Obama: Elect Clinton ‘to finish the job’
President Obama called on Americans to elect Hillary Clinton to “finish the job” he started eight years ago.
“I’m here to tell you that yes, we still have more work to do,” he told delegates at the Democratic National Convention, citing work on the economy, public safety and civil rights.
But his most important argument was on national security, where he argued that no candidate was more qualified than his former secretary of State. “Not me, not Bill, not nobody,” he said.
“I know Hillary won’t relent until ISIL is destroyed. She’ll finish the job – and she’ll do it without resorting to torture, or banning entire religions from entering our country,” Obama said.
Rebutting one of the GOP’s strongest attacks against Clinton — the turmoil in the Middle East that erupted during her tenure managing foreign affairs, Obama touted her experience and judgment.
In the White House situation room, he said, she argued in favor of the mission that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden.
“Nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Of- fice,” Obama said.
“But Hillary’s been in the room. She’s been part of those decisions,” he said of his former secretary of State. “And no matter how daunting the odds; no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits.”
Obama’s enthusiastic endorsement of his former rival anchored a Wednesday night lineup that also featured Vice President Biden and his would-be successor, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. Echoing a theme throughout the convention, they all spoke of the Hillary they know personally — as opposed to the cartoon version she’s portrayed as by her Republican critics.
“Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect,” Obama said. “That’s the Hillary I know. That’s the Hillary I’ve come to admire. And that’s why 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 also echoed the hopeful tone of his first convention speech 12 years ago, a direct contrast to GOP nominee Donald Trump: “The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous.”
“And no matter how daunting the odds; no matter how much people try to knock her down, (Clinton) never, ever quits.” President Obama