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EMBEDDED REPORTER: Tim Irr Follows former Pres.Clinton's WV Tour Save Email Print
Posted: 10:21 AM May 9, 2008
Last Updated: 9:30 AM May 10, 2008
Reporter: Tim Irr
Email Address: tim.irr@wsaz.com


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WSAZ Anchor Tim Irr is following former President Bill Clinton's tour through West Virginia Friday. Keep Clicking for continuous updates here.


6pm Update
We just arrived (in St. Albans) 10 minutes ago. The crowd at Wayne and St. Albans filled the gym at each school. Everyone was just let into the gym to await Clinton's arrival. Clinton is still running behind on his schedule but supporters don't seem to mind the wait even though there is a light rain setting in.

4:24 Update
Editor's Note: I asked Tim Irr if he could send us any quotes from former President Clinton on stage. Tim wrote that Mr. Clinton explained why he's going to all the rural locations of West Virginia.
"They send me out to the small towns cause I'm kind of like the rural ambassador," Mr. Clinton said.

3:38 Update (Cell service is shaky at best in Southern WV)
I can say this much about former presidents: they have fast cars. I could swear we left Madison before the Bill Clinton motorcade, and yet they whipped us here! Same basic speech, bigger crowd here at the Williamson Fire Station and definitely more local politicians in the crowd. You expect someone like WV State Senator Truman Chafin, who introduced President Clinton, to be here. But I'm talking a ton of candidates in their Sunday best, shaking hands, kissing babies and posing for cell phone pics. The former president wrapped things up a bit faster this visit. With that speedy motorcade, he may actually get back on schedule at his next stop in Wayne.

11:33am Update
With an overflow crowd cheering wildly, former president Bill Clinton arrived at the Madison Fire Station. Although he is more than an hour behind schedule, the crowd was still hanging in there. From here, he moves on to Williamson in Mingo County, then on to Wayne, St. Albans and Ripley. Right now, he's talking a lot about Hillary's plans for lowering fuel prices, alternative fuels and affortable health care. Bill Clinton can still deliver a message in the same, plain spoken, down home way that attracted crowds like this when he was president. Sounds like he's wrapping up. On to Williamson we go.

10:34am Update
Sure, a former US President is in town, but one of the more interesting side stories here in Madison is MTV and Jesco White's family. The Dancing Outlaw's kin is apparently the subject of an MTV documentary... and their backdrop today just happens to be Bill Clinton's visit. Like they say, "Rock the Vote!".

10:12am Update
First Stop: Madison
People are buzzing, the national media are pacing, and local police are anxiously awaiting the arrival of secret service. That's right. It's ten o'oclock and there's no sign of them. Problem is, no one's allowed in the venue here at the Madison Fire Station until Secret Service gets here... and President Clinton will arrive sometime after that. So, several hundred folks wait in the rain. However, no one seems to mind.

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Posted by: MMR on May 14, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I must state that I stood in Ripley, WV for two hours to see "the man" Bill Clinton which was much worth my while. It was an awesome experience. What I would like to offer up for thought related fodder is the fact that our "super delegates" are not casting the vote as per the voice of the WV voters but, they are casting as per their own personal thought process and feelings. Check out the web, see that our elected officals have dedicated their super delegate vote to Obama although the voice of WV said, Go Hillary! Write to your elected officals and say that they should be a voice for the people that place them in office! I hate to think that the vote I cast on Tuesday has no meaning to Rockefeller and Rahall, as they pledged to Obama prior to the election. Mollohan is still undecided as is Byrd. I would think that it would be the civic responsibility of our elected officals to finish what the people started and place the super delegate ballot where the people state!

