The address bookends Obama’s career-launching address to the Democratic convention in 2004, his contentious 2008 primary battle with Clinton and his eight years in office. But he is also expected to paint a vision of America that is far more optimistic and filled with vitality than the picture a nation under siege from crime and terrorism laid out by Trump during his convention last week.
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“I know Hillary”, he said. “I know Hillary.” He argued she was the only candidate who would be there to help struggling Americans. Sure, we have real anxieties – about paying the bills, protecting our kids, caring for a sick parent. “We get frustrated with political gridlock, worry about racial divisions; are shocked and saddened by the madness of Orlando or Nice”.
But Obama said that as he has crisscrossed the United States during his presidency, he has seen “more than anything, is what is right with America”. Would he be accepting the nomination for president in Philadelphia himself instead of cheering Hillary Clinton’s nomination instead?
Greeted with thunderous cheers as he walked on stage just before 11 p.m., Obama told the delegates and a national TV audience that “nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office”. “She’s been part of those decisions….”
He acknowledged Clinton had made mistakes, but compared her to Teddy Roosevelt’s valiant striver who errs, but also knows great triumphs. “Tim Kaine is the best candidate Hillary Clinton could have possibly chosen for Vice President”, said former NC Gov. Jim Hunt.
“His lack of empathy and compassion can be summed up in a phrase he’s most proud of having [been] made famous: ‘You’re fired!'” said Biden.
Yet this touchstone presidential moment had been a decade or more in the making. “That’s a bunch of malarky”, Biden said. “This guy doesn’t have a clue about the Middle Class. Not a clue”. The delegates erupted into a chant, “Not a clue!”
Biden said Trump was unable to handle the complexities of a unsafe world. “No major party nominee of the history of this nathion has every known less or been less prepared to deal with our national security”.
Biden said Americans are strong and push through hard times. “Everybody knows she is tough. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me”. I know why we have held together.
In addition, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged the country to unite around Clinton. “God help us”, he said at another.
He quipped that unlike Trump, he didn’t start his business empire with a “million dollar check from my father”.
Trump, Biden says, is coming from a different place.
Needless to say, Trump is no Eisenhower.
“The bottom line is: Trump is a risky, reckless and radical choice”. “We can’t afford to take that chance”.
I’m from NY.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing”, Trump told reporters.
And this was before the 10-11 p.m. hour, which included the speeches by Kaine and the president.
“You can not believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth”.
“Our nation is too great to put it in the hands of a slick-talking, empty-promising, self-promoting, one-man wrecking crew”, Kaine said.
Soon after Panetta spoke, the Trump campaign released a statement criticizing the former defense secretary’s stance. He casts Trump’s criticisms of the current state of American politics as criticisms of the American ideal itself.
Democrats said the comments were the latest demonstration that Trump is unqualified to be commander in chief. Bernie Sanders, have grumbled about Kaine being on the ticket, particularly because of his support for “fast track” approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.
They have contrasted Clinton’s long experience and foreign policy skills with Trump’s maverick position on global relations, which Clinton campaign chair John Podesta has described as.
The FBI recommended not to bring criminal charges against Clinton earlier this month related to her private email server.
He appeared deeply emotional as he began to take his leave of the nation he has led.
“How can there be pleasure in saying “You’re fired”?”
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“That’s the unbreakable spirit of the people of America”, he said.
