Clinton back in Riverdale as primary approaches

With New York’s presidential primary rapidly approaching, former President Bill Clinton made his second trip to Riverdale within less than a week to campaign for his wife Hillary Clinton.

This time the location was the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where several hundred students and members of the Bronx’s Albanian community cheered Mr. Clinton’s statements on education and immigration, among other topics.

“Look at these students here: it looks like we’re convening the United Nations,” the former president said to applause.

Speaking the night after a heated debate between Ms. Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders — who has launched a strong challenge to the Democratic establishment favorite — the former president expounded on his wife’s plans to make education more affordable.

”Since a college education, no less than a home, is a lifetime asset, and you can get a 20-years’ mortgage on your home, she proposes to give college students the option, no matter how much they borrow, from whatever source… a 20 years’ [loan] at a fixed rate that never can exceed more than 10 percent of your after-tax income,” he said.

Mr. Clinton cast Ms. Clinton’s immigration proposals as distinct from those of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who has called for deporting illegal immigrants, among other controversial proposals.

“Sending everybody home is not only unethical; it’s the dumbest economical idea I’ve heard in my life,” Mr. Clinton said.

“We need to keep replenishing the workforce,” he added.

Mr. Clinton also sounded one of the main refrains of his wife’s campaign so far — that she is a pragmatist who will get things done while Mr. Sanders’ ideas are impractical.

“There is difference between talk and do, and Hillary is a doer,” said Mr. Clinton.

His comments recalling his work to end the Kosovo War in 1999 drew applause from many audience members. Some had brought an Albanian flag, while an ethnic Albanian dance group came to perform at the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s (CMSV) Smith Hall. The Bronx is considered home to one of the biggest Albanian communities in the country.

“Thanks again to the Albanian community who are here, who have supported me in the past and for their memories of all we tried to do,” said Mr. Clinton.

Mr. Clinton ended his speech insisting on Ms. Clinton’s proven ability to act. “Being president is a doing job...  she’s the best doer I’ve ever known,” he said.

A visit from a former president, who was introduced by a congressman, the Bronx borough president and others, marked an unusual day from the sleepy CMSV campus.

Student Jose Mendoza, 18, said he learned some new things from Mr. Clinton’s speech, adding, “It was hectic.”