Some polls might show Hillary Clinton ahead of Donald Trump, but the former First Lady and first woman ever to run for president of the United States isn't dropping her guard. She says the fight for the White House isn’t over yet.
Democrat Clinton made rounds in Florida on Wednesday, appearing in Lake Worth and in Tampa. Her rallies served as a final push to reach voters before they head to the polls.
Wednesday was Clinton’s 69th birthday -- but in lieu of gifts, she simply asked rally attendees to cast their votes for her as she tries to win the state’s 29 electoral votes, a crucial count on the way to the White House.
Local politicians showed their support for their presidential candidate. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and possible 2018 gubernatorial hopeful and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn all spoke on behalf of Clinton.
Many women came to the rally. To them, Clinton is an example of a woman who is intelligent and more than capable of leading them as president.
Clinton even had some celebrity support from Academy Award-winning actress Angela Bassett, who grew up in St. Petersburg, who hit on the theme of a strong woman making it to the nation’s highest office.
"Just like the women that I've played on film, Hillary is a trailblazer and in 13 days she'll be a glass breaker,” said Bassett.
The crowd cheered Clinton on as she explained her positions on immigration, the economy, and college tuition.
Most of all, Clinton tried to differentiate herself from Trump. The two have been involved in one of the bitterest rivalries in presidential election history. With less than two weeks to go, Florida is one of the most important states -- if not the most important state -- for the candidates.
Clinton criticized Trump for attending the opening of his new hotel in Washington, D.C. in the middle of a time when candidates are usually embroiled in constant, down-the-stretch campaigning.
Trump’s positions, said Clinton, are inconsistent with his actions. She used undocumented immigrants as an example of a group of people Trump had ostracized in his calls to eliminate sanctuary cities and build a wall to keep illegal immigrants out of the country.
"He once again relied on undocumented workers, the same people he has been insulting and demonizing this entire campaign,” she explained.
Clinton’s 20-minute speech ended with her urging voters to head to the polls and vote early. Democrats have strategically planned their rallies close to polling places so voters can take advantage of, and cast, their ballots.
Polls have shown Clinton leading Trump in Florida, but the race has tightened up slightly over the last few weeks. Some polls show the former secretary of state with a wide lead -- as much as five points -- while others show it at only two points. Trump, meanwhile, claims any poll that shows Clinton ahead "is a lie."
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
