ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 7 - Speaking to students and community members at Washington-Lee High School, less than five miles from the White House, Senator Hillary Clinton made the case for herself as the better candidate versus each of her two closest rivals, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain.

"Are you ready for change?" she asked as she began her speech, bringing loud cheers from the near capacity-filled gym bleachers.

Most of Clinton's speech focused on the economy, education, health care, foreign policy and the environment, but her mentions of Obama and McCain brought the loudest ovations from supporters.

Just hours after news broke that Mitt Romney would exit the race, Clinton continued making her case against the Republican frontrunner. "It appears Senator McCain will be the nominee," she said "I'm afraid he offers more of the same. He can see our troops being in Iraq for the next 100 years. I want them coming home within 60 days of my inauguration."

With the delegate counts about even between Clinton and Obama after 22 states voted on February 5, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., could play a pivotal role in the race for delegates when all three hold primaries next Tuesday. A big win for either candidate could offer a springboard to the upcoming large states on the primary schedule. Texas and Ohio both vote on March 4.

Clinton mentioned Obama only once, but in doing so drove home to supporters what she feels is their most stark contrast. "The big difference between myself and Senator Obama is I think everyone should have health insurance," she said.

Though a large portion of the crowd likely won't be eligible to vote by February 12, Clinton asked that they, and people they talk to who will be voting, consider two questions before heading to the polls on Tuesday. "Who would be the best president on day one to walk into the Oval Office with two wars going on, with an economy falling apart and so much happening, and start solving our problems right away?" she asked. Clinton followed that by asking Democrats "who would be our best candidate to stand on stage with Senator McCain and talk about national security, the economy and all the other important issues?"

-- Kyle Trygstad