Chelsea Clinton appeared on NBC’s the Today Show earlier this week. During the interview, Chelsea discussed the 2016 presidential election with co-host Savannah Guthrie and her reaction to her mother’s loss. The primary reason for Chelsea’s visit, however, was the release of her new children’s book She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World. The book tells the story of women who refused to accept the status quo and fought for equal rights. Watch the interview with Chelsea above, and you can order the book HERE.
On Thursday, Hillary Clinton spoke at the Women in the World Summit in New York City. After being introduced by Samantha Bee, Clinton was interviewed by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. Clinton and Kristof discussed a number of topics including recent chemical attacks by Syrian President Bashar Assad. Clinton called for airstrikes on Syrian airfields, which President Donald Trump announced hours later. Other topics discussed include the failure of Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the Trump presidency, women’s rights around the world, sexism in the election, and what she learned from the election, and whether she will run for office again in the future.
Clinton said that she still does not fully understand the animosity some people feel toward her saying, “I am not perfect, everybody knows that by now … Sometimes I don’t know quite how to fix what they are concerned about. But I try. And so, I take it seriously, but I don’t any longer, and haven’t for a long time taken it personally. Because part of the attacks … part of the bullying and part of the name calling — and that has certainly become more pervasive — is to crush your spirit and feel inadequate. And I just refused to do that — and that infuriated everyone.” However, she vowed to keep fighting for what’s right and for the American people. A full video from the event is below.
Late this past week, Hillary Clinton spoke with audiences at two major New England Colleges. First, on Thursday evening, Clinton spoke at a private, student and faculty only event on the campus of Wellesley College. As Clinton’s Alma Mater, the event focused on Clinton’s time at the school and her political career. Clinton spoke briefly and took questions from the audience. According to sources inside the room, Clinton was asked by one audience member about what she would have changed about her campaign. She responded simply, “I’d win.” Clinton graduated from Wellesley College in 1969 and is scheduled to give this year’s commencement address in May.
On Friday, Clinton took part in a series of “Fireside Chats” on the campus of Harvard University. Clinton’s appearance was part of the “American Secretaries of State Project: Diplomacy, Negotiation, and Statecraft” series sponsored by the Kennedy School, Law School, and Business School. She met with undergraduate members of the IOP’s Student Advisory Committee and a few lucky residents of Kirkland House. Clinton is the seventh former Secretary of State to take part in the series. Like the event at Wellesley College, it was closed to the public and press.
A bipartisan group of electors from the Electoral College have asked for an intelligence briefing following revelations from the CIA that Russia may have influenced the election. In a letter to James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, the electors expressed their concern and asked that all of the electors be briefed by the intelligence community before they cast their ballots later this month. The chairman of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, John Podesta, said that he and the campaign supports the electors being briefed. In a statement, he said, “The bipartisan electors’ letter raises very grave issues involving our national security. Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed. Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump. Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign. We now know that the CIA has determined Russia’s interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American.”
Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech this morning in New York City. In the speech, Clinton thanked Tim Kaine and Anne Holton, her family, and the Obamas for all their support on the campaign trail. She also thanked her staff, campaign volunteers, and everyone who has supported the campaign by voting or donating. Clinton asked that everyone not be discouraged by the results saying that she hopes Donald Trump will be “a successful president for all Americans.” She urged everyone to keep fighting for what they believe in saying, “This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It is, it is worth it. And so we need — we need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives. And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me: I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.” A video and transcript of Clinton’s speech is below.
TRANSCRIPT:
Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you so much. A very rowdy group. Thank you, my friends. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for being here. I love you all, too. Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country.
I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country.
But I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built together. This vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign. You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too. And so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort. This is painful, and it will be for a long time. But I want you to remember this.
Our campaign was never about one person, or even one election. It was about the country we love and building an America that is hopeful, inclusive, and big-hearted. We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America, and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power.
We don’t just respect that. We cherish it. It also enshrines the rule of law; the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity; freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them.
Let me add: Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time. So let’s do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear. Making our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top, protecting our country and protecting our planet.
And breaking down all the barriers that hold any American back from achieving their dreams. We spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone.
For people of all races, and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and people with disabilities. For everyone.
I am so grateful to stand with all of you. I want to thank Tim Kaine and Anne Holton for being our partners on this journey.
It has been a joy get to go know them better and gives me great hope and comfort to know that Tim will remain on the front lines of our democracy representing Virginia in the Senate.
To Barack and Michelle Obama, our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.
We thank you for your graceful, determined leadership that has meant so much to so many Americans and people across the world. And to Bill and Chelsea, Mark, Charlotte, Aidan, our brothers and our entire family, my love for you means more than I can ever express.
You crisscrossed this country, even 4-month-old Aidan, who traveled with his mom. I will always be grateful to the talented, dedicated men and women at our headquarters in Brooklyn and across our country.
You poured your hearts into this campaign. To some of you who are veterans, it was a campaign after you had done other campaigns. Some of you, it was your first campaign. I want each of you to know that you were the best campaign anybody could have ever expected or wanted.
And to the millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists and union organizers who knocked on doors, talked to their neighbors, posted on Facebook — even in secret private Facebook sites.
I want everybody coming out from behind that and make sure your voices are heard going forward.
To anyone that sent contributions, even as small as $5, that kept us going, thank you. To all of us, and to the young people in particular, I hope you will hear this — I have, as Tim said, I have spent my entire life fighting for what I believe in.
I’ve had successes and setbacks and sometimes painful ones. Many of you are at the beginning of your professional, public, and political careers — you will have successes and setbacks too.
This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.
It is, it is worth it.
And so we need — we need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives. And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me: I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.
Now, I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will — and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.
And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.
