Clinton lauded for urban agenda, gun control stances

A trio of the most powerful Democrats in Ohio's largest city touted the candidacy of Hillary Clinton as early voting moved into its second day in the Buckeye State.

"We wanted to be clear in our support for Secretary Clinton because she is the leader that Columbus needs and that Ohio needs in the White House," said the city's current mayor, Andrew J. Ginther, flanked by his predecessor, Michael B. Coleman, and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, outside City Hall today.

Ginther praised Clinton as "someone who can build on the great track record of President Obama in support of America's cities" and added, "Secretary Clinton has stood and delivered for America's cities for a decade."

Coleman said he is impressed by Clinton's "common sense and reasonable" stance on gun control.

Beatty noted that Clinton has met with the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice - all black youth slain by police officers - and can understand them because she is a mother herself.

"She understands that black lives matter. She understands that all lives matter," Beatty said.

Ginther said Clinton will win Ohio because she knows how to bring people together - and that will include many of the young people now backing Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Coleman said Ohio, always a leading swing swing state for the general election, also will play an outsized role in the primary as well.

"You can't win the White House unless you first win in Ohio," the former mayor said.

Coleman said he hopes Sanders will visit Columbus, because he may have never been here before.

When asked about the knife-toting terrorist who stabbed several patrons at a Columbus restaurant, Ginther said Clinton is "completely unmatched" in her qualifications to battle terrorism and keep America safe.