There are few people left in the country who aren’t saying Donald Trump’s name at least once a day. Up until the third night of the Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama was one of them, critical of the Republican nominee’s political platform and views on immigration, but always stopping short of giving him publicity by saying the T-word. All that changed — and the gloves came off — when Obama and Joe Biden both called Trump out by name as a dangerous and unqualified candidate, who the president said isn’t a real Republican with Republican values — he’s a risk Americans can’t afford to take.
“What we heard in Cleveland wasn’t particularly Republican, and it wasn’t conservative,” Obama said, referring to last week’s Republican National Convention. “It was deeply pessimistic and fanned resentment and blame, and anger and hate. And that is not the America I know.”
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Neither Obama nor Biden had any interest in dividing and conquering by pledging their blind faith to the Democratic Party and using their time on stage to slam the GOP. At one point, Obama even quoted Ronald Reagan — that’s how bad they feel a Trump presidency would be for Americans. No, the threat of a country led by Trump was a far greater peril than any difference they have with the Republican Party. And Obama didn’t mince words when he ever so casually told people to go ahead and vote for Trump — as long as they know exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
“The Donald is not really a plans guy, he’s not really a facts guy either,” Obama said, exposing Trump as little more than a businessman who spent 70 years on this earth showing no regard for working people, and has left a trail of lawsuits, unpaid workers and people who feel cheated.
As the commander in chief put it, “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.”
His scathing indictment of the Donald’s business practices were nothing compared to what would come — Obama went as far as describing the GOP nominee as a “homegrown demagogue” throwing him into the same pit of fire with “fascists,” “communists” and “jihadists.”
He even has a message for Trump supporters who are convinced Trump is the only person who can keep them safe in an unsafe world: “Hillary Clinton is respected around the world, not just by leaders, but by the people they serve,” Obama said. “People outside the United States do not understand what’s going on in this election, they really don’t.”
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And don’t even get Biden started on what he thinks about Trump. The nicest man in politics made it crystal clear that the stakes are too high right now to elect a man who “embraces the tactics of our enemies — torture, religious intolerances.” The vice president added, “That’s not who we are, it betrays our values. We cannot elect a man who belittles our allies and embraces dictators like Putin.”
Biden then delivered a mantra Trump would be wise to hang on his bathroom mirror: “We live not only by the example of our power but by the power of our example.”
There was plenty of Trump bashing throughout the night, but the message all of the speakers tried to stress bears repeating: Trump is the enemy here, not the Republican Party. Uniting the Democratic Party, including Bernie Sanders’ supporters, is critical, but so is understanding that the ultimate goal is to build a bridge between both parties.
Obama spoke about how he meets Americans from both parties and various faiths and backgrounds who truly believe we are stronger together — and who are rejecting Trump’s dystopian message of divide and conquer, and shut out by building a wall is the only way forward.
“That’s the America I know, and there’s only one candidate in this race who believes in that future, has devoted her life to that future,” Obama said. “A leader with real plans to break down barriers and through glass ceilings, the next president of the United States, Hillary Clinton.”
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Working alongside Clinton for eight years, Obama witnessed first-hand her values and work ethic. And his generous endorsement proves he believes she’s the only person in this election who can be trusted to fill his shoes. “There has never been a man or a woman, not me, not Bill, who has ever been more qualified to serve as the president of the United States of America.”
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