Both Clintons seen as big draw in US campaign

CONCORD, NH, Sep 2 (Reuters) For John Hoar, who has been voting in US presidential elections longer than Hillary Clinton has been alive, one of the best reasons to elect her president is that she has seen how the job is done first hand.

''I have been following her since she showed up here with her husband in 1992. He did a good job as president and so will she,'' the 86-year-old Hoar said as he waited to glimpse the New York senator and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

The Clintons were back on the campaign trail -- she running for the Democratic presidential nomination in the November 2008 election, he drumming up support for her in the early voting state of New Hampshire.

''Yes, I think she can do it,'' Hoar said smiling and echoing Hillary Clinton leading the campaign rally crowd in refrains of ''Yes, we can.'' on several occasions.

Leading her Democratic rivals by more than 20 points in most national polls, Hillary Clinton, 59, toured the state where her husband's second place finish in the 1992 primary helped pave his way to the White House.

More than 4,500 people showed up in Concord before the Clintons headed off to the state's fair and then to another rally in Portsmouth.

''If you are ready for change, I am ready to lead,'' Clinton told the cheering crowd on the state house lawn, promising to restore America's standing in the world, rebuild the middle class and shatter the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman elected U.S. president.

''We need to see a woman in the White House. It is about time for the country to accept that,'' said Doris Gagne.

For many of those who turned out to cheer the candidate and her husband, Hillary Clinton's resume and personality alone is enough to win their votes.

''She has the best shot to take it all the way,'' said Patrick Troy, describing her ''experience, determination, guts and drive,'' as key ingredients that will get her elected next November.

But for many, the man standing next to the candidate is an equally big draw, giving Hillary Clinton something extra no other candidate can claim.

Dressed in white jeans and an open-necked shirt, Bill Clinton looked tanned and relaxed as he was introduced to the crowd as the ''husband of the future president of the United States.'' He got as much applause as she did.

''Hillary has someone in the house who can give her a lot of good advice. Bill Clinton knows what to do,'' Hoar said.

For decades, Labor Day weekend has been a time for U.S.

politicians to kick off campaigns in earnest and for American families to spend time together. This year, the Clintons followed tradition on both fronts.

Still Bill Clinton's campaigning also threatened to overwhelm her candidacy and to remind voters of the scandals that tarnished his administration including his impeachment in the Monica Lewinsky affair.

''I fear her political enemies will be dragging up a lot of the muck,'' Gagne said.

Reuters BJR VP0135