Hillary Clinton’s much lauded foreign policy speech last Thursday was notable for her fierce, resolute delivery, for turning the page on the long primary battle and for taking the demagogue Trump to school so hard, he dripped flop sweat and could only sputter weak personal attacks in response. She even rendered the Republican Party attack machine silent. Clinton once again demonstrated her command of issues foreign and domestic, but even that was “Trumped” by Mama Tiger making it crystal clear she is a patriot with the utmost respect for America’s people, our ideals and an unshakeable belief that our best days are ahead of us. Trump was put on notice: Clinton will not be a cautious nominee but will go to the wall to realize her policy goals and won’t hesitate to use “the Donald’s” documented behavior to expose his every flaw. Hillary stated:
“What happens to the moral example we set — for the world and for our own children — if our president engages in bigotry? And by the way, Mr. Trump — every time you insult American Muslims or Mexican immigrants, remember that plenty of Muslims and immigrants serve and fight in our armed forces. Donald Trump could learn something from them.”
Acknowledging the sacrifices of our military and their families, Secretary Clinton then delivered the coup de grace:
“[I]t really matters that Donald Trump says things that go against our deepest-held values. It matters when he says he’ll order our military to murder the families of suspected terrorists. During the raid to kill bin Laden, when every second counted, our SEALs took the time to move the women and children in the compound to safety. Donald Trump may not get it, but that’s what honor looks like.”
“And it also matters when he makes fun of disabled people, calls women ‘pigs,’ proposes banning an entire religion from our country, or plays coy with white supremacists. America stands up to countries that treat women like animals, or people of different races, religions, or ethnicities as less human.”
Hillary may as well have backhanded Trump across the face, her words conveyed clear contempt for his denigration of so much that we hold dear. In thirty minutes, she effortlessly eviscerated the thin-skinned Trump with a surgeon’s precision, deconstructing him in a way his 16 opponents couldn’t manage in a year.
More quotes, courtesy Prachi Gupta:
“Now imagine Donald Trump sitting in the Situation Room, making life-or-death decisions on behalf of the United States. Imagine him deciding whether to send your spouses or children into battle. Imagine if he had not just his Twitter account at his disposal when he’s angry, but America’s entire arsenal. Do we want him making those calls — someone thin-skinned and quick to anger, who lashes out at the smallest criticism? Do we want his finger anywhere near the button?”
“This election is a choice between two very different visions of America. One that’s angry, afraid, and based on the idea that America is fundamentally weak and in decline. The other is hopeful, generous, and confident in the knowledge that America is great — just like we always have been.”
Clinton’s speech reaffirmed that when she says she will work herself tirelessly to find ways to grow us as a “big hearted, fair minded country,” where we all have a better chance to succeed, we can that trust her determination to realizing those goals will be unshakeable. I know this because I know her record dating back to her years fighting for the Children’s Defense Fund right out of law school, and her 40+ years of successful efforts on behalf of education, health care, kids with disabilities, first responders, veterans, women, criminal justice reform and her work to raise the minimum wage.
Hillary Clinton has spent much of her life helping others. Donald Trump has spent his life aggrandizing himself, often at others’ expense.
Watching Secretary Clinton’s speech in its entirety is well worth your time and reminds me why I am to proud support her and why I will cast my vote for her on Tuesday.
