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Saying he is mostly out of politics, President Clinton energized a Democratic crowd Sunday night with talk of a "fact-free election" on behalf of a man "younger and better looking" than he is, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.
The get-out-the-vote rally drew 300 to 400 people to the Sono Field House, which had room for more. A series of local performers from the Park City Trio made up of Weston High School students to the cast of the Bridgeport Theatre Company's Production of "Rent" warmed the crowd up for the politicians to follow: gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy, lieutenant governor candidate Nancy Wyman, Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal, Himes and Clinton.
Clinton was the main event. "It's a 'fact-free' election," he said over and over again. As the leader of a foundation, he said he deals with facts with the same intensity that Americans save for the facts of sporting events.
"Facts" included the numbers since Himes began his service in Congress. "We have recovered 70 percent of our lost GDP," Clinton said. He likened it to a sporting event. "How's the competition doing? Germany 60 percent, Japan 50 percent, Great Britain 30 percent. Now, that is not cause for applause because we don't feel better. But it should give you pause before you throw out the crowd that's in and bring back the crowd that dug us in the hole."
He said voters need to give Democrats four years to solve the problems that Republicans took eight years to create. "I'm telling you this because it's not too late," he said, urging attendees to get young people to vote.
Afterward, a crowd sought Clinton's autograph. Debbie Rehr of Weston was thrilled because she got a photo of the former president with her 16-year-old son, Stephan, who had given up Halloween to go to the event. Her friend, Cathy Mintor of Weston, was impressed by Clinton. "The Democratic National Committee should have spent all their money on getting this man of television," she said.
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