Barack Obama's DNC Speech Transcript and Video Highlights; Full Text of Address at Democratic National Convention
Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton Says Clinton Better than Him and Bill; Swipes at Donald Trump's Hateful Speech
President Barack Obama called upon Hillary Clinton on Wednesday to become a custodian of his administration's legacy. His speech tried to cast the Democratic nominee as a more-qualified candidate and rejected the message of hate and anger that Republicans have stated in their campaign.
Hillary Clinton a much better candidate that Obama or President Bill Clinton
Obama mentioned that Hillary Clinton was certainly better qualified that he was or even before former President Bill Clinton ran for office. The crowd roared in agreement after he commented. He also sounded optimistic even as a negative attitude loomed over the Democratic Party's campaign: "America is already great," - compared to Donald Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again."
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Obama believes that there is already a strong America and added that the strength and greatness of the country is not in Donald Trump's hands.
There is still so much work to do
Obama defended his own record; he claimed that he was a progressive leader and supported a candidate that could help maintain his programs. He mentioned that even two terms of being a Democrat will never be enough to finish the work that he has started. But he said that he is confident that the Democratic Party is in good hands as he leaves office.
Obama expressed his confidence that he is leaving the Democratic Party in good hands. He added that his stay in office may have improved the lives of Americans a lot but there is still much to do.
Many Democrats are still unsure
Obama acknowledged that up until today some Democrats are still wary of Hillary Clinton. He said that this was the result of being in the spotlight for decades. He said that Hillary knows that she has made mistakes and then also acknowledged that he has had his fair share of mistakes. He said that this is what happens when people try to do something.
On Donald Trump
The President's speech was not without a few lashes about Trump. He mentioned that Donald Trump is basically just offering slogans and at the same time sowing fear and anger. Obama said that Trump is only wishing that he can scare enough voters for him to secure the election in November
Obama pointed that Trump sells the American people short. He described Americans differently- "We are not a fragile or frightful people. Our power doesn't come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order. We don't look to be ruled."
GOP convention comments
Obama commented heavily on the recent GOP convention in Cleveland saying that it was neither Republican nor Conservative. He said that Trump did not mention serious solutions to any pressing problems of the country. He just solicited feelings of resentment, blame, anger and hate.
Below is the full text of President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night. Credits to The Washington Post.
OBAMA: Thank you!
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
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Thank you!
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Thank you.
Thank you so much! Thank you everybody.
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Thank you. Thank you.
OBAMA: Thank you so much, everybody. Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you, everybody.
AUDIENCE: Yes, we can! Yes, we can!
Thank you so much, everybody!
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I love you back!
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Hello, America! Hello, Democrats!
So 12 years ago tonight I addressed this convention for the very first time.
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You met my two little girls, Malia and Sasha, now two amazing young women who just fill me with pride.
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You fell for my brilliant wife and partner, Michelle...
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...who has made me a better father and a better man, who has gone on to inspire our nation as first lady and who somehow hasn't aged a day.
(LAUGHTER)
I know, the same cannot be said for me. My girls remind me all the time. Wow, you've changed so much, daddy.
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: And then they try to clean it up. Not bad, just more mature.
And it's true, I was so young that first time in Boston.
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And look, I'll admit it, maybe I was a little nervous addressing such a big crowd. But I was filled with faith; faith in America, the generous, bighearted, hopeful country that made my story, that made all of our stories possible.
A lot's happened over the years. And while this nation has been tested by war and it's been tested by recession and all manner of challenges, I stand before you again tonight, after almost two terms as your president, to tell you I am even more optimistic about the future of America than ever before.
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How could I not be, after all that we've achieved together?
After the worst recession in 80 years, we've fought our way back. We've seen deficits come down, 401(k)s recover, an auto industry set new records, unemployment reach eight-year lows, and our businesses create 15 million new jobs.
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After a century of trying, we declared that health care in America is not a privilege for a few, it is a right for everybody.
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After decades of talk, we finally began to wean ourselves off foreign oil, we doubled our production of clean energy.
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We brought more of our troops home to their families, and we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.
(APPLAUSE) Through diplomacy, we shut down Iran's nuclear weapons program, we opened up a new chapter with the people of Cuba, brought nearly 200 nations together around a climate agreement that could save this planet for our children.
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We put policies in place to help students with loans, protect consumers from fraud, cut veteran homelessness almost in half. And through countless acts of quiet courage, America learned that love has no limits, and marriage equality is now a reality across the land.
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By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we started. And through every victory and every setback, I've insisted that change is never easy, and never quick; that we wouldn't meet all of our challenges in one term, or one presidency, or even in one lifetime.
So tonight, I'm here to tell you that yes, we've still got more work to do. More work to do for every American still in need of a good job or a raise, paid leave or a decent retirement; for every child who needs a sturdier ladder out of poverty or a world-class education; for everyone who has not yet felt the progress of these past seven-and-a-half years. We need to keep making our streets safer and our criminal justice system fairer; our homeland more secure, and our world more peaceful and sustainable for the next generation.
(APPLAUSE)
We're not done perfecting our union, or living up to our founding creed that all of us are created equal, all of us are free in the eyes of God.
