Bill Clinton Makes Surprise Visit To Detroit

“I’m trying to encourage people to just go and claim their future,” said Clinton.

Jake Neher/WDET

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is organizing one last push to make sure Michigan supporters show up to vote next week. 

Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance to Detroit on Wednesday night, which continued with an unannounced trip to Eastern Market on Thursday morning.

He told reporters that he’s not worried about Hillary losing Michigan — unless people stay home on Tuesday.

“I’m here – and I was here last night – because I’m trying to encourage people to just go and claim their future,” said Clinton.

“If you have a low turnout, the antis are more likely to come out than the pros,” he said. “So all we’ve got to get is the people who see this and see the future to come out and vote and she’ll be fine.”

The former president spoke at length with Dayne Bartscht, who is opening a brewery in Eastern Market. Bartscht says the visit was exciting for Clinton supporters in the neighborhood.

“I think it gets the city excited,” says Bartscht. “I mean, I was already planning to vote for Hillary, so it doesn’t really influence me. But I’m going to be telling all of my friends about today, and I’m sure it’ll start to get the word out even more than he has.”

Hillary Clinton is also expected to visit Eastern Market on Friday to rally supporters.

Most polls suggest the former secretary of state has a moderate-but-steady lead in Michigan over Donald Trump heading into next week’s election. 

 

Jake Neher/WDET

 

Author

  • Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network.