5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 26, 2014
From Hillary Clinton speaking in Florida to Demi Lovato singing in concert, here are five things occurring in Florida on Wednesday.
By: ABC Action News
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5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Video
The Associated Press Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton speaks to a group of supporters and University of Miami students at UM in Coral Gables, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
By MICHAEL J. MISHAK/Associated Press/February 27, 2014
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Hillary Rodham Clinton praised Arizona Gov. Jan Brewers decision to veto a bill that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays.
Speaking Wednesday to thousands of students, faculty and guests at the University of Miami, the former secretary of state and New York senator said Brewers rejection of discriminatory legislation recognized that inclusive leadership is really what the 21st century is all about.
Clintons remarks came before an address in which she called for greater civic participation in the country, urging young people to find ways to make sure the barriers that too often divide us are torn down once and for all.
It is the work of this century to complete the unfinished business of making sure that every girl and boy, every woman and man, lives in societies that respect their rights no matter who they are, she said.
Clinton has been traveling the country giving speeches at various trade industry events while considering another presidential campaign. The former first lady expects to make a decision whether to run later this year.
In a question-and-answer session, Clinton urged young people to sign up for health insurance under President Barack Obamas health care law as a key deadline approaches.
Having access to health insurance, not connected to employment, subsidized as it is under the Affordable Care Act, liberates you to choose what you want to do in your life, she said.
The White House has set an unofficial goal of 7 million enrollees by the end of March. Nearly 3.3 million people, or less than half the total, had enrolled through the end of January.
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CORAL GABLES
The one question on everyone's mind was the one she didn't answer.
Hillary Clinton spoke for 62 minutes Wednesday evening without giving a clear indication of whether she plans to run for president in 2016.
There were a few tantalizing tidbits, though, from the former secretary of state, former U.S. senator, former first lady and unsuccessful candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
The final question of the night, read to Clinton by University of Miami President Donna Shalala, asked her to amplify on the "TBD" on her Twitter biography.
She laughed and the audience roared. "I'd really like to [answer]," she joked, explaining she couldn't because she was out of space on her Twitter profile.
As to what she'll do next, Clinton said, "I will certainly ponder that."
Speaking to about 6,100 University of Miami students, faculty, staff and guests starting and ending her time on stage by making the school's "U" sign with her hands Clinton:
Described Venezuela as a democracy more in theory than reality. "Other than elections, there "aren't many characteristics" of democracy, citing the need for a free press, protection of opponents' rights and an independent judiciary.
Praised Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's veto of anti-gay legislation, which Clinton termed "discriminatory." Her comment drew one of the strongest rounds of applause of the night.
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Hillary Clinton doesn't tip her hand during UM speech | Video/Photos
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton didn't wait long to applaud the veto of an Arizona law that would have allowed businesses that asserted their religious beliefs the right to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.
In the first minutes of a speech at the University of Miami Wednesday night, Clinton lauded the fact that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer -- a Republican -- vetoed the legislation that supporters said protected religious liberty.
"Thankfully the governor of Arizona has vetoed the discriminatory legislation that was passed, recognizing that inclusive leadership is really what the 21st century is all about," Clinton said to the 6,000 people who assembled at the south Florida institution.
Brewer announced just hours before Clinton took the stage that she had decided to veto the bill that had created a national firestorm. Brewer said she made the decision she knew was right for her state.
Clinton used the Arizona law to frame the rest of her remarks, weaving between the rights of gays and lesbians to the rights of people with disabilities. The former first lady pulled greatly from her career and her education at Wellesley College and Yale University.
"It is the work of this century to complete the unfinished business of making sure that every girl and boy and every woman and man lives in societies that respect their rights no matter who they are, respects their potential and their talents, gives them the opportunities that every human being deserves, no matter where you were born, no matter the color of your skin, no matter your religion, your ethnicity, or whom you love," Clinton said to applause.
As much as Clinton's speech looked back at her history, though, there were also overarching forward-looking themes in her remarks.
"I hope that your generation will be a true participation generation," she said. "I hope you will find ways to make sure that the barriers that too often divide us are torn down once and for all."
Clinton also commended the young people in the audience for being the "most open-minded and tolerant we have ever seen."
Clinton's speech comes as the former secretary of state eyes a presidential run in 2016. She is the frontrunner for her party's nomination, with poll after poll showing she laps all other possible Democratic challengers.
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Delivering the keynote address at the 2014 meeting of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged Obamacare is imperfect but praised many of its reforms and described the law as an overall good.
I think we are on the right track in many respects but I would be the first to say if things arent working then we need people of good faith to come together and make evidence-based changes, Clinton said before claiming that [p]art of the challenge is to clear away all the smoke and try to figure out what is working and what isnt.
Clinton celebrated Obamacare provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents health insurance plans until the age of 26, as well as those that provide free preventative care. Speaking about beneficiaries of these elements of the law, as well as the millions who have received health insurance through it, Clinton said to take away what has now been provided would be a great tragedy.
This is going to be challenging and I dont think we should throw the baby out with the bath, she added.
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Between her remarks and a question-and-answer session with the groups board chairman, Scott MacLean, Clinton did not offer specifics on how she would change Obamacare.
Instead, she asked the audience of medical professionals and information technology specialists to play a role in the reforms.
Clinton synthesized her views on Obamacare near the end her answer for MacLean, stating that those in power needed to be smart about the reforms and changes that have to occur.
So sitting here today, I think that the glass is slightly more than half full in terms of the positive reality, Clinton concluded. If there are things that are going to undermine quality, increase cost, than we have to know about them.
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