Former President Bill Clinton Speaks at UC Davis

Thousands of UCD students and Davis community members may have witnessed this first hand, but Former President Bill Clinton’s visit to the UCD campus is definitely worth a mention. Thousands waited during the morning hours to hear President Clinton and the four local Democratic Congressmen he was supporting: Jose Hernandez, Dr. Ami Bera, Jerry McNearney, and John Garamendi.

The excitement was palpable whenever the bleachers full of people behind the empty podium moved as someone came to mount the stage. Of course no one ever starts speeches on time, and though the rally got off to a late start, you could feel the energy; students seemed to forget that they were carrying heavy backpacks (or even skipping class), in some cases for hours (yours truly), because of the hope of seeing President Clinton.

President Clinton takes a photo with UCD student Oscar Duenas. (Photo courtesy of Oscar Duenas.)

He did not disappoint. All four Congress-hopefuls hyped him—but Bill Clinton rarely needs an introduction. He spoke eloquently and gave a rendition of his now popular “Arithmetic” speech. Being on a college campus, some of the most popular topics (and the ones with the most plaudits) were on stopping tuition hikes, keeping loan interest rates low, and, a big one, women’s rights and health. There was no shortage of female students and voters in the crowd who made it obvious where they stand in the political debate on women’s rights.

Clinton is a Democrat and so it goes without saying for most what he stands for—I do not need to slam you, my reader, with his policies. I will say, however, that one of his main messages hits home for everyone: Go out and vote. If you are a Democrat for Obama, a Republican for Romney, any

voter—you need to vote! Not voting is giving up your innate right as an American citizen. Not only this, but you are forfeiting your say in our country’s future.

It is of extreme importance that, no matter how you are to vote, you do it. Make your voice heard. And don’t just take President Clinton’s word for it—the 2012 elections are a paramount decision. How will you decide?