HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT An energized Sen. Hillary Clinton lets Pahrumpians know where she stands. The candidate focused her remarks more on Republican failures than on her Democratic contenders. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Bernie Toy of Pahrump Arts makes his feelings clear during Monday's event. Advertisement

Sen. Hillary Clinton, (D-N.Y.), former First Lady and a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, stumped her way through Pahrump and spoke to a packed Skate Zone crowd Monday.

Clinton arrived for her "Conversation with Nevadans" just before 1 p.m., getting a warm welcome from an overflow crowd as part of her "Ready to Lead the West" tour.

After being introduced by Nye County School District Superintendent Dennis Keating, who announced his public endorsement of the candidate, Clinton told the people who leapt to their feet when she entered the room she was "overwhelmed by this crowd."

The New York senator explained that her Nevada campaign crew told her to expect only about 200 people to show up, at most.

In fact, the 1,200 tickets available had run out by Monday morning, and Pahrump Fire Chief Scott Lewis felt it necessary to start turning people away -- even those with tickets -- to maintain a safe environment.

Many of the attendees inside the building, however, included notable locals such as Pahrump Town Board Chairman Laurayne Murray and Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett.

Long before Clinton arrived, even as early as 9 a.m., a myriad of supporters, volunteers and civic participants were already crowding the arcade section of the youth recreational facility on East Calvada Boulevard.

As the former First Lady began her "conversation," a large crowd gathered outside the doors.

Looking out over the crowd in front of an enthusiastically waved "Husbands for Hillary" sign, the former White House resident laid down the planks of her campaign platform.

"If you're ready to change, I'm ready to lead," Clinton told the crowd. "I want to go to the White House with Pahrump and Nye County and Nevada."

Given the cheering mass, it was hard to believe the former first lady was campaigning in a historically staunchly Republican state.

The former White House resident told the crowd about her plans to strive for more energy independence, find a practical way to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq and work on achieving affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

Clinton stressed the fact that Nevada, as the fastest-growing state in the country, could play a crucial role in the need for energy independence.

"I had to think as I was driving from Las Vegas, boy, we could have solar farms all the way from Vegas to Pahrump," Clinton said. "Nevada is a place for geothermal, for solar, for wind, I mean so many other options."

The senator then promised that "I will be a president that tackles global warming. It is real, and it is a problem."

When it came to health care, the former first lady promised to work not only for reform, but also for a system that focuses on preventative care as well.

"I know some of you remember I tried that before," Clinton joked about the firestorm that erupted during her husband Bill's first term as president when she attempted to lead the way toward a national health care program.

In addition, she stressed the need for health care for children, pointing out legislation passed twice by Congress for child health care had been vetoed by President George Bush.

"I think it's time to veto George Bush," Clinton said.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Clinton reminded attendees that she served on the Senate Armed Service Committee.

"You can't just wake up one morning and say, 'Bring 160,000 troops home,'" Clinton said. "Bringing home troops can be really dangerous, so we've got to plan. And I don't know that the Bush administration is planning."

The senator said she asked the administration to brief Congress on its plans for troop withdrawal and said, "They sent me a letter saying I had no right to ask that question. But given their track record, I think everyone's asking that question."

On education, Clinton touted her support of teachers and the need to make college more affordable for the middle class.

In addition, she emphasized the need to "persuade families that they are their child's first teachers" and start programs that would allow 4-year-olds to enter pre-kindergarten schools.

Internationally, Clinton stressed the need to "repair damaged relationships" between the United States and other countries.

She finished by reminding the assembled supporters, "I'm not running for president as a woman. I'm not running for president because I'm a woman. I'm running for president because I believe that I'm the most qualified candidate."

The senator then took several questions from the audience, who waited for assistants to make their way through the crowd and hand them a microphone.

The first concerned the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the questioner's concern about "unelected officials controlling trade."

Clinton responded by stressing the need for enforcing trade agreements.

A girl under the age of 10 took hold of a microphone for a moment to tell Clinton, "I love you."

Although she was told by Keating it was time for the last question, Clinton stuck around to answer a few more from the crowd, including one from a man who said he worked for her husband for a number of years and adamantly declared his support.

Before heading to back to Las Vegas for another event, Clinton stuck around to sign autographs and pose for pictures with admirers.