|
Champaign-Urbana welcomed with open arms Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and their entourage in a historic visit the day after his State of the Union address and in the midst of allegations of extramarital affairs (no, he didn't mention the issue). Every available seat in the Assembly Hall on the University of Illinois' campus was full, making for an enthusiastic crowd with some moments more rambunctious than an Illini basketball game. Even though Clinton is in the midst of a public relations fiasco as he continues to deny an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, the Midwestern crowd gave him nothing but positive feedback. Central Illinois wasn't the only area interested in hearing Clinton's speech, as an estimated 200 media representatives crowded the press section with reporters and cameras from every major network. News trucks and vans carrying satellite dishes were crowded together outside. Sam Donaldson and Harry Smith were two of the national broadcast journalists in attendance. The energy in the building could be felt before Clinton even took the stage as 12,000 anxious people listened to the U of I pep band and started a successful "wave" around the Hall. And then came the moment all were waiting for: Clinton and Gore were escorted into the Assembly Hall, meeting a standing crowd, thunderous applause and waving flags as the pep band played "Hail to the Chief." It was a moment that surely would have given goosebumps to even those who do not support the president; it was a moment celebrating the presidency itself, and what it means to our country. Excitement hit a fever pitch at a time few would have predicted -- during Gore's speech before introducing Clinton. Referring to goals outlined in Clinton's State of the Union address, Gore said forcefully, "We're going to stand by him and support him in that agenda for the good of our country." Gore's emotional speech, sometimes delivered with a near growl in his voice, drew comical remarks from the president. "When he really got going, I wished I had people walking the aisles, passing the plate," Clinton said to thunderous laughter. This was the Bill Clinton his supporters want America to see: relaxed, funny, confident and loved by his constituents. For some of the crowd, it was a visit by a president, not Clinton in particular, that drew them to the Assembly Hall. Clinton is only the third sitting president to visit the area. U of I student Jim Schneider said he's not a big fan of politics in general, but he would have seized the opportunity to see any sitting president. "It's a chance of a lifetime to see a president of the U.S.," Schneider said. "It was exciting, start to finish. I'm glad I came." Still others came to show their support for the president. "I am (a Clinton supporter), and I have been from the start," said Cathy Swain of Urbana. "I support him whole-heartedly." "I was interested in hearing what he had to say about education, the economy and the U.S. in general," said Rose Harris of Urbana. "I got the tickets -- I got lucky. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Clinton seemed to be grateful for a warm response in Illinois, his first trip outside of Washington since news of the Monica Lewinsky affair allegations broke a week ago. "I don't know how with all my roaming across America I have never lit down here before, but I'm sure glad I got here today," Clinton said to a cheering crowd that indicated they were glad he was there, too. Of course, after he "lit down" in Urbana, it took him a while to get on his way again. It appears that although the Air Force One is big, patriotic, and powerful, it does not handle well in mud. After Gore made a clean get-away from Willard Airport in Air Force Two, Clinton's plane got stuck in the soft ground as it turned to make its way down the runway. It wasn't initially apparent to onlookers why Clinton's plane wasn't leaving, but the news media stuck around to get the story, with local stations running live coverage of the stalled plane. About an hour after the scheduled departure time, another 707 arrived (the White House press office was "not at liberty" to say where the plane came from, but one staff member at the airport said it wasn't from St. Louis) and delivered Clinton to his next destination, LaCrosse, Wis. The White House press office also added that there is no single plane designated as Air Force One. Instead, that title goes to whatever plane the president is using; the vice president's plane is dubbed Air Force Two. The president normally travels in 747s, but due to the size of the Willard Airport runway, 707s were used for the Champaign trip, the White House press office said. |