Obama defends Clinton on campaign trail,
FBI boss releases findings on email controversy after president appears at rally
CHARLOTTE, N.C.— U.S. President Barack Obama heartily vouched for Hillary Clinton’s trustworthiness and dedication on Tuesday, making his first outing on the campaign stump for his former secretary of state just hours after his FBI director blasted her handling of classified material.
Shirt sleeves rolled up in campaign form, Obama declared, “I’m here today because I believe in Hillary Clinton. I have had a front-row seat to her judgment and her commitment.”
Obama spoke at his first joint campaign appearance with Clinton, a show of Democratic unity in a state Clinton is hoping to put back in the Democrats’ column.
But the moment wasn’t what her campaign and the White House imagined during the long primary season.
Shortly before the president and his would-be successor flew to Charlotte together, FBI director James Comey announced he would not recommend charges against Clinton for her email practices — but only after he presented a searing description of her “extremely careless” handling of classified information that ensured the matter won’t be going away.
The White House declined to comment on Comey’s findings, saying the investigation was not formally closed, and it did not want to appear to be influencing prosecutors. Still, the timing of the trip pulled the president into a controversy he has at times tried to keep at arm’s length. His appearance with Clinton was a reminder that it was his appointee who declined to pursue criminal charges.
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who was also travelling to North Carolina Tuesday, said the FBI’s decision not to recommend criminal charges against Clinton is the greatest example yet that the system is “rigged.”
Trump said Clinton put the “entire country in danger” and insists she was likely hacked.
“Her judgment is horrible,” Trump said, adding, “She will be such a lousy president, folks.”
Trump also accused Clinton of bribing Attorney General Loretta Lynch following a report that said Clinton would consider keeping Lynch if she’s elected president.
“It’s a bribe!” Trump said at a rally in Raleigh, N.C., hours after the FBI announcement, referring to a story in the New York Times that quoted “Democrats close to” Clinton saying she may decide to rehire Lynch.
Trump said Lynch may have believed that, if she let Clinton off the hook, she’d have four more years on the job. “It’s a disgrace, it’s a disgrace!”
Clinton and Obama did not veer from their display of lock-step unity. The duo flew to Charlotte together on Air Force One, they rode to the rally together in Obama’s armoured limousine, known as “The Beast.” Clinton shared photos of her grandchildren, Charlotte and newborn Aidan, with the president. As they were welcomed by a screaming crowd of supporters, the president led chants of “Hillary!” as they stood onstage under banners that read “Stronger Together.”
Referring back to their own primary battle in 2008, Obama said, “We may have gone toe to toe, from coast to coast, but we stood shoulder to shoulder for the ideals that we share.”
Trump also had harsh words for Obama, arguing he should be at the White House working to defeat Daesh militants and dealing with other issues instead of joining Clinton on the campaign trail.
He said Obama seemed to be having too much fun, adding, “it’s like a carnival act.”
Obama and Clinton’s journey from political opponents to close allies was a steady theme in the event.
The Clinton campaign hopes Obama can reassure voters about her experience, talent and character — and speak to their questions about her honesty and trustworthiness, some of which stem from the email investigation.
Recounting his primary debates with Clinton, he said, “She knew every fact, every detail. Even when things didn’t go her way, she just stands up stronger.”
Clinton noted that she has been Obama’s loyal ally, serving in his Cabinet when asked and then travelling the world representing his foreign policy.
She lavished praise on his record in the White House, saying he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for overseeing the nation’s economic recovery.
She recalled her surprising decision to join his team after their bruising 2008 primary and shared memories of her four years in the administration.
“He’s made difficult, even unpopular, decisions for the good of our country,” she said.