President Barack Obama pleaded with an obviously reluctant Democrat party to get behind Hillary Clinton, delivering a stinging criticism of Donald Trump in a clear effort to make her seem more palatable, during his Wednesday night speech at the Democratic National Convention. “She knows what’s at stake in the decisions our government makes”.
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Obama also complimented Clinton’s work ethic and pointed to the primary contest against her, saying he was “worn out” and every time that he had thought he had won, Clinton “just came back stronger”.
Trump, who has never held public office, offered his critics fresh lines of attack on Wednesday, urging Russian Federation to find and release tens of thousands of emails that Clinton did not hand over to US officials as part of a probe into her use of a private email system while she was secretary of state.
Trump, he said, was “betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election”.
“This isn’t reality television, this is reality”, Bloomberg said, referencing Trump’s former job hosting a show on NBC. There are pockets of America that have never recovered from factory closures; men who took pride in hard work and providing for their families who now feel forgotten. Does anyone really believe that a guy who spent his 70 years on this earth showing no regard for working people is suddenly going to become your champion?
“We don’t fear the future; we shape it”, Obama added. “America is already strong”.
“As I’ve traveled this country, through all fifty states; as I’ve rejoiced with you and mourned with you, what I’ve also seen, more than anything, is what is right with America”, Obama will say.
Democrats had “put the biggest crack” yet in the glass ceiling for women, she said in a video message to the convention.
“There is only one candidate in this race who believes in that future, and has devoted her life to it; a mother and grandmother who’d do anything to help our children thrive… the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton”, he said.
At the conclusion of his speech, Clinton – who was not expected to appear at the DNC until Thursday her scheduled acceptance speech – surprised delegates by joining the president on stage and giving him a hug.
On Wednesday, Obama will be one of a string of Democratic national security heavyweights – from former Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta to Vice President Joe Biden – to appear before the convention to explicitly and implicitly question Trump’s temperament.
“Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect”, he said in speech experts.
Disclosure: Donald Trump is the father-in-law of Jared Kushner, publisher of Observer Media. “I’m sorry Bill.” he said jokingly.
Punching at Trump’s campaign slogan, he insisted “America is already great”.
“Time and again you’ve picked me up, and I hope sometimes I’ve picked you up too”.
“Think about that”, said Mr Biden.
Admitting that Hillary has been criticized by both sides and has made mistakes – “we all do” – he said Hillary Clinton is “that woman in the arena”.
To Obama and Clinton, Trump’s comments only fed their contention that the billionaire businessman is unqualified to be commander in chief.
Clinton has embraced Obama – saying she wants to build on his vision – a marked difference from past years when presidential hopefuls have run away from their party’s presidents because of personality clashes or low approval ratings.
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If enough voters buy the more optimistic picture being painted by Obama and Clinton, then she will break the ultimate glass ceiling.
