Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, viewed as Democrats'presidential front-runner, roused a crowd of 3,000 activists Monday with calls for higher wages, better health care and fairer elections.

Clinton used the rally to push the Democratic agenda items she shares with ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, including watchdogging Ohio's next election.

Without naming him, Clinton suggested on the last day of ACORN's national convention that Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell has a conflict of interest in running the bellwether state's next election because he is running for governor.

"That should not permitted,"Clinton said, to screams and cheers from the crowd. The New York senator urged ACORN members"don't let anyone pull anything over your eyes again."

Blackwell campaign spokesman Carlo LoParo said Ohio's Constitution allows the chief elections official to seek office while on the job. Ohio's current governor, Republican Bob Taft, was secretary of state when he ran for office the first time, for example.

"The 2004 election has been reviewed, re-reviewed and reviewed again, and found to be have been conducted fairly and accurately,"he said.

The group planned to end its convention with a march and rally at the Ohio Statehouse, supporting an increase in the state minimum wage to $6.85 an hour from the federal minimum of $5.15.

ACORN members in red T-shirts leaped to their feet, shouted and banged drums when Clinton said she has introduced legislation that will forbid Congress from giving itself any more pay raises until the federal minimum wage is raised.

Clinton also blasted the Bush administration for its handling of Hurricane Katrina.

"It is still hard to believe that our country, our government, would turn its back on the people who were in need,"she said."Even Noah got some notice. He got to build his ark."

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.