Pocono News Section

Hillary Clinton Rally at Scranton High School

Hillary Clinton Rally at Scranton High School - Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:42PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008 @12:42am EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- The campaigning for the Pennsylvania Primary officially kicked off in Scranton Monday with Hillary Clinton holding a big rally at Scranton High School where thousands gathered to hear her speak.

But far from the roar of the crowd, the cheering, the signs and the music, Hillary Clinton told us about Pennsylvania. “People call things out to me. ‘I'm from Tunkhannock, I'm from Lake Winola.’ I said this before, Pennsylvania is like a second home to me and it really is,” said Clinton.

Her campaign swings through Pennsylvania amid a heated primary season that finds her in a virtual tie with Senator Barack Obama. Early on political pundits downplayed Pennsylvania's role for those on the road to the White House, but that’s all changed. “It matters. The Keystone state is "key." The road to Pennsylvania Avenue must go through Pennsylvania,” said Clinton.

During her 45 minute speech, there were many references to her roots. And Senator Clinton told Northeast PA she'll be back this weekend, this time wearing green, marching in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton. The parade will be broadcast live on both WBRE and WYOU beginning at noon. Clinton said of St. Patrick’s Day, “This is a great day, for the Irish, or for me, someone who really admires the Irish.”

Sources in the city tell us they would have liked to hear about the senator's visit before the rest of the country heard about it on live TV. By all indications, she'll be walking along with Governor Ed Rendell.

Before that, she has stops Tuesday in Harrisburg and Philadelphia.