Bill Clinton Wednesday urged San Diego supporters of his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, to stay the course through the June 7 primary election no matter her large delegate lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
"We've got to run this race to the end," said the former president, who spoke for about 45 minutes before an audience estimated at 850 at the Balboa Park Club.
"She's got the best ideas to restore the middle class and restore upward mobility, both from poverty and working class into the middle class, and up," the 42nd president said. "She's got the best ideas to reduce inequality and increase investment in America."
He went through what he called "a laundry list" of topics, including healthcare, college costs, job training, immigration reform and the frustrations exhibited by voters during the presidential campaign so far.
Rosemary Straley was in the audience, and she told 10News about her admiration for Hillary Clinton.
"She is extraordinary, brilliant, achieving, absolutely the greatest role model for women everywhere," Straley said.
Army veteran Ralph Hughes, who had his picture taken with Mr. Clinton, added, "I actually wanted to see Bill Clinton. He's the smartest politician on the planet and I believe in Hillary and vets love this situation."
Clinton's speech came one day after Hillary Clinton lost the Indiana primary to Sanders, but lost only a small amount of her commanding delegate lead.
Tuesday's result was far more meaningful on the Republican side, where Donald Trump's victory prompted Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to suspend his campaign. Trump's only other opponent, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, is also reportedly preparing to drop out of the race.
Bill Clinton visit Los Angeles late Wednesday afternoon to rally support for his wife's presidential campaign. He spoke at the Garden Suite Hotel in Koreatown and is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Loyola Marymount University on Saturday.
It is not yet clear when, or if, Hillary Clinton will campaign in San Diego, where Sanders held a rally in March. She is scheduled to be in East Los Angeles tomorrow, and in Oakland on Friday.
