Hillary Clinton takes shots at Sanders during New York homecoming
NEW YORK — "It's a thrill to be Live at the Apollo!" Hillary Clinton told a crowd gathered at the Apollo Theater in Harlem on Wednesday, paying homage to the storied venue of her New York homecoming.
Clinton, the former junior Senator of New York, celebrated the vibrant culture of the Empire state at the theater which holds 1,500 people.
"Our diversity is a strength, not a weakness," Clinton told audiences at the historically black theater where Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye have all performed. "New York represents the best of America … We should build on that spirit, not squash it. And I believe with all my heart that if we reach for more love and kindness, instead of bluster and bigotry. There’s nothing we can’t do if we put our minds to it."
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It's not surprising Clinton chose Harlem as the site for her return to New York, a state where she currently holds a wide lead in the polls over Sanders.
The Clintons have a strong connection to the neighborhood of predominately black and latino voters who have helped Clinton amass a near insurmountable delegate lead in the Democratic primary.
Former President Bill Clinton moved his office to Harlem after leaving the White House in 2000.
And earlier this year, Clinton delivered a key speech on race at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, saying racial discrimination is no less important than income inequality in America.
Her speech Wednesday echoed some of those themes, and allowed her a shot at Sanders.
"I know how important it is to close [the income inequality] gap, to rebuild the middle class," she said. "But I'll tell you this, it’s also important to take on racial inequality and racism."
Clinton also said while she and Sanders agree on many issues, many of his plans "don't add up."
"My opponent says we’re just not thinking big enough," Clinton said. "Well, this is New York, nobody dreams bigger than we do."
Many in the crowd — including a large number of black women, a group that's been one of the biggest boosters of Clinton's bid — said they have been steadfastly loyal to both Clinton and her husband.
Supporters all said they are working hard for Harlem to turn out strong for Clinton in the April 19 primary — saying the Clintons have been big boosters of their city and the community at large.
"I'm hoping that this is a good area for Hillary. She deserves it. She’s earned it," said Vy Higginsen, a playwright and music producer whose shows celebrate African-American history and culture. "In terms of Bernie, what has he done for me lately? Don’t throw up in my face that you walked with Martin Luther King. You know, the Clintons moved to Harlem. They met with all the business people. They talked about what we could do to make this a better place, and so I support her."
Assetou Sy, an immigrant from Mali, Africa, and the president of the African Women’s Alliance of America, said many in her community are Clinton supporters. Sy and her group support Clinton, and hold events to help convince fellow African women in New York to vote for Clinton, too.
"We all want a woman to be on the top, and we know she will be the best president for America because it’s like 'buy one and get one free' with her husband," Sy said. "With all the experience she has in the government, I think she would be No. 1 to be the president of America that’s why we’re supporting her."
Despite the likelihood of a solid win in New York, Clinton said she is not taking any chances.
"We’re going to work for every vote in this state, just like I did when I ran for the Senate," Clinton said. "Because New Yorkers took a chance on me, and I will never forget that."
During her speech, Clinton touted her efforts to bring jobs to New York, as well as her work on the bill that provides health care to first responders who fell ill after working amid the rubble in lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks.
"When first responders and others started suffering adverse health effects from 9/11, a lot of people in Washington didn’t want to pay any attention. But I kept raising the alarm," Clinton said. "And I am so grateful that the Zadroga Act is now ensuring that people who gave so much will be taken care of."
Clinton also had some New York heavyweights in the audience, including retiring Harlem Rep. Charlie Rangel and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the soon-to-be Senate Democratic leader who worked alongside Clinton when she served in the Senate.
"She may not always talk like we Brooklynites talk," Schumer said, speaking in a thick Brooklyn accent. "But when she speaks out, she changes minds [and] she changes hearts."
Sanders is set to touch down for a campaign swing through the state on Thursday.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sanders is hoping to shift the tide his way in the state, where he needs a large victory in order to cut into Clinton's nearly insurmountable delegate lead.
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Emily Cahn is a political reporter at Mashable. Prior to Mashable, Cahn spent nearly four years at Roll Call, where she covered House and Senate races and congressional shenanigans. She has also been a copy editor at The Washington Post, and interned at The Hill, the Houston Chronicle and CBS News when she was a student at The George Washington University. Aside from being a political junkie, Cahn loves dogs and experimenting with cooking. Follow her on Twitter @CahnEmily, where she posts pictures of her family's two misbehaved poodles.
