New York Primary

Leading up to the New York Primary

April 16, 2016 by The Inside Press

Produced by Grace Bennett

A brief look back at various events in Chappaqua and in Westchester surrounding Hillary’s historic run for the Democratic nomination…leading up to the New York primary.

A Visit to HGHS on the Campaign Trail

Hillary Clinton’s anticipated presence created such a buzz throughout the student body at Horace Greeley High School on Thursday, March 31, that it was tough to maintain the students’ focus and attention in class that day! But, can you blame them? It’s not every day that the former First Lady, Secretary of State, and current Democratic Presidential Candidate comes to their high school to speak in one of their social studies classes. It was a memory that I’m sure the students will never forget, as she walked through a maze of adoring students and teachers alike all craning necks to shake hands, share an encouraging anecdote of support, or snap a quick picture with their cell phones. –Timothy JH McHale (HGHS ’11, actor, and also substitute teacher in the Chappaqua Central School District)

“My Inspirer in Chief”…Kind Words of Support

“You are my inspirer-in-chief. You are that to many people in the United States and around the world.” Tracy Stein to Hillary Clinton preceding HRC’s talk to hundreds gathered at her home; an impromptu meeting with Clinton at Le Jardin du roi prompted Stein to pursue a Master’s degree in global affairs. “Human rights is my passion,” Stein noted. HRC opened her talk highlighting what’s at stake in November. “It really is one of these crossroads/consequential elections… it will set the stage for the next four to eight years–and probably for the next decade or two–in how we conduct ourselves as a nation, how we treat one another, what goals we set, how we lead and how we are viewed in the world.”

Marco Masotti and Tracy Stein before introducing Hillary Clinton

At SUNY: A Test for “Any Candidate”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the podium with HRC rallying supporters

You know, that moment when you actually MEET her! Randee Glazer, while volunteering

An early stop on the New York campaign trail included a rousing speech to SUNY Purchase students, faculty and supporters county wide. HRC included, as she has in many speeches during this campaign,
her criteria for the presidency: “One, can you deliver results that actually improve people’s lives? Two, can you keep us safe? That may be more personal for New Yorkers than other folks…and people who don’t know how to talk about it, who view it as an afterthought, have no business being in the Oval Office. And three, can you bring our country together?…”

Westchester for Hillary Opens!

The early April grand opening of the Westchester for Hillary headquarters at 188 Martine Avenue in White Plains has spurred a great deal of momentum for signing up and volunteering.

Volunteers from the grass roots Chappaqua Friends of Hill group offered hands on support and/or donated supplies.

Westchester field organizers Hannah Fine and Izzy Bugatti greet a volunteer at the White Plains HRC campaign headquarters grand opening.

Geri Shapiro, who held the position of Westchester County Regional Director for then Senator Hillary Clinton, rallying volunteers too.

Millennials Rally

michelle kwan 1 — While Bernie Sanders’ supporters may boast (justifiably) about widespread support among millennials for his campaign, the hundreds of thousands of millennials who support Hillary Clinton have been steadily rising above the radar. Olympic skater Michelle Kwan rallying a youthful gathering at the Royal in New York City.

A Friend in Carole King

April 15, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

After an appearance on Morning Joe, the much beloved singer-songwriter Carole King arrived in White Plains to rally delighted supporters on behalf of Hillary Clinton; she also lead those gathered in singing You’ve Got a Friend, a classic from her timeless Tapestry album.

King described once sitting at a table with Clinton impressed with “her breadth of knowledge” but also her expertise in communication. “She’s just so smart and explains things in a deep way but in an understandable way.”

King also noted Clinton’s skill in finding common ground from across the political aisle, specifically citing adoption legislation she passed together with Republican Tom DeLay, then the Senate Majority Leader. “She is going to do the right thing for the people she represents and she is not going to let anyone get away with doing what they’re doing wrong. And she has a record of doing that.”

Prior to King’s taking the mic, several public officials heaped praise on the recording superstar* and also rallied a group of supporters gathered by a private GOTV (Get Out the Vote) invitation to the Westchester for Hillary headquarters.

White Plains Mayor Tom Wolf, speaking of King: “The bar was set high for me and all of us to hear such beautiful music sung in such a genuine fashion,” he said. “When you hear a person singing words that matter, the effect on you is tremendous.”

Assembly woman Shelley-Mayer, who introduced King, said her music “changed our lives. She took our personal tales and made It a story of strength and confidence; we had a voice. The songwriting combined with singing awoke us to the power we have. Very few people in the history of songwriting have transformed generations.”

Congressman Eliot Engel after commending King for her activism for the environment, reminded everyone: “Every democratic Congress member in NY is supporting Hillary Clinton.

“Wherever she goes, she’s greeted like a rock star, because she is. Let’s make sure New York goes for Hillary by double digits, then it’s on to victory in Philadelphia.”

