Clinton , the front - runner in the race to become the Democratic presidential nominee , delivered her speech as she seeks to shift her attention to the Nov. 8 election against likely rival Trump and away from Bernie Sanders , a U.S. senator from Vermont , who is continuing his long - shot bid for the nomination . Clinton was speaking in San Diego ahead of California 's June 7 primary election . Democratic Party leaders have fretted about how to best oppose Trump , who managed to knock out all 16 rivals for the Republican nomination in part with his uninhibited style of assailing conflict.attack.selfdirectedbattle them with personal insults . Trump revels in referring to Clinton as " Crooked Hillary " and dredging up the infidelities of her husband , Bill Clinton , the former president . Clinton 's remarks were intended in part to show she would not be cowed and that she could go toe - to - toe with him in scornful put - downs .

It later came out that more than 900 of the 1,600 seats were given to local and national GOP officials . ( Trump mentioned during the debate that he had only his wife and son there in comparison , but few picked up on what he was saying . ) Pundits , meanwhile , lined up to congratulate Jeb for " assailing conflict.attack.na " Trump – " Bush is finally going for it , " The New York Times wrote – but the exchange really highlighted many of the keys to Trump 's success . Trump had said things that were true and that no other Republican would dare to say . And yet the press congratulated the candidate stuffed with more than $ 100 million in donor cash who really did take five whole days last year to figure out his position on his own brother 's invasion of Iraq .