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WASHINGTON
Hillary Clinton

Clinton back in Iowa, talks economy, campaign finance

Tony Leys
The Des Moines Register
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a gathering at the home of Dean Genth, left, and Gary Swenson, right, Monday, May 18, 2015, in Mason City, Iowa.

MASON CITY, Iowa — Hillary Clinton vowed Monday to fight for more fairness for American workers as the economy continues to recover.

"We need to get back into the habit of actually rewarding workers with increases in their paychecks for the increases in productivity and profitability that they have helped" achieve, Clinton said to applause from about 60 Democratic activists gathered at a house in Mason City.

The former senator, first lady and secretary of state, who is the heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination for president, was beginning her second trip to Iowa since announcing her candidacy last month.

She has been focusing on small events, such as the one held here Monday. "Not only do I learn a lot, but I also feel like it's the best way to make those connections," she told the activists. "… It will also give me the kind of information I need to be a better president."

Among the things she said she's heard about on her travels is the drug-abuse crisis, including methamphetamine in Iowa and heroin in New Hampshire. She noted reports that more Americans are now dying from drug overdoses than from car crashes. "This is tearing families apart, but it's below the surface. People aren't talking about it," she said.

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Clinton said she's committed to reforming the political process, including by appointing Supreme Court justices who would rule against the kind of untraceable money that has flowed into the system since the Citizens United decision gave corporations more freedom to make donations. She said that if it takes a Constitutional amendment to change the situation, "I will work for that."

But Clinton, who is being supported by a so-called super PAC, said, "We also have to stand our ground, and we have to try to figure out how to get people to work with us for the betterment of our country, the betterment of people who need a good, positive support system."

Organizers said the crowd was made up of Democrats invited by the campaign, the local party or the homeowners, Dean Genth and his husband, Gary Swenson.

Genth, who is vice chairman the Cerro Gordo County Democratic Party, said in an interview that he supported Barack Obama over Clinton in the 2008 caucuses. Genth said he also liked Clinton then, but he went with the challenger from Illinois.

Genth, 65, said he believes Clinton has grown since then, including from her service as Obama's secretary of state. "There is not a living, breathing human being on the face of the Earth with her resumé and experience and background."

Clinton has come under fire from Republicans for taking few questions from reporters during the early weeks of her candidacy. She took no questions from reporters at Monday's event, and the press was ushered out of the house as she began to greet voters after giving her 25-minute remarks.

State Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kauffman renewed the criticism Monday with a statement emailed to reporters covering Clinton. "Hillary Clinton still refuses to answer simple questions about her unseemly financial dealings, secret email server, or disastrous foreign policy. Polls show Iowans already find Clinton untrustworthy and her actions have confirmed their suspicions."

Clinton spokeswoman Lily Adams issued a statement in response to the criticism: "The focus of our ramp up period is to hear from voters about the issues they care about. She's enjoyed engaging in hours of public question and answer sessions and, as the campaign progresses, looks forward to more engagement with voters and the press as well."

Clinton is scheduled to make a stop Tuesday morning at a bike shop in Cedar Falls.

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