Clinton touts economic plan, bashes Trump in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The next president needs to raise the minimum wage, cut the costs of prescription drugs while improving the Affordable Care Act, advocate equal pay for equal work and "defend fundamental rights (under attack) by the candidates running for president," Hillary Clinton said here Friday.

She implored Nashville to send her to the White House in 2016, while speaking against the “inflammatory rhetoric” of Republican candidates, led by GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump.

"Part of why we are great already, Mr. Trump, is because we have the most unusual ability to bring people here and turn them into Americans," Clinton said, playing on Trump's catchphrase "Make America Great Again."

The former U.S. secretary of state, who is the Democratic front-runner in the presidential race, hit all the high points Democrats look for and the issues that make her highly unpopular with Republicans: her calls to defend Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion rights, fight climate change and enact an immigration reform plan that includes a "path to citizenship." But she focused on improving the economy.

"The centerpiece of my economic plan is to raise incomes for hard-working middle-class families so you can get ahead again. That starts with raising the minimum wage, because nobody who works full time should be living in poverty," Clinton said.

Hundreds of people packed a gymnasium on Fisk University’s campus to hear Clinton speak, with several hundred more listening through speakers outside. Clinton gave a quick wave and thank you to the supporters outside the gymnasium before delivering a roughly 45-minute speech inside.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., helped introduce Clinton. Both are among the many Tennessee Democrats helping Clinton campaign throughout the state. Clinton and Cooper especially went after Republicans, chiefly Trump.

She received some of the most applause when she pledged more funding for historically black colleges and universities, fighting to combat gun violence and supporting "Black Lives Matter." Clinton ended her speech with a review of some of her background, and why she wants to be president.

"I'm going to get up every single day in that White House to make sure you all have the opportunities that you deserve," Clinton said.

Avery Humphrey-Davis hasn’t made up his mind if he’ll vote for a Democrat or Republican. The 22-year-old Fisk senior plans to become a teacher. He said before the event he hoped Clinton would make education a key focus of her campaign.

“I definitely want to hear her talk about the national debt and student debt as well. Jobs, job creation — I’m going in to being a teacher, so talk about education and how important that is for her and if that’s going to be a focus of her platform for the next election," said Humphrey-Davis, a Brentwood native.

Billie Calloway, 73, said she left her home in Donelson to come to Fisk because she’s a Democrat and Clinton supporter.

“I agree with her on the immigrants, I agree with her view on helping college students with their tuition, and, of course, I’m for Obamacare and I think she still is. I think Obamacare might need some tweaking, but I think we oughta keep it,” Calloway said before the event.

But the retired Donelson resident thinks it could be tough for Clinton or any Democrat to take Tennessee in the general election.

“I don’t know if she can get the state. I have to be honest with you. She will get these (Davidson and Shelby) counties, probably. But I don’t think she’ll get Tennessee, until we’re able as a Democratic Party in the state of Tennessee to get our standing back.”

While Clinton is expected by many to emerge from the Democratic primary, and won Tennessee during the 2008 primary, it's highly unlikely she'll win the general election in conservative-leaning Tennessee. Earlier in the day, the Tennessee Republican Party issued a statement bashing Clinton and her trip through the state.

"Clinton-inspired ObamaCare was written, passed, and implemented by Democrats. Now, Americans are seeing increased prices, fewer choices, and limited access to quality health care. Yet Hillary Clinton refuses to admit it's not working. Instead, she's once again doubling down on a failed policy," said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Ryan Haynes.

The primary election is March 1.