Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke at the University at Buffalo Wednesday night. The sold out event was part of the university's Distinguished Speakers Series.
Thousands were in attendance at Alumni Arena for the former First Lady, Secretary of State, and U.S. Senator’s first appearance in western New York in five years. But, during her speech Clinton was heckled about the happenings in Benghazi. She didn’t stop talking but did address the situation by saying:
“We have to be willing to come together as citizens to focus on the kind of future we want, which doesn’t include yelling. It includes sitting down and talking to one another.”
Clinton said Buffalo hold’s a special place in her heart. She commended the work being done along the city’s waterfront and on the Buffalo Niagara medical campus.
“Efforts like this will help reverse the brain drain and make western New York a place where young people want to stay, work, and live. Now across Buffalo we’re seeing seeds that were planted over the last decade and they’re starting to bear fruit,” said Clinton.
Polls show Clinton would be the leading contender for the white house in 2016 if she decides to seek presidency again. When asked if she would run Clinton steered away from the question. She said the ideal candidate is one who believes in America’s future.
“So, it would be really important that whoever throws their hat into the ring be prepared to engage the American people in a conversation about what you think, and what you believe, and what you want. I’m hoping that we will see that as a possibility and move away from the slash and burn politics, the name calling, ” said Clinton.
Clinton’s speech was followed by a question and answer portion. She was asked about women’s equality issues around the world. She said countries that don’t invest in women are making a silly mistake.
“It’s also really counterproductive. We now know that where girls and women are oppressed, denied education, denied access to the labor markets, countries don’t succeed to the extent that they could,” said Clinton.
Clinton was also asked by audience members when she was going to become a grandmother. She answered by saying she doesn’t know, and there’s no pressure on her daughter Chelsea, but she would love to be a grandmother.