Clinton urges Montana voters to back "change," outlines education, tribal sovereignty and health proposals

At a campaign event at Rocky Mountain College in Montana, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton urged voters to support "change" and outlined policy proposals on education financing, tribal self-determination and health care.

Clinton said the United States needed a different economic approach and described a package of ideas he said would expand opportunity for working- and middle-class Americans. "We want change. We want change in the economy and the way this government treats its people," he said.

Clinton framed his education plan around a proposed "National Trust Fund for Education." Under his description, the fund would make college more accessible and require repayment "in 1 of 2 ways. Either as a percentage of your income at tax time so you can't beat the bill, or even better by giving 2 years of your life at reduced pay in an American Peace Corps to rebuild this country." Clinton said the program would also guarantee two years of further education or training for people who do not attend a four-year college.

On tribal policy, Clinton said he had sought to deepen ties with Native American leaders during the campaign and argued the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs should play a smaller role in decisions for tribes. "Turn the power back to the tribes and cut back on the Bureau of Indian Affairs," he said, urging more tribal sovereignty in local decision-making.

Clinton also addressed health care and welfare. He said the nation should "control health cost and provide basic health care to all Americans through the private system," called for tougher child-support enforcement and said welfare recipients should receive more education and training with a requirement to work when able.

He recounted personal encounters to illustrate his themes: an 83-year-old woman who said she had never voted but registered because she was "concerned about my country," and a young couple with college degrees who could not find work. Clinton said such meetings underscored the urgency of his proposals.

Clinton asked Montanans to elect Dorothy Bradley as governor and to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming election, saying "fight on to lift up this country" and urging turnout on Election Day. He repeatedly contrasted his proposals with the policies of his Republican opponent, arguing for a focus on economic growth that benefits more Americans.

The remarks combined policy proposals with campaign appeals; Clinton did not present legislation or formally adopt rules at the event.