New York Politicians Hold 'Ready For Hillary' Rally In Manhattan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - Local politicians and Democratic supporters held a "Ready for Hillary'' rally Saturday in anticipation of Hillary Rodham Clinton's expected presidential campaign launch.
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer were among those who attended the rally in a South End Avenue eatery, 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported.
"There's a lot at stake and our country is on the line, our democracy is on the line, our future is on the line," rally organizer Jenifer Rajkumar said.
New York Politicians Hold 'Ready For Hillary' Rally In Manhattan
The "Ready for Hillary'' grassroots movement has been encouraging Clinton to run for president in recent years.
Speaking in Panama City Saturday, President Barack Obama said of Hillary Rodham Clinton, "I think she would be an excellent president."
Congresswoman Maloney said they've been raising the necessary funds for the 2016 campaign on the grassroots level.
"We have raised over $15 million and this has been in small contributions, usually in the form of $20.16. Ninety-eight percent of the contributions came in under $100," she said.
New York Politicians Hold 'Ready For Hillary' Rally In Manhattan
"We want to narrow the income gap. Hillary is the one to make it happen," Maloney said.
Tickets to the event, which one supporter said was being held on "Hillary Eve,'' cost $20.16 and attendees could choose from a number of Clinton-themed cocktails, including one dubbed "(hash)45'' in predicting the former first lady would be the 45th president of the United States.
"I think she is really the most qualified and experiences person that we could possibly have," Clinton supporter Sally Regenhard told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.
"She doesn't have to be different than she was in 2008. The world is different than it was in 2008,'' said Nancy Chambers, 71, a retired parrot trainer from Manhattan. ``I think people are more ready to have a woman president, and I think that would be really a special moment for this country.''
Clinton is planning
to announce her run for president on Sunday, CBS News reported.
The former New York senator and secretary of state will travel to an early voting state within days of her announcement, CBS News reported.
Clinton will first announce her campaign for the Democratic nomination with an online video posted on social media.
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