Beth Pearlman | Posted 11:02 a.m. Feb. 4
Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop in the Twin Cities Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s Minnesota caucus, pulling in 4,000 supporters who trickled into the Augsburg College gym for several hours ahead of her appearance.

The crowd spilled into an outside area where closed-circuit monitors followed the events for those who couldn’t get inside.

It was late afternoon – about an hour before Super Bowl kickoff – when the candidate arrived following a campaign stop in Missouri.

Folks on their feet anxious for Clinton’s appearance got the first hint of her arrival when the traveling press and secret service rushed in just ahead of the candidate.

She swept onto stage along with former Vice President, Walter Mondale and the student chairs of the Augsburg and University of Minnesota Clinton campaigns.

Mondale proceeded to warm up the crowd, reaching a high point when he proclaimed "Hillary Clinton is exactly what the nation needs… " and announced he was proud to "introduce the next president of the United States," Hillary Clinton.

Clinton spoke forcefully despite her hoarse throat and lack of sleep, opening with her promise that "some people think about the next election, I think about the next generation."

She vowed "I see an America where we are competitive with the rest of the world … Where we don't give one penny of taxpayer subsidy" to companies that American move jobs overseas.

Clinton got rousing applause for promising she "will end the unfunded mandate known as 'No Child Left Behind" and for a program of national service for college students to work off school loans.

Rally-goers offered a range of reasons why they headed to Augsburg on Super Bowl Sunday to see and hear Clinton.

Neil from Rosemount said getting US troops out of Iraq was his issue. Mark and Jesse both in their 20's said that the environment tops their agenda. Jim of Minneapolis worries about "power gone amok" in this administration, saying he hopes Clinton will restore respect for the Constitution. Joyce of Minneapolis felt health care is her biggest concern, but considers Clinton is right on so many issues. "Hillary's got it all covered," she said.

Clinton ended with her often repeated promise to begin removing America troops from Iraq, but to do so responsibly and carefully. "I don't want a Democratic or a Republican foreign policy" she exclaimed "I want an American foreign policy."

Clinton wrapped up her speech saying "they've been after me for 16 years, and much to their dismay, I'm still here!" and her supporters went wild chanting "Hillary ... Hillary ... Hillary."