Clinton To Unveil Terrorism Strategy During Minnesota Visit
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- Democratic Presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton will be unveiling her counter terrorism strategy in a speech at the University of Minnesota on Tuesday.
The speech was added to her schedule late last week in the aftermath of the terror attack in San Bernadino, Calif., and a firestorm over Republican front-runner Donald Trump's remarks to ban Muslims from entering the country.
In the aftermath of the attack in San Bernadino, polls show fears of a terror attack are at the highest since Sept. 11, 2001.
"Potentially this is a defining speech for her presidential campaign," Professor David Schultz of Hamline University said.
Schultz, who has just co-authored a book on presidential politics, Hillary Clinton's speech needs to be a delicate balancing act.
"How she stands on this issue, how she navigates the different conflicts, including civil liberties immigration, distancing herself from Obama while embracing him and dealing with Trump, all of these things come together in this speech," Schultz said.
Clinton was quick to condemn Trump's remarks that Muslims should be barred from entering the country.
"It's not only shameful, it's dangerous," she said last week in Iowa.
But new polls show Trump widening his lead in the aftermath of his remarks.
"She has to deal with the fear factor," Schultz said.
Schultz says it's no coincidence that Clinton is making the speech here. Minnesota remains a top state for terror recruiting. Just last week, another young Minnesotan was arrested and charged with trying to join ISIS and his friend was charged with threatening to kill FBI agents.
Somalis in Minnesota have tried to stop the recruiting with strong anti-terror messages and programs aimed at creating opportunities. Minneapolis is one of three cities participating in a Justice Department pilot program that seeks to combat terror recruiting by engaging young people in their communities. The Minneapolis program will include a mentorship program, youth leadership opportunities and other initiatives, with more than $850,000 in public and private funding secured so far.
Clinton planned to point to local efforts in the Twin Cities as evidence that "America has what it takes to meet this challenge," her campaign said.
"Her giving a speech here is an effort to say 'Here is where I stand on the issue of terrorism and ISIS,' but at the same time address some of the concerns about civil liberties and immigration issues," Schultz said.
Clinton is expected to be joined at the speech by a number of prominent members of Minnesota's Somali- American community. However, Minnesota's most high-profile Muslim politician, Congressman Keith Ellison, will not be there. His office says he has to be in Washington for votes. He also endorsed Clinton opponent Bernie Sanders.
After Tuesday's speech, Clinton will be attending a fundraiser at the North Loop nightspot the Muse. That fundraiser will feature Garrison Keillor, The Steeles and Michael Bolton.
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