Posted by: anonymous in Boone co. on May 12, 2008 at 12:50 PM
As I sit here listening to Obama I am stunned at the names of the people in attendance at the event however, I hope many are there to boost their own political aspirations and not to support Obama. Boone County welcomed Bill Clinton with open arms and showed their love and support by enduring the rain in order to see him. Jesco and Mamie were the side show to keep the crowd entertained while they waited. Their daddy was a deacent man who would not respect how they are acting. Their mother is laying in a hospital in bad condition right now. Jesco, your 15 minutes of fame are to be used to show respectable evidence of mtn culture. Don't waste it. Hillary is not my first choice but in the country today you have to be a multi millionaire to afford to stay with the race long enough to really see how much support you have. Some of the best candidates have already thrown in the towel because they don't have the financial backing to keep going, however they would have made good Presidents.

Posted by: MS on May 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
To Emily, Go to your local video store or look Jesco White "The Dancing Outlaw" up on the Internet. The video can be ordered on line also. It's good for a few laughs.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 07:07 AM
GO HILLARY CLINTON! PRESIDENT 08! WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN UP AFTER BUSH AND HIS PEOPLE!

Posted by: Jennifer on May 10, 2008 at 04:14 PM
To Anonymous at 10:22 AM: the reason your factory shut down is because your dear ol Bill Clinton came up with NAFTA and Hillary supported it. you obviously don't know anything about Obama's plans since you and most Obama haters can't seem to get past the whole Jerimiah Wright situation. Geez get over it and talk about politics! We are voting for a President not a pastor! If you think Wright is awful take a look at McCain's spiritual adviser Rod Parsley. No wonder Islamic people hate us so much!

Posted by: Ruby on May 10, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I had the honor of helping prepare for the event at Holly Gray Park, in Braxton County on Thursday. President Bill Clinton was very open and warm to the people here. He has an honest sense of the working class that hasn't been seen in national politics since he was President. I'm sure Hillary is the one who can pull this country up by the boot straps and get us going in the right direction again, if anyone can. As she said in one of here speeches, "It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and will take a Clinton to clean up after another Bush!"

Posted by: Hobert on May 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
All you hear in the news is Hillary And Obama, little is ever said about McCain. WHY would Democrates want Hillary to drop out when they are getting all that free air time?

Posted by: Bebop on May 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Hillary/Jesco for president 2008

Posted by: anonymous on May 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
This comment is for Brenda..She needs to get a life..As for Hillary and Bill..that is this countries DREAM Team would be HILLARY AND BILL!!When he was president..there were no high gas prices..He froze them...we need apresident for the little people.. the ones who hold miniam jobs and the ones who used to make up the middle class...(remember those) before the Bush years.My husband worked in a factory..that was booming with orders for their product..during the Clinton years..since then the doors have been shut.. How many plants have closed during the Bush years..how many others don't have Insurance for their familys?? Obama doesn't have answers for these questions..too busy in helping his Pastuer sread his teachings ..to worry about plants closing..or at least how you were going to pay that next bill..or buy your needed medicines..Go Hillary..It will Take a Clinton to get this country out of the mess of the Bush years!!Not an OBama..Besides ask yourself who would beat McClain.

Posted by: Melinda on May 10, 2008 at 10:15 AM
GOD FORBID WE ASK QUESTIONS THAT MAKE SENSE. FINALLY, SOMEONE FINALLY STOOD UP TO HIM AND AS WE ALL SEEN HE GOT MAD, IF YOU GET THAT MAD OVER A SIMPLE QUESTION OF TRUTH THAN THAT'S A PRESIDENT YOU DON'T WANT IN. BESIDES DO YOU NOTICE THAT EVERYTIME HILLARY IS THE ONE RUNNING BUT SHE NEVER COMES HERE ITS BILL. SO WHY ARE WE LISTENING TO HIM ANYWAYS WHERE IS SHE ALWAYS AT? HOW WOULD SHE HAVE ANSWERED THAT QUESTION? SHE IS LIKE THE LEGISLATURE THAT NEVER SHOWED UP FOR WORK FOR A YEAR. BILL ISN'T RUNNING SO WHY DOES HE COME WHEN IT SUPPOSE TO BE HER SPEAKING HER LIES ON WHAT SHE'S GOING TO DO FOR AMERICA.

