KDP fundraiser: Clinton says Kentucky has 'huge role' on May 20

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton on Friday night in Louisville: Getty Images PhotoLOUISVILLE -- U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke for nearly 30 minutes Friday evening, touching on a breadth of issues. The presidental hopeful's day-long journey took her from a 9:30 a.m. roundtable discussion in Portland, Ore., to a 7 p.m. state Democratic Party fundraiser at the Kentucky International Convention Center, while still exciting her supporters throughout the night, she appeared tired after the extensive day of cross-country campaigning.

Most significantly for the state's political climate, the U.S. senator from New York reiterated her campaign's belief that Kentucky could prove important to her remaining arguments that she deserves her party's nomination.

"It's especially important for me to be here tonight. Kentucky always picks the president," said Clinton. "Kentucky will play a huge role a week from Tuesday in the primaries."

Yesterday, Clinton's national campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe called Kentucky "crucial" to helping Clinton beat U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in popular votes -- an argument the Clinton campaign feels will help them sway superdelegates in the run up to this summer's convention.

Clinton catered some of her remarks to the Kentucky audience, arguing that the commonwealth is winnable for Democrats this election cycle, despite GOP wins here in 2000 and 2004.

"For too long, Democrats have let places like Kentucky slip out of the Democrat column because too many people felt our party didn't speak to their values and concerns," said Clinton. "But I believe if you don't stand for hard working middle class Americans you don't stand for much."

Clinton also referenced clean-coal technology, a popular issue in the mining-heavy state, and also referenced another popular Kentucky export.

"The last time I was here I got a Louisville Slugger," said Clinton, referring to the town's famed baseball bat model. "I want you to know it was an appropriate gift because I will always go to bat for you."

At times, Clinton seemed to be arguing for Democrats in general, as opposed to her own candidacy. She used the term "the eventual nominee" on more than one occasion while discussing the political climate.

Still, she did not hesitate from making her case to attendees.

"The only way we get a Democrat in that White House come next January is to win in November. The only way we can win is if we have 270 electoral votes," said Clinton. "Look at the map and see how we can win those votes and see which candidate is more likely to win."

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