Hillary Clinton talks guns, goes after Sanders at Iowa State

The Brady Campaign, an organization promoting gun reform, president Dan Gross introduces Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton during an event at Iowa State University, on Jan 12 in the Benton Auditorium.

Rakiah Bonjour

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton touted her stance on gun control and challenged Bernie Sanders on his stance, while also talking about the economy, health care and education during her visit to the ISU campus Tuesday morning.

While making her case on why she is the best Democrat for the job, she went after Sanders’ history on guns, setting up a contrast with her challenger just weeks from the Iowa Caucus.

Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign, introduced Clinton and offered his and the organization’s support to her campaign. The Brady Campaign, named after former White House Press Secretary James Brady, who was shot along with President Ronald Reagan, works to reduce gun deaths and gun injuries through legislation.

“There probably isn’t any corporate lobby stronger or more influential in picking politicians to be elected, and intimidating them once they are, than the gun lobby,” Clinton said. “Anybody who cares about real reform in our political system, who cares about making a difference that will — literally in this case — save lives has to stand with us against the gun lobby. That is an absolute must.”

Clinton has gone after Sanders and said she would be better to stand up against the gun lobby as president.

Clinton offered support to President Obama for his recent executive actions on guns while chastising fellow presidential hopeful Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

“We’ve got one of the leading candidates running for the Republican nomination, Ted Cruz, bragging that he stopped the bipartisan legislation,” she said. “Shame on you, Ted Cruz, for trying to politicize this horrible mass murder instead of working to find solutions.”

Clinton shifted from gun control to speak out about involvement in bipartisan politics.

“I want to make the case to you, that as high as the stakes are, given what the Republicans stand for, given what they are advocating — what they will do — should they be the winners?” Clinton asked. “We have to take this election more seriously than any other in recent history, I really believe this is a turning point election.”

Clinton also talked about her history against “trickle-down” economics, saying she “fought for the people” and voted against tax breaks for the rich while she served as a New York senator.

“I say this all the time, and I hope you’ll share it with your friends — the Republicans get annoyed with me but that’s nothing new — the economy does better when we have a Democrat in the White House,” Clinton said. “”My goal is to raise income on the middle class, not raise taxes on the middle class.”

Clinton offered her respect and admiration for fellow Democratic candidates, Sanders, and Gov. Martin O’Malley, saying she is “proud to stand on stage with them” but she did not treat the other Republicans candidates as lightly.

“There’s a difference between us,” Clinton said. “I want to defend the Affordable Care Act, I think it was a single, historic accomplishment that our country finally reached. Do I think it’s perfect? No, I don’t think it’s perfect, but do I think it’s a great foundation? Yes.”

Her campaign has also been going after Sanders, especially in the midst of the Brady Campaign endorsement, for his history of votes against gun control. The campaign has singled in on a vote he made in the Senate that would not shield gun manufacturers from liability in deaths.

Clinton discussed education and that community college should be free and four-year universities should be debt-free.

“We can transform how young people get education,” she said.

Maddie Rastall, senior in public service and administration in agriculture, has seen Clinton speak publicly three times.

“I’m a Hillary supporter,” Rastall said. “[She] would be more successful pushing legislation through and compromising with the Republicans.”

Ames resident Phillip Zarring is still undecided for the Iowa Caucus, but doesn’t want to discredit the process.

“Caucusing is very important, so important to these candidates,” Zarring said. “It’s always good to be involved.”

Newton resident Jerry Jones has committed to Clinton.

“She fights for the working class. She listens. She’s approachable,” Jones said.