Clinton tells R.I. voters she needs them

Senator Hillary Clinton greeted supporters at a campaign stop in Providence yesterday. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

PROVIDENCE - Senator Hillary Clinton told Rhode Islanders she is not overlooking their March 4 primary as she attempts to blunt Senator Barack Obama's momentum following his victories in 10 straight contests across the country.

"Rhode Island is right up there with Ohio and Texas," Clinton said to an estimated crowd of 5,000 in a gymnasium at Rhode Island College yesterday, aligning New England's smallest state with those some say are key to sustaining her campaign for president.

Clinton played up the differences between her universal healthcare plan and Obama's healthcare proposal in the rally and later at a roundtable discussion, which came a day after she blasted the Illinois senator's campaign for what she said were misleading mailers criticizing her plan.

"His plan cannot cover everybody because his plan does not require that everybody be covered," she said in the 35-minute speech.

"Senator Obama says I'm going to make people get healthcare whether they can afford it or not. That is false, it is misleading, and it has been discredited, and yet his campaign continues to say it."

Obama has stood by the mailings.

"What I really don't understand is how anyone can run to be our Democratic nominee for president who is not committed to universal healthcare," Clinton said. "We're Democrats. We stand for the principle that every single person should have quality affordable healthcare."

After leaving Rhode Island College and before she visited Boston for fund-raising last night, Clinton heard from healthcare workers and citizens who have struggled to pay for their families' healthcare at a sometimes-emotional discussion at the El Pais restaurant in Central Falls.

Nadine Bonanca, a mother from Tiverton, R.I., described the high cost of healthcare for her son, who suffered from a brain tumor and a stroke. She said the state's health insurance program for children, RIte Care, was essential.

"Without RIte Care, my son would not be alive."

Laurie Heltman, a business owner and single mother of two from Smithfield, R.I., choked up while describing her family's reliance on the children's health insurance program. And Angelo Garcia, director of a Central Falls community center, said he sees the impact on families when parents do not have health insurance.

Clinton pointed out that while Obama's healthcare plan would mandate coverage for children, it would be optional for adults.

"If you've done this work as long as I have, then you know that a sick parent has a terrible impact on the lives of children," Clinton said.

"A sick parent can lose the livelihood, lose the job. So, to say yes, we're going to take care of kids, but not take care of their parents, it doesn't work."

Local police estimated 200 to 250 people gathered outside to cheer Clinton as she emerged from the restaurant.

Voters at the Providence rally said they were excited that the Ocean State was on the radar of candidates in the heat of the nomination battle. While the high-stakes contests in Ohio and Texas will yield a combined 334 delegates, 21 pledged delegates are at stake in Rhode Island.

"I'm pleased we have all these people coming to our tiny state," said Sally Johnson, 39, of Ashawa, R.I., a cosmetologist and student at the Rhode Island School of Design. "It's an interesting time for people who don't usually make a difference."

Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, campaigned in Rhode Island last week. A Brown University poll conducted Feb. 9 and 10 showed Clinton leading Obama 36 percent to 28 percent in the state, with a large percentage of voters uncommitted to either candidate.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, and Congressman Jim Langevin appeared with Clinton at the events.

"We can make a big difference," Whitehouse told Clinton supporters. "The country is watching. We can't let Massachusetts out-do us here. We've got to do a good Rhode Island job for Hillary Clinton."

Clinton won the Massachusetts primary 56 percent to Obama's 41 percent Feb. 5.

Johnson said she is undecided and that she is not sure whether the country is more prepared for a female or a black candidate. She said electability would be an important factor in her decision.

"I think both of them are very strong candidates," she said.

Sophia Hawkins, a 23-year-old Republican who plans to vote Democrat this year, said she supports Clinton. "She has way more experience," said Hawkins, a college student.

"The other guy, he's a smooth talker but he doesn't have as much experience as Hillary."

Clinton continued pressing the case that Obama may give inspiring speeches but she has the experience to lead the country.

"I could stand here and say, 'Let's just get everybody together. Let's get unified. The sky will open, the light will come down; celestial choirs will be singing, and everyone will know we should do the right thing, and the world will be perfect,' " she said, drawing laughter from her supporters.

"Maybe I've just lived a little long, but I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be. You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear."

Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio, and Texas all hold contests March 4.

Former president Bill Clinton has said his wife must win in Ohio and Texas if she is to remain in contention for the nomination.

John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.