President Bill Clinton rallied voters at Palo Alto College’s Performing Arts Center on October 14, 2010.

"The government can’t guarantee your outcome, but it ought to give you a chance to live your dreams," Clinton said.

The former president’s visit to support Democratic incumbent Ciro Rodriguez, U.S. Representative for District 23, attracted hundreds of attendees.

The event highlighted Palo Alto’s growing prominence in the San Antonio community.

Dr. Robert "Bobby" Garza, dean of Student Affairs, said, "The venue brought some notoriety for the institution...there were several media outlets that actually came and witnessed this tremendous event."

The center was filled to capacity with a spill-over crowd who stayed to watch the event on a large video screen outside.

The event was an opportunity for Palo Alto College students to participate in the democratic process.

Rene Diaz, a student at Palo Alto, watched as the former president outlined the importance of going to the polls to vote.

Diaz learned of Clinton’s visit in a news story posted online at mysa.com. He waited for more than three hours to hear Clinton’s speech.

"I’m glad he came to the South Side of San Antonio...out of all the schools in the city, he came to Palo Alto," he said.

Diaz listened to Clinton’s message of patience. This message is especially important in this election cycle since Democrats are expected to lose seats in both houses of Congress.

"Obama needs more time than just the four years to repair the damage that was done during the Bush administration," Diaz said.

Clinton’s visit to stump for Rodriguez is a sign of just how important local races are to the Democratic Party.

According to Luis Mercado, director of Public Relations for Palo Alto College, the decision to hold the event on campus came just one day in advance.

"Here are the things that matter in this race: Where are we now? What should we do? Who’s more likely to do it?" Clinton said. "This is the greatest chance we’ll ever have. Don’t blow it."

Early voting began on Oct. 18 and continues through Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 2.