Hillary. She was willing to walk right up to angry protesting crowd. Tough….

jp/michigan   March 31st, 2008 9:10 pm ET

Hillary takes the time and has conversations will ordinary Americans and tries to offer the best solutions she can. Does Obama?

Bubba   March 31st, 2008 9:11 pm ET

That wasn't spitting rain…it was sniper fire, according to the psycopathic Hillary.

Matt   March 31st, 2008 9:17 pm ET

Obama would have either ignored them or given another speech. Good for Hillary. She's not afraid to put herself into a tense situation and actually answer tough questions unlike her opponent.

Christine Atlanta, Ga.   March 31st, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Clinton is out with the people talking about problems, Obama goes bowling for a photo op.

NEVER BAMA   March 31st, 2008 9:34 pm ET

Go Hillary. You are wise and care about the "people".
She's not afraid to take a stand, she's a "go getter", what this country needs.

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