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Intro: Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton made a surprise appearance during the annual State of the Bronx address in the South Bronx this morning. Bilal Qureshi reports...
Narr: Bronx Residents and community leaders came together this morning to hear Borough President Adolfo Carrion deliver his optimistic 'State of the Bronx' address.
Ax: Thank you very much... The Bronx is Back....
Narr: But Carrion was soon upstaged by a Presidential candidate...
Ax: Ladies and gentlemen... the next President of the United States...Senator Hillary Clinton....
Narr: Senator Clinton's appearance in seen as an an active effort by her to court minority and urban voters. Clinton is facing increasing competition from African-American Senator Barack Obama who has risen to national attention for his positive message of reconciliation and government reform. But as Senator Clinton has said, she is in it to win.
Ax: When I take the oath of office in January 2009, I will remember what we've done here...
Narr: The Bronx has a high concentration of Black and Latino residents. The Bronx has recently undergone significant urban renewal. Carrion says Senator Clinton's appearance is symbolic...
Ax: President after president have stood in the rubble of the South Bronx in the 1970s and now they can come here and show success...
Narr: Many local Latino and black residents admire Clinton's work for the district. Bishop Pedular Rosario says that he respects Senator Barack's Obama's character. But...
Ax: Probably it is time for a woman to be President... A mother knows how to nurture...
Narr: Community organizer Phyllis Reed says although Barack Obama has a multiracial background, he does not 'own' the minority vote.
Ax: There's going to be a struggle among minority voters... Hillary has shown herself to have served exemplary in a number of ways. Obama, I'm not that familiar with him... I think he needs a lot more exposure...
Narr: Clinton will travel to New Hampshire this weekend. Her oponent, Senator Barrack Obama plans to announce his official bid for the Presidency next week in Illinois.
Bilal Qureshi, Columbia Radio News