New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling on Iowa’s Republican Congressman to join with Democrats in bringing home troops from Iraq. The Democrat presidential candidate told a crowd of about 300 gathered at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City this afternoon that they should start pressing Iowa Republicans to change their stance and help bring forces home.

Clinton says: "You know, we need more Republican votes. And you got a few Republicans in Congress from Iowa. And anything you can do to send a message to them. Because, you know, we’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep putting the pressure on them." Clinton says from now until the end of September, they’re going to keep the pressure on Republicans, "I think the Republicans are starting to get a little nervous, and starting to change."

Clinton says it’s time for President Bush to start listening to the public. Clinton urged the crowd to send their opinions to the President and let him know that there are a "lots of hardworking decent people here in Iowa that are anxious for him to change." She also asked them to be active in the presidential campaign. Clinton says the Bush’s popularity numbers show that both Republicans and Democrats have lost faith in the White House.

Clinton says the election has started a lot sooner than anyone expected because "So many Americans are just finished, they’re done with President Bush. And they want to turn the page and go on." Clinton started a two-day swing through the state that also included stops Friday in Charles City and Algona. Clinton today (Saturday) makes appearances in Emmetsburg, Sioux Center, and Sioux City.