In his trademark folksy, charming style, former President Bill Clinton discussed everything from student loans to international trade agreements Saturday night while stumping for his wife, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.
But gun control was the topic he led with and one that seemed to resonate with many of the 510 people who witnessed his hit 46-minute speech, held inside the University of Toledo’s Memorial Field House Town Square.
IN PICTURES: Bill Clinton stumps at UT
The event began with Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson telling the crowd she was proud to be the city’s first African-American woman to be elected mayor and threw her support behind Mrs. Clinton, who hopes to become the nation’s first female president.
“We are going to make history again,” she said. “This fall, we are going to make history.”
She then introduced former Arizona congressman Gabby Giffords and Ms. Giffords’ husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly. The two introduced Mr. Clinton, but first they devoted much of their time on the podium to calls for gun control.
“We need Congress and the White House to stand up to the gun lobby,” Mr. Kelly said.
Ms. Giffords, who survived a mass shooting on Jan. 8, 2011, said she is supporting Mrs. Clinton because she will stand up to the gun lobby.
Her voice wavered, much better than it was right after the attack. But signs of the brain trauma from her wounds showed.
“Speaking is difficult for me,” Ms. Giffords said. “But come January, I want to say these two words: Madame President.”
As for Mr. Clinton, he wooed the audience with this campaign slogan: “It is time for us to rise together.”
He used that throughout the speech, during which he talked about the need for new pipes and better infrastructure in response to the Flint water crisis. He also was critical of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ vote against funding the auto bailout after agreeing to help the industry in principle.
Mr. Clinton also said his wife — unlike GOP front-runner Donald Trump — knows it is ”wrong to demonize Muslims,” noting the large Muslim population here.
He began his speech with his own tirade against the NRA, stating that his wife would stand up to the powerful gun lobby if elected president.
One heckler, with the video on his cell phone aimed at Mr. Clinton, yelled out comparisons between gun control and Russia, accusing Mr. Clinton of supporting a communist agenda.
The heckler did not resist security efforts to escort him out.
Mr. Clinton, saying he doesn’t want “to behave the way the Trumps do,” asked the man to stay and listen to what he said. The man left anyway.
“One thing they have in common is they’re all chicken in the end,” Mr. Clinton said, earning rousing applause.
About 30 minutes later, he chuckled about the incident again.
“I was gonna let that young fella talk,” he said, referring to the heckler. “He was just afraid of letting me answer.”
Thomas Jaksetic, Toledo Fire and Rescue deputy chief, said 510 people attended the event. The audience, because of space limitations, was limited to 763 people.
Local officials in attendance included Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, who introduced the Giffords, and Councilman Larry Sykes, Councilman Tyrone Riley, state Rep. Michael Ashford (D., Toledo), and Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros.
Many Hillary Clinton supporters, carrying blue-and-white placards with her first name on them, began entering the hall about 6:50 p.m. Ms. Hicks-Hudson took the stage at 7:51 p.m., and Mr. Clinton’s speech began at 8:04 p.m.
Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com, 419-724-6079, or via Twitter @ecowriterohio.
First Published March 13, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
