Former President Bill Clinton stopped in Vancouver on Monday in an effort to ensure Hillary Clinton maintains her healthy delegate lead over her opponent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Bill Clinton told the crowd of as many as 1,000 at Clark College his No. 1 goal was to urge them to caucus on Saturday, the initial step in electing delegates to the Democratic National Convention where the party’s presidential pick will be nominated.
The former president also touted his wife’s economic policies, diplomatic experience and her efforts championing a host of liberal causes from advocating for an increase in the minimum wage to pushing for paid family leave.
“She is qualified today to deal with these very hard questions, in a world far more hostile than the world I encountered when I took the oath of office in 1993,” Clinton said. “I believe, in terms of fitting the times in which we need a president, she’s the best qualified person I’ve ever had a chance to vote for.”
Bill Clinton visited the area the day after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., hosted a rally at Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver. Although Bill Clinton and Sanders touched on similar topics throughout their speeches — from climate change, to immigration and prison reform, to rebuilding the middle class and the Citizens United case and campaign finance reform — the tone was markedly different.
A younger, more vocal crowd of about 5,000 packed the Sanders rally Sunday. The candidate was often interrupted by thunderous applause and chanting of his name.
At the event at Clark College, the vibe was more mellow, and Clinton delved into more detailed specifics of Hillary’s plans.
Bill Clinton said the former secretary of state’s education plan includes a “system where every young person can graduate completely debt free from any public institution in this country.”
The former president said Hillary Clinton would increase Pell grants, allow everyone 10 hours a week of a work-study program, and believes those in the upper-income brackets should help their younger family members pay for college.
And perhaps the most important component, Bill Clinton said, would be the ability to consolidate and refinance high-interest loans.
“Did you know college loans are the only loans in America you can’t refinance?” he asked the crowd.
The crowd, which included many Clark College students, replied, “Yes.”
Clinton also spoke about other policy differences between Hillary Clinton and Sanders.
One of their big differences, he said, was their take on the federal Export-Import Bank, which he added, “most Americans have never heard of.”
The bank helps U.S. companies sell their products abroad, and Hillary Clinton wants to see it expanded, Bill Clinton said, adding that Sanders didn’t.
The president showed up about an hour late and joked it was due to traffic on the Interstate 5 Bridge. Before arriving in Vancouver, he was in Portland at Powell’s bookstore, where Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she is endorsing Hillary Clinton.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, whose book, “Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy” has a forward written by Bill Clinton, introduced the former president. Inslee said he has known Hillary Clinton since 1992.
“We’re going to elect Hillary Clinton the next president of the United States,” Inslee said.
