Supporters Come Out In Droves To See Hillary Clinton Speak At Universal City
UNIVERSAL CITY (CBSLA.com) — Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Southern California Monday to speak at a public lecture series.
The event, sponsored by the American Jewish University, was held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, but no press or cameras were allowed inside.
Her supporters, however, lined up an hour before the program began to catch a glimpse of the woman they hope will run for the next president of the United States.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time. I've really been impressed by the woman. I hope that she tells us that she's gonna run in 2016," said Candise Kovacevich.
After the program, however, the audience told CBS2's Dave Bryan that Clinton gave no indication that a presidential run was in her plans.
Fran Diamond was left with the impression that the final decision will be based on Clinton's personal considerations.
"I think she, right now, is measuring whether in four years she'll have the personal resolve that she can do it. I think that's about whether her health is good and her energy maintains," said Diamond.
City councilwoman and former mayoral candidate Jan Perry believes Clinton has been tested under fire and has what it takes to be a good leader.
"She's already functioned as the secretary of state, a United States senator, spent many years in the private sector, spent time in the White House, and is very definitive in the way she conducts herself," she said.
Perry added, "I think it would be transformative across the globe. Other countries have already had female presidents, but for some reason, the United States still hasn't crossed that bridge."
In recent speeches, including an address in the Southland last month, Clinton stayed away from any direct discussion about running for president and focused on issues.
Some younger voters, like Jason Rosen, said they like her support for Israel.
"I'd really like to see a pro-Israel president," he said.
"She definitely has a very good aspect within foreign policy and she has the experience of being the first lady…every first lady typically takes on a domestic issue, so she definitely has that," said Tobi Rosenzweig.
Clinton hasn't been saying much, but last week she dropped a hint in a speech in Toronto.
"I hope we'll see a woman elected because I think it would send exactly the right historic signal to girls and women, as well as boys and men, and I will certainly vote for the right woman to be president," she said.
