Clinton calls for investigation into Bhutto’s death

STORY CITY, Iowa – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who has tried to make her experience the central theme of her closing Iowa campaign argument, called Friday for an independent international investigation into the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

{mosads}In a solemn speech delivered in a packed elementary school gymnasium, Clinton said Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has lost credibility and criticized the Bush administration’s approach to Pakistan as having failed “on two levels,” the push for Democracy and the hunt for al Qaeda.

“It is… clear that the Bush policy giving Musharaff a blank check has failed,” Clinton said.

Clinton also called on Pakistan to proceed with “free and fair elections” as soon as a party replacement for Bhutto can be found “on as fast a track as possible.”

Clinton, who polls indicate remains in a three-way tie days before the Iowa caucuses, used Thursday’s assassination as a transition to discuss her experience and make a final plea for support as she storms the state by bus.

She said Bhutto’s assassination is a reminder that the next president will have to be ready to handle both current and future problems.

That is why we need to pick a president who is ready on day one to handle everything that’s on that desk [in the Oval Office] and whatever is coming through that door,” she said.

The senator also spoke at length about her legislative accomplishments, falling back on what she says are 35 years of experience in fighting for the underdog.

“If you want to know what changes I will make, look at the changes I’ve already made,” Clinton said, asking the crowd to “look at the arc of my life.”

On the issue of electability, Clinton promised she would run a tough general election campaign.

“You know, the Republicans have been after me for 16 years, and much to their dismay, I’m still here,” she said to applause.

While Clinton, like the media and other candidates Friday, focused on foreign affairs, polls suggest domestic issues have taken priority among voters.

Tim Oelschlager, a union member and plant worker at a John Deere factory in Iowa who attended the Story City speech, said he came to hear Clinton because he wanted to hear her positions on labor organization and job outsourcing.

Oelschlager said he is leaning toward caucusing for former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), who has made opposition to current administration trade policies a centerpiece of his campaign. But Oelschlager said he wanted to hear more from Clinton on his issues before making up his mind.

Oelschlager said he voted for former President Bill Clinton twice, and he has yet to see Edwards in person, something he hopes to correct soon.

Oelschlager, who said he is retired military, said that while foreign affairs is important, he is more concerned about his children’s future and the future of the U.S. economy.

He said his plant alone has lost “thousands of jobs” in recent years, and he is looking for a candidate that can stop that bleeding.

“That’s why [the jobs] issue is at the top of my line,” Oelschlager said.

Clinton took a couple of questions after she finished her speech. This followed news reports about how she has not taken questions at previous events, even though she traditionally had tried to set aside time at the end of her speeches for audience questions. Earlier Friday, it was reported that she would not take audience questions.

Click here for video