Hillary Clinton Slams GOP, Vows to Make Economy Work for All Americans

PHOTO: Hillary Clinton speaks to Democrats gathered Friday night at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax. Photo by Kate Barton

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Presidential candidate HIllary Rodham Clinton brought a crowd of 2,000 party faithful to their feet Friday night in Fairfax with a declaration to fight for all Americans if she makes it to the White House and stating that the GOP is ”the party of the past, not the future.”

“When does all your hard work pay off? I’m running for office to make the economy work for you and everyone across America,” she said.

Clinton was the guest of Virginia Democrats at their Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, which raised $1 million for party coffers, according to the party. The event, which had the feel of a rally, was held at George Mason University’s Patriot Center in Fairfax.

After a speech ticking off Democrats’ accomplishments in Virginia, Clinton family friend Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe introduced Clinton, telling the audience he seeks out Hillary rather than Bill when the two families have vacationed together. “Hillary’s a lot of fun — when I want to get a beer or a cocktail before dinner, I look for Hillary.”

Clinton Friday night hailed the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling on gay marriage and yesterday’s ruling affirming President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Clinton said Republicans are being left behind and are also wrong on gun control and climate change.

She called out members of Congress who have voted against funding for the CDC to research gun violence. And on climate change, she blamed lawmakers who say they can’t get behind it because “ ’I’m not a scientist.’ Then why don’t they start talking to scientists?”

In her speech, Clinton slammed potential Republican opponents. The GOP may have “fresh faces, but not fresh ideas,” she said. “They are the party of the past, not the future.”

She took aim at Republicans who say that immigrants are criminals. New York businessman Donald Trump, who is running for president, made headlines with his statement that Mexicans are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.” He also called for building a wall along the southern border of the United States.

Local politicos speaking at the event Friday night included Congressman Gerry Connolly, Sen. Tim Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner. Kaine, who speaks Spanish, has been talked about as a possible running mate, according to Politico. Kaine came out early for Clinton, last year, urging her to run; he was an early backer, in 2007, of President Obama’s 2008 presidential bid.