HAZELTON - Presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke to Buchanan County Democrats at a fundraising dinner Saturday night, part of a whirlwind weekend tour of the state that also included stops in Johnston, Marshalltown and Newton.

Clinton was the guest of honor at the Buchanan County Democrats' 39th Sustaining Funds Dinner at the Sportsman.

Clinton blasted the policy of President George W. Bush, saying that there was "a sense of failism (sic) in Washington."

Iowa's First Lady, Christine Vilsack, joined Clinton at the fundraiser. Governor Tom Vilsack and the First Lady have backed Clinton in her bid for the Democratic nomination in 2008. Clinton worked with Christine Vilsack's late brother, Tom Bell, in Washington, D.C., during the impeachment trials of President Richard Nixon.

"You can tell who Hillary Clinton supporters are by the soles of their shoes," said Christine Vilsack. "It's people on their feet who are working very, very hard."

"I was honored and personally pleased when Tom and Christie signed on to my campaign," said Clinton.

The Senator from New York held the crowd's attention with the promise of universal health care. "We're the richest country in the world, and we're the smartest country in the world," Clinton said. "So why are we spending so much money without getting our money's worth?"

Clinton also talked about promoting renewable fuel sources, but said that the country needed to promote forms of renewable fuel beyond ethanol. "Ethanol is a really important piece of the puzzle, but we are going to have to look at other types of biofuel."

Of particular interest to small Iowa communities, Clinton said that as president she would give the entire country access to high speed Internet. She said that this process was "as important as electrification."

Clinton applauded the efforts of congressmen Bruce Braley and Tom Harkin, and was pleased with the state of Iowa's progress in the area of preschool education. She also presented awards to Pam Hogan and Duey Donnelly, who were named the Buchanan County Democrats of the Year.

Contact Drew Andersen at (319) 291-1418 or drew.andersen@wcfcourier.com.