With 'New Voice,' Hillary Delivers Economy Speech, Criticizes Bush

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Sounding more like a general election candidate than a woman locked in an attritional battle for her party nomination, Hillary Clinton accused the Bush administration of having "delivered a foreclosure notice on the American dream" in an appearance that has just finished.

Clinton's economy-themed remarks here at Furman University, one of Greenville's two colleges—the other being Bob Jones University—included sharp attacks, as well as her characteristic wonkish level of detail.

At one point she asserted that progress would have to wait "until the two oilmen leave the White House."

She also noted that Monday would bring President Bush's final State of the Union address:

"It's enough to make you want to burst out in song—but I'll spare you," she said, drawing laughter.

Clinton avoided direct mention of her Democratic rivals, though she did echo some previous lines of attack against Barack Obama.

"True unity can only be achieved by finding real solutions," she said. A lack of ability to deliver, she added, would bring only "division and disappointment."

Clinton, at times, deployed the personal tone that first came to the fore during her now-famous emotional moment on the eve of the New Hampshire primary.

On the subject of the turmoil in the real estate market, she talked about "the feeling of refuge and security I feel when I walk into my home." She sought to draw a parallel between that feeling and the experience of people who take pride in a new home despite being unable to afford all the furniture they need.

Clinton took questions for around 25 minutes after her speech. Several audience members made approving references to her husband.

And one young man told her that he had met both Obama and Edwards but when "I looked into your eyes, I could tell that you cared about people like me."

But not all questioners were committed supporters. Twenty-eight-year-old David Robbins asked Clinton about her willingness to work with Republicans.

Afterwards, he said that he had been "a little bit comforted" by her reply, which included mention of working with South Carolina Republican senator Lindsey Graham.

But Robbins, a registered Democrat, added he had yet to decide who to vote for on Saturday.