LEWISBURG -- Hillary Rodham Clinton wants the disputed Michigan and Florida primaries counted, while Barack Obama says let well enough alone.
It was the same message Saturday night in Lewisburg, just different faces.
The heated Democrat race for the presidential nomination made a pit stop at the Union County Democratic Committee spring dinner at La Primavera, led by Clinton's brother Hugh Rodham, and former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford, campaigning on behalf of Obama.
Their messages were clear. If the country wants change, then their respective candidate is the answer.
"I believe the voters have been making it clear they want change," said Wofford, who represented Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995 and now serves as a surrogate for Obama's campaign. "The question is who can set us on track. We need a fresh voice and fresh face, someone who has a knack to bring people together."
Wofford, in accordance with Obama's stance, said the dispute with the Michigan and Florida primaries will work itself out through the party leaders' hands.
"I already read where Michigan said itself could not go forward," Wofford said. "The chairman of the party (former New Hampshire Gov. Howard Dean) will handle it, and we will support the decision."
Rodham, a lawyer, businessman and Democratic politician, said the issue still needs resolved in fairness of the voters.
"That's for the party people and two campaigns to decide," Rodham said. "Frankly, I don't see how they can ignore two of the largest states in the country. I have faith they'll figure it out."
Rodham then turned his focus onto Clinton's heritage to the Valley region, a connection he says should resonate with voters.
"The roots of our family go way back in Pennsylvania, back to 1878 when our grandfather settled in Scranton," Rodham said. "We're not just casual acquaintances in Pennsylvania. We'll be here next year and the year after that.
"Win, lose or draw, this is the place we'll come back to because it's our home."
As for whom Union County Democrats are favoring, Chairman Rick Thomas said the committee remains split.
"There are some still sitting on the fence, but I'd say 75 to 80 percent at this point know which candidate they prefer," Thomas said. "I believe the Clinton campaign sort of assumes Pennsylvania is in the bag, but I'm not so sure that's the case."
In addition to the Presidential race, several local campaigns made their push for last minute votes at the dinner. Thomas said the seasonal event, which drew roughly 190 local Democrats, was the biggest event in more than 10 years.
"This year's election is filled with highly qualified Democrat candidates in several races, especially at the local level," Thomas said. "It's an exciting time to be a Democrat. We're certainly blessed with a plethora of great choices."
Among the local candidates speaking at the dinner included U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-10 of Dimock; John Morganelli, candidate for state attorney general, John Cordisco, candidate for state treasurer, Trey Casimir, candidate for state senator of the 23rd District, and Steve Connolley, candidate for state representative of the 85th legislative district.
n E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.
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