Published: March 22, 2008 04:34 pm            

TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORAL: Terre Haute responds well to Clinton visit

In the spotlight, community shines

TERRE HAUTE — When tested, Terre Haute shows a strength and class outsiders may not expect from this city.

The old stereotypes of a smelly, dying Rust Belt town are hard to shed. Thursday’s visit by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, though, left no doubt that Terre Haute is a place anxious and prepared to be a leader when the eyes of the state and nation fall upon it.

Clinton’s campaign stop was part of a groundbreaking moment in recent history for Indiana, as was an appearance a week earlier by Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama at Plainfield. Presidential candidates have largely ignored Indiana for the past 40 years, because our May primary typically occurs long after the nominees have been decided. In 2008, that circumstance came true again on the Republican side; Sen. John McCain, the presumptive nominee, will be GOP voters’ lone choice. Hoosier Democrats, though, will help determine a tight race between senators Obama and Clinton.

Those two rivals need Indiana now, and it’s doubtful the trips to Indiana by Obama and Clinton will be their last. Terre Haute earned a distinction not only by being Clinton’s first stop in the state, but also by its handling of her appearance. Unlike Obama’s speech at Plainfield High School, Clinton chose a smaller, more intimate locale — the popular Saratoga Restaurant on Wabash Avenue. The crowd began lining up outside the eatery at 2:45 a.m., eight hours before she reached town. Aside from a few grumbles about line cutters, folks waited peacefully in the chilled March air.

Sure, a high school gym, Tilson Auditorium or even Hulman Center would’ve been logistically easier. That wasn’t Clinton’s objective, though. As she discussed potential sites with her Indiana host, Sen. Evan Bayh, Clinton told him, “We do a lot of big rallies, but I want to meet some regular people.”

Terre Haute adapted beautifully to her idea. The Saratoga staff brought coffee to people waiting on the sidewalk, while it was locked down for routine Secret Service searches. That queue stretched around the block, and ranged from infants in strollers to senior citizens in motorized chairs. They held signs, bought Clinton buttons and T-shirts from a savvy street vendor and got acquainted with their line neighbors. Disruptions were few and minor.

The calm continued, even after it became clear that only a fraction of the crowd would get inside the restaurant. Those in the overflow listened to Clinton’s question-and-answer session through audio speakers set up in the alley behind the Saratoga. Later, the former first lady addressed that cheering contingent outside.

This city has responded to tall tasks well in recent years, from the trying (Timothy McVeigh’s 2001 execution) to the joyful (the NCAA cross country championships).

On Thursday, speculation swirled that Obama might soon visit Terre Haute too. Our door is open, Senator, and we’re ready.

        

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