Posted by: Michelle on May 10, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I hope all will vote for Hillary, it si a snmart choice. Please stop giving Oboma so much praise in your news.

Posted by: Joe on May 10, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I saw ol Bill get riled up on the news at someone in the audience. Someone must have taken his twinkies. They probably wouldnt let Bill around any girls over the eight grade level.

Posted by: Brett on May 10, 2008 at 07:32 AM
I can't think of a better person to cover a presidential candidate than Tim Irr. I'm thankful that Tim got this chance to cover such a historical event. I'm still undecided. Leaning toward Mccain.

Posted by: Emily on May 10, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Who is Jesco?

Posted by: Doug on May 10, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Lori, you had a privilege to meet one of the most famous people of our generation. Bill isn't a normal person by any means, how many people on a hard schedule would have stopped there. This tells you a lot about a person and this other energy he has can't be explained to anyone that hasn't met him. You know what I'm talking about...

Posted by: lori on May 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
i think it is great that bill is going around wv trying to help hillary ..its nice that he stopped at kermit k-8 when he saw our whole school outside waiting for him and he got out and talked to us .we did'nt exspect him to stop we thought he was just going to drive by ..but he made my dream come true by shakeing my had .....i started crying because i think bill is awesome...

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 09:32 PM
I got the pleasure of seeing Bill on his last Campaign tour! Seeing him again was a great honor! I supported Bill then, and now I'm supporting Hillary! IT TAKES A CLINTON TO CLEAN UP AFTER A BUSH!! GO HILL!

Posted by: nanny on May 9, 2008 at 07:10 PM
I was so glad to see President Clinton stop to see the kids at Kermit-K8.They were so excited to see him. It was history in the making. To Tim Irr the red head you were talking was my daughter. She was tickled with your autograph.

Posted by: =) on May 9, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Today was awesome I got to shake Bill Clinton go Hillary

Posted by: Cherie on May 9, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Wouldn't waste my time. Make sure all the young women are out of the way! He may assault another one and ruin her life.

Posted by: bobby on May 9, 2008 at 06:26 PM
to Anonymous i bet you live in logan

Posted by: Jill on May 9, 2008 at 06:14 PM
It was nice to see all of the Boone County students out to see President Clinton. Students of all ages were in attendance to witness this exciting day in our town, and I was impressed with how well they handled themselves. This was a great educational opportunity for them!

Posted by: Phyllis on May 9, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Shame on you WSAZ for highlighting the Jessco White family above the President of the US. The school children had walked several blocks to hear and see the president. It's media coverage like this that makes WV look like back hills uneducated deadbeats. Bill Clinton should have been top priority coverage in Madison WV today. This is election 2008, I am interested in what the leadership of our country has for us, not the Jessco White family. Jessco drives thru our community daily, but the President only visits maybe once.

Posted by: Phyllis on May 9, 2008 at 05:52 PM
12 minutes into the 5 o'clock news and wSAZ gave more air time to Barack HUSSEIN Obama then the former president Bill Clinton. I was shocked and then turned the channel. I am appauld at what little coverage Madison WV got on the visit from President Clinton. I also, am even more shocked at the "on the scene" coverage given to Jessco and Mamie White documentary. SHAME ON YOU...The 15 minutes of fame from the President of the US coming to small town Madison, should have been TOP story, and not given to Barack Hussein or Jessco White. They're time in the spot light should have been another day......

Posted by: D on May 9, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Mr. Clinton was great!!! He stopped by Kermit K-8 and shook everyone's hands!!!! Go Clintons!!!

