Clinton coming to California to campaign with Jerry Brown

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The Big Dog is coming to California.

Former President Bill Clinton is to campaign with Democratic gubernatorial nominee and former presidential rival Jerry Brown in a series of events up and down the state next month. Lt. Gov. candidate Gavin Newsom fills out the Democratic bill. Both candidates’ campaigns announced the news Friday, saying that events are planned for Oct. 15 and 17 with more details to come.

The announcement settles some speculation about how much bad blood remains between Clinton and Brown from the acrimonious 1992 presidential primary. Clinton endorsed Newsom in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. He also made an unlikely appearance in the race in a Meg Whitman attack ad. The Republican used footage from an old debate showing Clinton attacking Brown on his tax record. As the Times has reported, the information that Clinton used has proven to be inaccurate.

Help from Clinton seemed to be in doubt this week after Brown made a joke at the former president’s expense to a group of Democrats, referencing the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Brown apologized and Clinton’s endorsement quickly followed.

“I am very pleased to have the endorsement of President Clinton, and I look forward to campaigning with him and with Gavin Newsom,” Brown said in a statement. “President Clinton accomplished a lot for California, and we have a ticket that will accomplish a lot for California’s future.”

-- Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento