Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during her campaign rally at Cal State San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA on Friday, June 3, 2016.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised more jobs for “hard-working people right here in the Inland Empire” during a campaign stop at Cal State San Bernardino Friday evening.
“Hello, San Bernardino! I am so excited to be here!” said Clinton, voice hoarse after day of campaigning.
Clinton acknowledged the region suffered hard during the Great Recession. She said Obama doesn’t get enough credit for turning things around, a trend she vowed to continue.
“Let’s get some more infrastructure jobs! More roads, more bridges, more trains,” she said.
PHOTO GALLERY: HILLARY CLINTON IN SAN BERNARDINO
The speech had a decidedly economic intro, with Clinton stating her desire to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
“We invent a lot of things in America, and I think it’s time we start to build those things in America,” she said.
She lauded California for raising the minimum wage and said she would make sure the nation follows.
“We’re also going to make sure that women get paid fairly, with an equal wage,” she said to loud cheers from a predominately female crowd.
“If that’s playing the women’s card,” Clinton started, then was joined by the crowed: “Deal me in!”
A later segment of the speech focused on the decision to go after al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Clinton said she was one of the advisers pushing for Special Forces to get bin Laden, rather than using a drone.
The SEAL team took women and children out of bin Laden’s compound before it blew up the crashed helicopter, she said.
“That to me is what honor looks like. That to me is what America stands for,” Clinton said.
She also touched on other subjects:
Immigration — “We must finally have a path to citizenship with comprehensive immigration reform.”
Her presumptive Republican opponent — “I am going to expose Donald Trump’s lack of qualifications to be president and commander in chief.”
On terrorism — “I will do whatever I can to protect America and Americans. … There is no higher or more solemn responsibility.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, a Clinton super-delegate, worked up the crowd before her arrival.
“We need a leader who will be our next president, take us to the next level and bring jobs to the Inland Empire,” he said. The Republican primary to square off against Aguilar in 31st Congressional District has become a battle in its own right.
“We need to do everything in our power to make sure she becomes president,” Aguilar said as hundreds anticipated Clinton’s arrival.
Afterward, her supporters gathered around for a chance to take selfies with the candidate.