Democratic Convention 2016: Barack Obama Praises Hillary Clinton
President Barack Obama praised Hillary Clinton at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, as the most qualified person ever to run for the White House.
He urged voters to help continue his legacy by carrying Hillary Clinton to victory at the polls in November.
Barack Obama said voters faced a choice between hope and fear, attacking “homegrown demagogue” Republican Donald Trump.
Donald Trump rejected the president’s optimistic portrayal tweeting: “Our country does not feel <great already> to the millions of wonderful people living in poverty, violence and despair.”
Vice-President Joe Biden also delivered his own spirited address, saying Donald Trump “backs torture”, “religious intolerance” and “betrays our values”.
“He has no clue about what makes America great,” Joe Biden said, before the crowd started chanting, “Not a clue!”
President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a rare joint interview for CBS’ 60 Minutes
Barack Obama closed the evening by recounting his key victories over his past eight years in office and painting an optimistic future for the country.
He extolled Hillary Clinton’s character, calling her a “leader with real plans to break down barriers, blast through glass ceilings and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American”.
However, the president also addressed Donald Trump’s grim portrait of America, noting it was “not the America I know”.
Instead, President Obama described his nation as “full of courage”, “decent and generous”, but also concerned about racial divisions and “frustrated with political gridlock”.
Praising the qualities of American people, Barack Obama addressed them directly when he said: “Time and again, you’ve picked me up. I hope, sometimes, I picked you up, too.
“Tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me.”
Hilalry Clinton joined the president on stage for a hug after he finished speaking.
In his response, Donald Trump said in a statement that the Democrats had described a vision of America that did not exist for most people.
Seventy percent of Americans thought the country was on the wrong track, said the Republican nominee, who defied all predictions to win the Republican primary contest.
“Never has a party been so disconnected from what is happening in our world.”
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine took the stage to “humbly” accept his party’s nomination for vice-president and then go on the attack.
“Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth,” he said.
The crowd then erupted into chants of “Not one word!”
Hillary Clinton will officially accept the nomination on July 28, setting up an election fight with Donald Trump that will take them to the presidential election in November.