Obama: Hillary Clinton Most Qualified Presidential Candidate Ever


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On Wednesday, President Barack Obama made the case that Hillary Clinton should be the nation’s next president while acknowledging the hardships facing Americans across the country. 

"The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous. Sure, we have real anxieties – about paying the bills, protecting our kids, caring for a sick parent," Obama said. "We get frustrated with political gridlock, worry about racial divisions; are shocked and saddened by the madness of Orlando or Nice.

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"There are pockets of America that never recovered from factory closures; men who took pride in hard work and providing for their families who now feel forgotten. Parents who wonder whether their kids will have the same opportunities we have."

While Obama states, "nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office," he went on to say that Clinton is ready.

"She knows what’s at stake in the decisions our government makes for the working family, the senior citizen, the small business owner, the soldier, and the veteran," Obama said. "Even in the middle 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.

“That’s the Hillary I know. That’s the Hillary I’ve come to admire," he continued. "And that’s why I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman—not me, not Bill, nobody—more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America.” 

“Hillary Clinton is respected around the world. Not just by leaders, but by the people they serve,” Obama said. “People outside of the United States do not understand what's going on in this election. They really don't. Because they know Hillary, they've seen her work.”

Obama also reached out indirectly to Bernie Sanders supporters who don’t agree with all of Clinton’s positions.

“If you’re serious about our democracy, you can’t afford to stay home because you might not align on every issue. You need to get in the arena with her,” he said. “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. America isn’t about yes he will, it’s about yes we can.”

Obama closed his speech with a direct ask of voters: “This year in this election, I’m asking you to join me to reject cynicism and reject fear, and to summon what is best in us to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation.”

Join “Chicago Tonight” for continued coverage of the Democratic National Convention all week.


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