Bill Clinton Campaigns for Hillary Clinton in Alexandria

PHOTO: Former President Bill Clinton addresses a crowd in Alexandria Wednesday less than a week before the presidential primary; his wife former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is on the ballot, facing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; photo by Randy McCracken

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Former President Bill Clinton told a packed auditorium Wednesday in Alexandria why they needed to elect his wife Hillary Clinton for president, days ahead of Virginia’s primary Tuesday.

The former secretary of State faces “outsider” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on the ballot on Super Tuesday and possibly another “outsider,” GOP frontrunner Donald Trump if she wins the nomination. Both Sanders and Trump are appealing to frustrated voters this election year, pundits say.

“Why is there so much frustration?” Clinton asked. “I’ve got news for the Republicans, America never stopped being great. We just need to make it whole again. Hillary is running for president to put everybody in the picture.”

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Hillary Clinton’s plans call for providing incentives to companies to raise stagnant wages, making college student debt manageable and providing paid leave for families, Clinton told the crowd. ”If you take a public service job, you knock 20 percent off the debt. This means you can move out of your parents’ house.”

About 300 attended the rally Wednesday afternoon, braving threatening skies as thunderstorms began to move into the area; the event was also streamed live online by MSNBC.

Clinton, who was scheduled to speak at about 3:15 p.m., took the stage at the Durant Center at about 4:30 p.m., after being introduced by Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “He’s going to make a great first gentleman,” she said.

Clinton thanked supporters of Hillary Clinton for getting petitions filled out to get her on the ballot in Virginia and thanked Congressman Gerry Connolly and Congressman Don Beyer, who both spoke before he arrived, for their support. Hillary Clinton also has the backing of Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, as well as Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. McAuliffe helped manage her campaign in 2008 and is former chair of the Democratic National Committee.

A Christopher Newport University poll from Feb. 16 shows Clinton with a 12-point lead in Virginia over Sanders.

See photos from Wednesday’s event here, posted to social media: