President’s speech: Clinton tested by crises

Their political fates now entwined, US President Barack Obama is imploring voters to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, joining a chorus of Democrats vouching Wednesday night for her readiness to be commander in chief at time of volatility around the world.

“Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect,” Obama said in excerpts released ahead of his remarks at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia. “And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits.”

Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect.” US President Barack Obama

For Democrats, Obama’s address moment was steeped in symbolism, the passing of the baton from a barrier-breaking president to a candidate trying to make history herself.

His robust support for Clinton, his political foe-turned-friend, is also driven by deep concern that Republican Donald Trump might win in November and unravel the president’s eight years in office.

On the heels of reports that Russia may have hacked Democratic Party emails, Trump said, “Russia, if you’re listening,” it would be desirable to see Moscow find and publish the thousands of emails Clinton says she deleted during her years as secretary of state.

“Donald Trump, who wants to be president of the United States, is asking one of our adversaries to engage in hacking or intelligence efforts against the United States of America to affect our election,” said Leon Panetta, Obama’s former Pentagon chief.

Vice-President Joe Biden said Trump backs “torture” and “religious intolerance”. Biden said that “betrays our values” and makes it harder for the US to defeat Islamic State militants.

Clinton’s running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, was also addressing the convention, his highest profile opportunity to introduce himself to the nation.

In a move aimed at broadening Clinton’s appeal, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed the Democratic nominee.

Bloomberg took aim at Trump’s bankruptcies, reliance on foreign factories and other economic experience: “The richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy.”

Bloomberg said that the country must unite around Clinton because she can “defeat a dangerous demagogue.”