CINCINNATI – A day after Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton addressed members of the American Legion at their 98th national convention in Cincinnati, Republican nominee Donald Trump made an appearance Thursday morning before the veteran’s organization with a message that, if elected, he will rebuild the military.
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Clinton hit Trump sharply on his past statements questioning the idea of American exceptionalism – he’s said “I don’t like the term” – and his suggestion that he may not honor America’s agreements with its allies if the United States is not getting enough out of the deal. “It is an extraordinary blessing”. “He wants people to believe he is the leader that can keep them safe and secure from terrorism around the globe and that you do that by approaching it from a position of power before diplomacy”, Comer said. “We are also an indispensable nation”.
“You may wonder how anyone can disagree”, Clinton continued.
In a comment that has sparked criticism from many Republicans, Trump has called the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military alliance obsolete although he has since pledged to work with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to defeat Islamic State. She said that’s because they know she believes “in a bipartisan foreign policy”, promising to work with everyone on global issues. “But my opponent is wrong when he says America is no longer great”, she said.
The term “American exceptionalism” has largely been the domain of Republican officials who have accused Democrats of putting their allegiances to multiculturalism, globalism and foreign countries ahead of USA interests.
Clinton had 42 percent among registered voters compared with 37 percent for Trump.
Clinton noted that Trump has criticized American exceptionalism, and she argued that he does not understand “America’s unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for peace and progress”.
Trump is polling at 40 per cent, a point ahead of Clinton at 39.
The speech was touted as one that would emphasize “American exceptionalism”, an idea that the US, as an “exceptional” world citizen, has a moral obligation to advance democracy in the world rather than imposing it against another country’s will. Chief among the country’s responsibilities is to honor commitments made to allies, she argued, referencing the coalition that is now fighting ISIS.
Central to the GOP nominee’s pitch is that Washington lawmakers have reduced the nation to rubble and that only an outsider with executive experience like himself will up-end the status quo and return the country to greatness.
Clinton, who has an edge in many state and national polls, has been aggressively courting Republicans and independents since the party convention.
But there is evidence that House Republicans’ strategy to separate their fates from their party’s controversial nominee is working.
In her speech, the Democratic nominee also called out Trump out for his ties to Vladimir Putin and for engaging in a feud with a Gold Star family last month.
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The numbers for Trump were 28 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