Finally, state Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins recalled Hillary Clinton’s support “when I first had the audacity to run for Senate. “Go figure, a little woman like me beating this guy who’d been in for 28 years.” She called on supporters to “just do the work. Be vigilant. We have to work every day untill we celebrate the victory.”

*King’s album “Tapestry” is still considered one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.

Rally for Hillary Clinton Outside Grafflin: 7 a.m. on Primary Day

April 14, 2016 by Inside Press

Volunteers for the Campaign Offer Passionate Statements Regarding their Support

A rally to support voting for Hillary Clinton will take place outside the Grafflin Elementary School at 7 a.m. on the morning of the New York primary. Chappaqua Friends of Hill (CFOH) has organized the event and are inviting supporters to turn out in as large a number as possible. The Clintons both vote at Grafflin too.

Marie Hollinger Short, a volunteer with the grassroots group, said CFOH mobilized to help canvass and make phone calls throughout Westchester because of “what is at stake…our reputation as a true global superpower for good, our national security, our relations with other countries, our safety and response to gun violence.”

Hollinger Short called Hillary Clinton “an extraordinary human being…and also the candidate who can best run our country and understands its needs. I can think of no better role model for my two daughters than a woman who has been attacked nearly every day of her adult life, and yet keeps plugging on and doing good in the world because she feels a duty.”

CFOH volunteers Randee Glaser, Marie Hollinger Short and Jason Lichtenthal at Chappaqua Station recently to recruit volunteers for phone banking and canvassing for HIllary's campaign in Westchester. — CFOH volunteers Randee Glaser, Marie Hollinger Short and Jason Lichtenthal at Chappaqua Station recently to recruit volunteers for phone banking and canvassing for HIllary’s campaign in Westchester.

Lori Gowen Morton, also a CFOH volunteer, told the Inside Press that the legislature has become increasingly ineffective, and even quite recently, seems prohibitive to governing. We need a leader that can be most effective in restoring a collaborative environment.

“Additionally, I believe there has been a backsliding on civil rights issues, and a growing permissive environment for xenophobia and fear. I want a future in which my daughters can feel confident that their work is equally rewarded, their bodies are their own, and their friends need not fear discrimination or limited opportunities. I want a leader that will not only set a positive tone for our children’s future, but has a plan of action to protect it,” stated Gowen Morton.

“Hillary Clinton has been my candidate because beyond rhetoric, she has outlined specific and detailed plans to move the country forward, on all fronts: social, economic and diplomatic.”

Gowen Morton described her first experience with Hillary Clinton. “It was at a campaign speech at my college during Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992. I was so impressed with her expertise on the issues and her presence…as a woman who was a force to be reckoned with in her own right, not simply window-dressing and a cheerleader for someone else.

“I remember thinking “She should be running!” I have been a fan ever since.She’s been a kind and generous neighbor, and well known locally for “behind the scenes” advocacy for those in need. I was so proud of her efforts to globally address women and children’s issues during her time as Secretary of State I believe that she has literally changed the world, shining a light on inequity, empowering women and families to fight for change, and increasing the pressure for reform in more oppressive countries.”

The discourse in this campaign has been so hateful and divisive, Gowen Morton also noted. “I continue in daily disbelief at the chauvinist, racist, discriminatory and simply offensive statements coming from other campaigns. I respect Hillary Clinton for continuing to take the high road, keeping the dialogue on topic, fighting her battles with fact and plan, rather than outburst and insult. I started supporting her because of my deep respect for her, but my commitment has been solidified by my belief that the country is in serious peril, and there is simply no other candidate with equal promise to be a sensible and effective leader.”

“Westchester for Hillary!” to Get out the Vote on April 19

March 22, 2016 by Inside Press

March 22, White Pains, NY— Organizing and rallying the troops to get out the Westchester vote for Hillary Clinton on April 19th kicked off today in a packed ballroom at Vintage Restaurant on Main Street. Many of some 200 individuals gathered signed up to volunteer for canvassing and phonebanking and other volunteer endeavors over the two weekends leading up to the primary.

Hannah Fine, one of two official field organizers–with Izzy Bugatti–for Westchester, and a White Plains resident herself, told a cheering audience that Hillary is “the correct and only choice for 2016…we are in Hillary’s backyard and expect to see her win in Westchester in a landslide.”

Cheryl Brennan, M.S., CEO of Brannan Solutions, said she would work to reach people of color; another speaker called on the Latino community and African community to join forces. Carol Evans, founder of Executive Women for Hillary, who has been criss-crossing the country campaigning, rallied attendees as well on “what works.”

Several public officials supporting Hillary Clinton, or their representatives, were also at the event, including County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, former state Senator Suzie Oppenheimer, a representative for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and two representatives for state Assemblyman David Buchwald. White Plains Mayor Tom Roach told the Inside Press that he was proud of White Plains “being the hub of support” for those who arrived from around the county. –Grace Bennett