Posted by: Brenda on May 9, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Be INFORMED!! (4-12 most telling) Clinton Files: "Bill & Hillary Clinton: Their Secret Life" -- #1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0-HkVcMOSw #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls9yD4ZC6tA #3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qetpi5PvFDI [Whitewater] #4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo5yF-hu9C4 [drug trafficing, kick backs, murder, Tyson,weapon running] #5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szhm3JzJvA [continued #4 scary as hell, Foster] #6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G1T4153NUk [Foster in depth] #7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ibkrOqVh0 [Foster cover up, Roger Clinton, Bill, underaged females, drugs, Parks & Ferguson murder] #8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSqui14_674 [Ferguson cover-up,Mahoney,McDoogle,Lawhone,Ron Brown 33,Niko Jersick,Shelly Kelly murders] #9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6LWcH2aOT8 ["Filegate", Communist China dealings,contributions,Waco,KGB,John Huang,Riady Family ties] #10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjwp8J6FexA [Riady Family con't,China Mob "Triads"staying in White House, Chaoying #11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiTwpe-lZXk [PLA 'treason',COSCO,Military Secrets to PLA,Johnny Chung ties&favors,Gore,death list beginning.] #12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2oTgaU4Gxg [Death list con't, more- http://www.1984arkansasmotheroftheyea...

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Well I also Had my MRDD clients to see Bill Clinton and one of the middle school teachers was encouraging the students to rush the doors. That was so nice of a teacher to tell the kids that, just run over everyone even Handicap people. But hey I just left with my clients because of the way everyone was treating them. They are HUMAN! And I will tell ya that the White family would have had some respect for my clients!

Posted by: MS on May 9, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Hey quit bashing Jesco! He's got more sense than the idiots running for office anyway.

Posted by: hillary all the wya on May 9, 2008 at 03:16 PM
congratulations wv we laid eyes on the first man today if you dont make that happen your stupid

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 03:12 PM
GO HILLARY.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 02:57 PM
madison just showing what kind of fools they are again.what a joke.they act like Jessco and his family are rulers of this county.

Posted by: anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Hey I wish I could have missed work to see Bill!!!!!! Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Common on May 9, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Um, Lisa did you see Tim in the crowd? How is he supposed to know you walked some students to the event?

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 02:16 PM
BILL,JESCO AND MAMIE ALL AT ONE VENUE! ROCK ON

Posted by: Lisa on May 9, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Shame on You! As community members across Madison and Boone County awaited anxiously and with pride to see former President Clinton, you did not hi-light that social studies teachers from the neighboring middle and high schools walked their students six blocks to the local fire department so they could witness history. No, you hi-lighted the 'famous' Jessco waiting in the crowd as onlookers were horrified that once again this is how our small community is noticed in the media. In the audience were retirees, members of local government, the community bank, and local school system because Madison, WV has not had a Presidential visit since 1959 when JFK come to the steps of the court house and asked the citizens of Boone County for their vote. This was a grand day for our community because our votes on May 13th count ... Across our state we stand with pride and yet your 10:34 posting was about Jessco. You were delighted to find him in the audience, encourage him, & take his picture

Posted by: Kathy S. on May 9, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Now BILL????Yep, I'd vote for him AGAIN in a heartbeat!I may go for Hill just because I figure HE will have some input and he was a really good Prez IMHO Now I'm conflicted. Not crazy about any of the 3 running BUT I sure don't want 4 more years of what we have now. I thought I'd go for Obama BUT when I see Bill & hear him speak to us lowly hillbillies, I'm starting to swing towards her just because of him. He's still got it too,that "it" factor. He's the smartest President we ever had. Plus we weren't on the verge of WWIII every day with him & the economy was doing fine. All that surplus he had amassed for us & this administration wiped that out in no time, PLUS getting us into trillions in debt. I wish Bill could run again. Wish he could have had another term like FDR because I wasn't ready for him to go. He is a powerful speaker & he just might swing me to his wife. HOPEFULLY if she wins HE will have a LOT of input. MR. PRESIDENT, we need YOU!

Posted by: Dr. Jesko on May 9, 2008 at 11:46 AM
this just makes me all warm and fuzzy.

Posted by: David on May 9, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Tim: Ask President Clinton if he believes his wife can get 73% of the remaining elections because that is how much of the vote she needs in order to secure the nomination.

Posted by: Chewy on May 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Draft Dodger

Posted by: Jim on May 9, 2008 at 10:36 AM
running of the bull or is that another story?

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