With time drawing close for Pennsylvania’s primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton stepped on stage and pledged to fight for the middle class.

A Clinton presidency will “get back to what works in America,” the candidate said Sunday evening in a speech at Greater Johnstown High School’s gymnasium.

“I’m offering leadership that you and your families can count on,” Clinton told a fired-up audience of at least 1,400.

Clinton, who is battling fellow U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, was flanked by two key supporters who may help her win votes Tuesday: Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown.

While Clinton is leading in polls of Pennsylvania Democrats, she still trails Obama in the popular vote and delegate count nationwide.

Pennsylvania’s election is seen as a critical test for Clinton’s candidacy, and Rendell said local voters could assist the senator’s attempt at a comeback.

“Every time the media has counted her out, she’s come fighting back,” the governor said.

Murtha’s endorsement of Clinton could carry added weight this year because the congressman is one of the party’s “superdelegates” – officials who might play an important role at the Democratic convention in August if the race is still undecided.

Murtha, before introducing Clinton as “the next president of the United States,” said the campaign is generating “enthusiasm I haven’t seen in a long time.”

In an interview Sunday night, Clinton said Murtha has been “extremely helpful.” She noted that he is a prominent expert on military and national-defense matters.

“I hope that Congressman Murtha’s very strong support sends a clear message,” she said.

During her short speech in Johnstown, Clinton stuck to the same bread-and-butter issues that her husband and daughter have emphasized in local stump speeches: The economy, health care, education and energy.

On the war in Iraq, Clinton reiterated an opinion she shares with Murtha: U.S. troops should be withdrawn. She pledged to begin bringing soldiers home within 60 days of taking office.

“There is no military solution,” Clinton said. “The future of Iraq is up to the Iraqis.”

With the campaign heating up in its final days in Pennsylvania, Clinton also took several shots at Obama.