Bill Clinton: Republicans Scared Of Running Against Hillary
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With the primary elections in Illinois a week away, former President Bill Clinton was in Chicago on Tuesday, stumping for his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The former president told nearly 1,000 people inside and outside the Beth Emet Synagogue they should vote for the woman he called "the best change-maker I've ever known."
Clinton said his wife didn't do anything in Washington that didn't have some Republican support, and he said the Republicans running for president are nervous.
"They're scared to have to run against her, because they know if she becomes the president, she'll be the grown-up in every room, and she'll find a way to get them to do something good for America," he said.
In a sometimes meticulous speech, Clinton made the case for the former First Lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State becoming president.
"She's running for president to put everybody in the picture. She's running for president so we can all rise together. She knows we can't do it unless we have inclusive economics, inclusive social policies, and inclusive national security policy, and inclusive politics," he said.
After Clinton had been speaking more than 40 minutes, some people snuck out of the rally, but the former president hammered home the point Hillary Clinton has accomplished much, and will do more as president.
"The most important reason to vote for her is that we cannot wait any longer. Finally, we can rise together," he said.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports Clinton delivered a message directed at young voters anxious for change, like college kids smitten with Bernie Sanders.
"He's very straightforward and our generation is very much tired of the walking around the problem and not really addressing what the conflict is," said Northwestern student Fathma Rahman.
NU student Fallon Andrews said she was leaning toward Sanders but, "this kind of made me change my ideals a little bit, so I'm not sure at this point."
Annette Wallace said outlining the issues will help Hillary Clinton's campaign.
"People react to Hillary differently. He frames everything. He explains everything. He truly is the Secretary of Explaining," she said.
Wallace said she couldn't stop smiling as Bill Clinton spoke.