The fact so many Americans don’t trust her has nothing to do with her being a woman. How can I not be?
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Trump “will not fight for us”, he said. We’re stronger – What our moral values are as a country. “This morning, he personally invited Russian Federation to hack us”, said Rear Admiral John Huston (Ret.), a former Republican who endorsed Obama in 2008.
In contrast, he said “what we heard in Cleveland [at the Republican National Convention] last week… was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, and turn away from the rest of the world”. There were no serious solutions to pressing problems – just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate. “But if she wins, she is coming back for you to take you along on the ride to America’s future”.
“Eight years ago, you may remember Hillary and I were rivals for the Democratic nomination….” No discussion of ruinous deficits or debt in this campaign (Trump makes at best a passing reference to these) and a hint, too, of big spending to come on energy and infrastructure that will create jobs; no discussion of “entitlements” (that favorite word of the Pete Peterson crowd in DC) ruining our economy; instead, a promise to increase them (though she should have mentioned Medicare) and a denunciation of factory closings, economic inequality, Wall Street vs. Main Street, and money in politics. Until you’ve sat at that desk, you don’t know what it’s like to manage a global crisis or send young people to war.
Hillary Clinton has pushed back on the idea that she’s running for a third term; she’s running for her first term, she replies. She knows what’s at stake in the decisions our government makes for the working family, the senior citizen, the small business owner, the soldier, and the veteran. “No matter how daunting the odds; no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits”.
Obama’s speech capped the third night of Democratic National Convention. Tim Kaine, and tearful pleas from people who lost family members to gun violence, including the massacre in Orlando.
The headliners all built up their case before Clinton made a surprise visit on stage after Obama’s speech.
With the general election in full swing, Clinton must find a way to fix that. Obama smiled broadly through much of his speech, savoring his last address before the Democratic National Committee.
“Donald Trump today once again took Russia’s side”, added Obama’s former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. “He’s not really a plans guy”. Trump’s narrative of an America divided along class and racial lines, and his accusations that the system is “rigged” against people still struggling economically, tap into many Americans’ growing sense of distrust, particularly of political leaders in Washington.
“I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America”, Obama said. But they must set aside their disappointment, heed Mr. Sanders himself and cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton – even if they have to hold their noses to do it. “I’m a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one”. Some supporters of Sanders, her primary opponent, continued to voice their displeasure.
Mr Obama said America’s “greatness” does not depend on Donald Trump or any one person.
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Trump could also drive up his support among white men only to see Clinton buoyed with better support than Obama had from white Republican women who dislike Trump. “She was doing everything I was doing but just like Ginger Rogers it was backwards in heels”, Obama said. “You’ve got to get in the arena with her, because democracy isn’t a spectator sport”. America isn’t about “yes he will”.
