President Bill Clinton stopped in the Ohio Valley on Thursday.
Clinton attended a grassroots event at Indian Creek High School in Wintersville following an appearance in Parma, Ohio with Bruce Springsteen.
During his visit, Clinton discussed the differing ideas between President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney regarding the economy.
"Now if [Mitt Romney] cuts everybody else's taxes and those of use in higher income groups are still going to keep paying 60% of the total tax burden, we get our taxes cut too," said Clinton "And what happens, the deficit goes up and the only choice is either to raise the taxes of middle class people by getting rid of their home mortgage deductions and charitable deductions and state and local tax deductions, one, two just gut the whole rest of the budget, which is what the Ryan budget does."
Clinton stated "the choice is clear in who to vote for," referencing Obama. He laid out the economic choice Americans face in the upcoming election by explaining that President Obama has been up front with what he intends to do for the economy, while Romney has kept his plans somewhat secretive according to Clinton.
While at the podium, Clinton professed his belief in Obama's plans for the United States and poked holes in Romney's platform of "being a numbers guy." The former president criticized the Republican candidate's plan to reconstruct Medicare into a voucher program.
Clinton also criticized the Romney/Ryan plan for Medicaid.
"They [Romney/Ryan] plan on cutting Medicaid by a third and sending it to the states. And they think Medicaid; we don't lose any votes over that, those are just poor kids," Clinton said. "Well those poor kids are our kids too and if anything happens to them; that's our future."
Towards the end of his speech, Clinton addressed environmental issues, including the need for alternative fuels. He made it a point however to say he is not insinuating shutting down every coal plant.
"Environmental groups, members of the coal industry and utility companies need to come together and discuss what advances can be made and how they can work together," said Clinton.
Clinton added that other countries are already turning to alternative means of energy. He specifically mentioned Germany's use of solar power, which, according to Clinton, is able to produce the same amount of electricity as 75 nuclear power plants.
Doors for the event opened at 1:30 p.m. Several members of the Democratic party spoke including former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.
7News and WTRF.com will have continuing coverage throughout the day Thursday on President Clinton's visit to Wintersville.
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