Bill Clinton slams 'awful legacy of the last eight years', claims he was criticizing Republicans

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Bill Clinton slams 'awful legacy of the last eight years'

Raw video: Former president speaks at campaign event in Spokane, Washington

Former President Bill Clinton slammed what he called the "awful legacy of the last eight years" during a campaign appearance for his wife, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in Washington state Monday.

Clinton made the remarks at an event in Spokane ahead of Saturday's Washington state Democratic caucuses.

"If you believe we’ve finally come to the point where we can put the awful legacy of the last eight years behind us," Clinton said, "and the seven years before that when we were practicing trickle-down economics and no regulation in Washington, which is what caused the crash, then you should vote for her."

The remarks appeared to be a shot at President Barack Obama, in whose administration Hillary Clinton served as secretary of state and whose policies she has defended in her primary campaign against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Republicans quickly seized on the statement, posting a video of the remarks to YouTube.

However, a Clinton spokesman told USA Today that the former president was referring to Republicans in Congress with his "awful legacy" remark.

"After President Obama was elected, Republicans made it their number one goal to block him at every turn," spokesman Angel Urena said. "That unprecedented obstruction these last eight years is their legacy, and the American people should reject it by electing Hillary Clinton to build on President Obama's success so we can all grow and succeed together."

Hillary Clinton has a lead of more than 300 delegates over Sanders in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination from primaries and caucuses following a sweep of five states March 15. Alaska and Hawaii also hold Democratic caucuses on Saturday, but Washington has the most delegates ultimately at stake with 101.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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