Hillary Clinton addresses AARP in Boston

More than 4,000 people heard Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton give a rousing 35-minute speech to AARP's Life@50+ expo at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Friday afternoon. Then two people out of the 4,000 got to ask the New York senator a question and one of them was Kimberly Blest of Quincy.

In an emotional plea for more humane health care and social service systems - ones that would allow her 21-year-old disabled son dignity and hope - Blest asked Clinton what she would do to provide more supports for independent living.

Blest, 49, her voice shaking, described how her son, Kevin Scanlan, has cerebral palsy, autism, some mental illness and other challenges. He attends a day program at the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover but when he turns 22 next Aug. 20, she is afraid he will no longer be eligible for a variety of social and medical services.

Blest described her dream for her son: that he can become a functional person in this society. "I want my son to have that dignity, to have the ability to try and to work and to make enough money that he doesn't need Social Security," she said.

As the audience applauded, Blest pleaded, "That would be such a gift to him. And the thing is, he is one of millions."

Clinton promised to fight for more support for autism research and programs, including group residences.

"We also need to know what is increasing the diagnosis of autism," the senator added, as Blest vigorously nodded her head and murmured her agreement.

Clinton took one other question from a man who asked her about the failure of her health reform efforts in the 1990s when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president. She replied there were many reasons for the setback.

"I wish I'd known then what I know now about how to work with Congress more effectively," she replied.

"We didn't lay the groundwork as effectively as we might have. "

She said any changes in the health care system will be difficult, no matter how strongly people believe in them, because the system "is so confusing and it is hard to take on the pharmaceutical industry."

She and other presidential candidates had been invited to address the AARP national event on the issues of health care and financial security. Two accepted: Clinton and Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas who spoke Friday morning. Clinton's time for questions was limited because of her schedule.

Following Clinton's address, two women came over to Blest to thank her for speaking out. Each said they were in the same situation, and a mother from Milwaukee, Deborah Melanz, said she has a son, 16, with autism. The most frustrating thing about current policies is, Melanz said, that they don't deal with the core problem and try to understand the root causes of the disorder.

In her remarks, Clinton also cited a number of issues important to people 50 and older. There is a growing problem with fraud and abuse against seniors, she said, and in the long-term insurance market in particular. In her campaign, she said, she has developed a long list of seniors who have stories of being taken advantage of in their long-term care policies and she has held forums where seniors have been invited to share their stories.

Jacqueline Tower, 59, of Weymouth also heard Clinton's remarks and said she was favorably impressed. "I don't know who I will vote for, but she is a much more dynamic speaker than I thought she was. I am glad I came."

Earlier, Tower had attended lifestyles sessions with Joan Rivers and her daughter, Melissa, about mother/daughter relationships and with makeup mogul Bobbi Brown, on how to have style at age 50 and older.

The three-day program concludes Saturday with a workout session with fitness guru Richard Simmons, an evening concert with Rod Stewart, which is sold out, a program on lifelong financial security with former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, and a talk by actor Hector Elizondo.

The AARP expo is a national event, and this one has outsold all other national events in AARP's 49 year history. More than 27,000 people 50 and older, who are AARP members, attended.

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[patriotledger]

We welcome your comments on our videos. Posts will be removed if they are in bad taste or contain obscenities, but they will not be edited. Thanks for your interest in our site.

[ThePedrosanta]

GOD ,love her and bless her,she know's what we truley need.

[tencz57]

They talk and they talk . The people still believe their lies . Nothing gets done on their promises , ever . Signed: Old Nam Vet 67/69

[Kabloooy]

A socialist talking to a socialist organization.

Hitler would be proud.

[Pondarama]

Go Hillary

[li2332]

I agree that Clinton is more seasoned and she has my vote for President. If Obama is nominated, then I'll vote for McCain.

[HeadlessHorseman55]

Clinton delivers the same empty promises and rhetoric older than her campaign. She is a tax and spend liberal that will finish running this country into the ground.

How are you going to pay for all of this Hillary? The country is ALREADY bankrupt.

[zazen55susan2000]

Senator Barama is a fine man. Educated, erudite, telegenic and a man who speaks from his heart. Unfortunately, he is not seasoned enough to be our next president. I throw my vote to Clinton. I think that a Clinton-Obama ticket would give us the opportunity of 16 years of leadership, an immediate end to the war, and the restoration of family values,which although are constantly being espoused by the Republicans, ignored the very families who are in most need.

[unci43]

AARP is nothing but big insurance .. ripping off the people...Hillary , Obama , Richardson and Edwards are undemocratic .. if they were fair they would have spoken up when Kucinich was barred from the debates .. all of you are afraid of him....He is the best one running for president.. he is change is all about...shame on you Hillary and they rest of you all... Go Kucinich!

[zebulon1984]

I think we are tired of the Bible thumping, money spending, war mongering president we have now. If you vote for Mr. Baptist minister Huckabee, that is exactly what you will be getting.

[zebulon1984]

Dear 1LonePuma,

I feel you are mistaken. Mike Huckabee will offer nothing more than what we have now. He will force his religion where is doesn't belong like Bush does. He will keep the troops In Iraq like Bush is. He will continue to waste money on this silly "war" and other worthless things like Bush is. He does not believe in equality for all like Bush does