Finally, finally, I am so grateful for our country and for all it has given to me.
I count my blessings every single day that I am an American, and I still believe, as deeply as I ever have, that if we stand together and work together with respect for our differences, strengthen our convictions, and love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us.
Because, you know, I believe we are stronger together and we will go forward together. And you should never, ever regret fighting for that. You know, scripture tells us, let us not grow weary of doing good, for in good season we shall reap. My friends, let us have faith in each other, let us not grow weary and lose heart, for there are more seasons to come and there is more work to do.
I am incredibly honored and grateful to have had this chance to represent all of you in this consequential election. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.
President Barack Obama also held a press conference today in which he congratulated Trump on his victory and committed to a smooth transition of power. Obama said that he will meet with Trump at the White House on Thursday. He said that he is dedicated to ensuring a successful transition of power because that is how American democracy works. Obama added, “We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country.” A video of his speech is below.
While the results of last night’s election are not final, the electoral vote was a shock for Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Most polls showed her leading going into Tuesday, so it was a surprise to many, including Republicans, when Donald Trump pulled of the victory. For Clinton, the loss has to be especially painful given that she appears to have won the popular vote. I’ll repeat, Clinton got more votes than Trump, yet he is president-elect. For years, members of both parties have questioned the need for the Electoral College, and last night’s results are sure to bring up those debates again. For the second time in the last two decades, the candidate to receive the most votes is not president. This is not American democracy.
Tim Kaine spoke at three get out the vote events today in Wisconsin. At his first event in Milwaukee, he told the audience that he and Hillary Clinton are excited with only a few days left in the campaign, and they are both determined to win. He called it “an excitement to embrace an agenda that`s a stronger together agenda, and reject an agenda that is a divisive, name calling, blame game, take us backward agenda — and so we`re seeing it pick up in such a great way.” Kaine said that it is important that everyone get out and vote so their voice is heard given the stakes in this election. He concluded by asking everyone not to take a lead in the polls to mean anything, and that everyone’s vote is important. News coverage of Kaine’s Milwaukee visit is below.
Kaine then traveled to Green Bay where he spoke about Clinton’s optimistic platform, and he outlined her plans to create jobs, make college more affordable, raise the minimum wage, and focus on the middle class by building an economy that works for everyone. Kaine stressed the importance of defeating Donald Trump and electing a candidate with the experience and a comprehensive platform like Clinton. He wrapped up his speech by saying that Wisconsin is already making waves with early voting, and he encouraged those who have not already done so, to vote. Watch a video of Kaine’s speech below.
Kaine’s final event was a get out the vote event in La Crosse. Kaine spoke to a crowd of supporters after they watch today’s Green Bay Packers football game. Kaine outlined key points in Clinton’s platform including her plans to create jobs and invest in American manufacturing. He praised Wisconsin’s early voter turnout and urged everyone who has not already voted to vote on Tuesday. A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
Tim Kaine returned to Florida on Saturday where he spoke about the importance of the election and Florida’s role on Tuesday. He urged everyone to vote because he wants Hillary Clinton to win Florida. Speaking on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Kaine outlined a number of Clinton’s key platform plans including raising the minimum wage, creating new jobs by investing in infrastructure and American manufacturing, and making college more affordable. Kaine concluded by asking everyone to vote adding, “This is my ninth race. I’m 8 and 0, and I’m not planning on losing Tuesday. Here’s what I tell myself in every race I every run: I’m the underdog until they call me the winner.” A video from the event will be added when/if available.
Kaine then spoke at a get out the vote event in Sarasota where he focused on the importance of early voting and defeating Donald Trump. He spoke about the dangers of the vision painted by Trump and offered Clinton’s platform as an optimistic alternative. Kaine said that Clinton has worked her entire life for families and children, and she will not stop once elected. He concluded the event by urging everyone to vote on Tuesday or to take advantage of early voting. “I’m going to just get to the punchline: If you win it in Florida, it’s won,” he said. A video from the event is below.
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Their first event was in West Mifflin where they spoke at a gathering of members of the local United Steelworkers association. Biden spoke about the importance of electing Clinton because of her support for labor unions and American families. He said that since this election is going to be close, it is important that everybody gets out and votes on Tuesday. He said, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win this election.” A video from the event is below.
The Bidens then traveled to Bristol where he spoke about the importance of the election and ensuring that Clinton is elected president and that down ballot Democrats are also elected to office. Biden spoke about a number of Clinton’s platform points including her plan to create jobs by investing in infrastructure and American manufacturing, two things he said would greatly benefit Pennsylvanians. He urged everyone to get out and vote for progress on Tuesday. Watch a video of Biden’s speech below.
On Friday, Hillary Clinton campaigned in two battleground states with her first event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clinton was joined by former Steelers football players Franco Harris and Mel Blount, singer Donnie Iris, and Mark Cuban. Cuban introduced Clinton and attacked Donald Trump saying that “we cannot put our trust in Trump.” Clinton then spoke about a number of her campaign platform points and focused on her plans to create jobs by investing in infrastructure and American manufacturing. She said that as president, she would lead by listening to people and finding common ground, something that she doubts Trump is capable of. Clinton concluded by asking everyone to vote adding, “This is one of those make-or-break moments for the United States. It might be the most important election of our lifetimes.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
Clinton then traveled to Detroit, Michigan where she asked everyone to consider what kind of future we want for our country and our children. Do we want Trump’s divisive vision that brings back failed policies? Or would we rather plan for the country’s future by working together and creating an economy for the 21st century that benefit everyone? She outlined a number of her plans, but said that none of it will be possible if Trump is elected. Clinton urged everyone to get out and vote saying, “You have to vote. Our progress is on the line. Everything that’s happened up until this point is on the line.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 