Clinton Bids Chicago a Fond Farewell

Bidding farewell to this Democratic stronghold, President Clinton summed up the cliffhanger election Tuesday, telling supporters that in the end, the only way the Republicans could win was to “stop the voting in Florida.”

It was his most pointed observation on the presidential election since it ended in Republican victory.

Clinton was joined at a downtown hotel by the brothers of a powerful political family in Chicago--Mayor Richard M. Daley and Bill Daley, chairman of Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign.

When Bill Daley became chairman of Gore’s campaign, the Democrats were “way behind” and the Republicans thought they had already won the race, Clinton said.

“By the time it was over, our candidate had won the popular vote, and the only way they could win the election was to stop the voting in Florida,” Clinton told the crowd of about 3,000.

Turning nostalgic, Clinton then recalled visits to Chicago at key moments in his political career. And he told the crowd not to be discouraged about President-elect George W. Bush’s win.

“I’m leaving this country in good shape. The best is still to be. You just rear back, stay together and keep fighting for tomorrow,” Clinton said as multicolored confetti rained down on the audience.

During his speech and earlier at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Clinton said his administration was leaving the nation in better economic shape than when he took office eight years ago.

“We are still experiencing the largest economic expansion of our history,” the president told about 10,000 cheering students and supporters. “Our economy is 50% bigger than it was eight years ago . . . and, unlike some of our previous recoveries, this rising tide is lifting all boats.”

Before appearing in the hotel ballroom in Chicago, Clinton visited James Ward Elementary School and trumpeted his education record.