Former prez speaks in Baker City Sunday

BAKER CITY — Former President Bill Clinton will campaign on behalf of his wife Hillary Sunday at noon in Baker City.

The free campaign appearance is set for the lawn outside the Baker County Courthouse, 1995 Third St. No tickets are required, and the public is welcome, said Julie Edwards, Hillary Clinton's Oregon Communications Director.

Bill Clinton will also speak in Pendleton and Redmond Sunday. He will be at the Helen McCune Recreation Center main gym, 510 SW Dorion Ave., in Pendleton starting at 9 a.m.

Sen. Clinton, D-N.Y., is pitted against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in an uphill race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. The winner will face the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Sunday’s event is scheduled to last 90 minutes.

People who plan to attend the former president’s talk are encouraged to visit www.hillaryclinton.com/bakercity to register, Edwards said.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring their marked ballot to drop off that day at a secure location, Edwards said.

All attendees will be asked to sign in before Clinton speaks, Edwards said. One lucky attendee drawn at random will have the opportunity to meet the former president.

The fact that the Clintons are willing to travel outside the vote-rich Willamette Valley is an indication that the Clinton camp still believes Oregon might be in play — and that no corner of the Beaver State will be ignored.

“The campaign believes it’s important to reach as many voters as possible,” Edwards said. “President and Senator Clinton are out traveling the state. It’s a good chance for voters to come out and hear the (former) president talk about why he believes she is the strongest candidate for the nation.”

She said the former president typically “speaks on a wide range of issues, especially how Hillary’s policies affect all Americans and Oregonians. We are excited to talk to folks east of the Cascades.”

The former president is also scheduled to speak in Pendleton and Redmond Sunday, and possibly at another location, Edwards said Friday night.

Clinton’s campaign aides are relying on media outlets, phone banks and word of mouth to boost the number of people at Sunday’s rally, Edwards said.

Edwards said Sen. Clinton is calling for another debate with Sen. Obama before Oregon’s May 20 primary — a debate Clinton would like to focus on rural issues.

“We want voters in Oregon to be able to take a look at both candidates,” Edwards said.