Bill Clinton Campaigns For S.I. Rep. McMahon
NEW YORK (AP/WCBS 880) -- Former President Bill Clinton appeared at a Wagner College rally Friday with first-term Democratic Rep. Mike McMahon on Staten Island. McMahon is among a handful of House Democrats in New York believed to be vulnerable in November.
Clinton told the crowd that McMahon would be criticized during the campaign for voting for President Barack Obama's $800 billion stimulus plan. Clinton said the bill had saved millions of jobs and had given middle class Americans a modest tax cut to that allowed them to spend more and keep the economy moving.
Clinton also said Republicans left the national economy a "mess" and would make matters worse if they reclaim control of Congress, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
LISTEN: WCBS 880 Reporter Marla Diamond reports from Staten Island
"If you vote for his opponent, and these other people that are running around the country get elected, when they are sworn into office, they will have one hand on the Bible and in the other hand, they'll be holding a shovel so they can start digging again," Clinton said.
The former president praised McMahon for his independence, noting he had voted against Obama's health care reform plan.
"The one thing you've got to say about this guy is he has been truly independent," Clinton said.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
