Hillary Clinton Takes The Stage At Michaud Campaign Rally

SCARBOROUGH — Hillary Clinton has taken the stage at Scarborough High School to rally roughly 1,400 members of the party faithful on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, the Democratic nominee for governor. Clinton took the stage shortly before 7 p.m. to loud applause, declaring “I like Mike.” “I wanted to come lend my support to his campaign because I believe he would be the kind of governor the people of the state of Maine deserve to have,” Clinton said. Striking a populist theme, the former first lady and secretary of state touted Democratic ideals, especially those issues important to women. Clinton’s stop in Maine is part of a larger effort to help Democrats throughout the country, while laying the groundwork for widely anticipated 2016 run for president. Republicans, meanwhile, sought to rekindle criticism of Clinton’s handling of the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, which led to the deaths of an American ambassador and three other Americans. About 20 protesters carrying homemade with messages such as “Hillary Lied An Ambassador Died” and “Silly Hilly Benghazi Does Matter.” They originally stood near the main entrance, but were moved back by police. Clinton’s visit reflects the Democratic Party’s strategy of stimulating turnout among its base voters – particularly women – to counter the historical trend of higher Republican turnouts in off-year elections.