US President Barack Obama urged Democrats to carry onetime rival Hillary Clinton to victory in November as America's first woman president, while savaging her Republican opponent Donald Trump for fueling hate and division. Obama offered a comprehensive endorsement of his first secretary of state as the one person uniquely qualified to succeed him.
Obama shared a warm embrace with his would-be successor, capping an all-star night that included appearances by Vice President Joe Biden, Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine and independent Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York.
“You know, nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office,” Mr. Obama told the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. “Until you’ve sat at that desk, you don’t know what it’s like to manage a global crisis or send young people to war.”
“But Hillary’s been in the room; she’s been part of those decisions... Even in the midst of crisis, she listens to people and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect. And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits.”
"I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman -- not me, not Bill (Clinton), nobody -- more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America," Obama said.
"I am more optimistic about the future of America than ever before," Obama told the audience.
Obama belittled the Republican flag-bearer as having no economic or foreign policy plans. "Not really a facts guy either," he sneered.
"Does anyone really believe that a guy who's spent his 70 years on this Earth showing no regard for working people is suddenly going to be your champion? Your voice? If so, you should vote for him," Obama said.
"But if you're someone who's truly concerned about paying your bills, and seeing the economy grow and creating more opportunity for everybody, then the choice isn't even close," he added.
"Our strength, our greatness does not depend on Donald Trump. In fact, it doesn't depend on any one person, and that in the end may be the biggest difference in this election -- the meaning of our democracy."
"Ronald Reagan called America a shining city on a hill," Obama recalled. "Donald Trump calls it a divided crime scene that only he can fix."
"We're going to carry Hillary to victory this fall, because that's what the moment demands," Obama said to loud cheers and applause.
"The Democratic Party is in good hands."
By Premji
