Hillary Clinton returned to political form on Tuesday when she spoke at the Professional Business Women of California Conference in San Francisco, California. Clinton spoke to a crowd of over 3,500 before sitting down for a conversation with Susie Tompkins Buell. During her speech, Clinton spoke about the need for all Americans to resist the rhetoric of President Donald Trump and his administration. She also urged everyone to continue to fight against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and contact Congress. She said, “Resist, insist, persist, enlist.”
The majority of her speech focused on diversity in the workplace and the need for equal pay for women and paid family leave. She urged the business leaders in the room, most of them from Silicon Valley, to lead the way forward in granting employees paid family leave and maternity leave. Clinton criticized the Trump administration and Congress for attempting to roll back health care coverage for women. She said that when the Republican health bill failed last week it “was a victory for all Americans.” But Clinton warned “the other side never quits. Soon or later they’ll try again, and we will need to fight back twice as hard.” Watch a video from the event below.
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.
Vice President Joe Biden remained in Pennsylvania on Sunday where he campaigned for Hillary Clinton at two events. He began with a rally in Harrisburg where he spoke about the importance of not underestimating Donald Trump and getting out to vote on Tuesday. Biden said that that the best way to ensure that Clinton and other Democrats is elected is by voting and getting friends a family to vote as well. A video from the Harrisburg event will be posted when/if available.
In Scranton, Biden spoke on the campus of Johnson College saying that he was happy to back in his hometown. During his speech, Biden outlined a number of Clinton’s key platform points saying that her optimistic and inclusive plan for the future is better than the divisive vision offered by Trump. He challenged Trump’s “make America great again” slogan saying, “We are already a great country. We went from crisis to recovery and now we are moving toward resurgence.” Biden warned that Trump will take the progress and throw it out the window if elected. That is why he urged everyone to get out and vote for Clinton on Tuesday. Watch a video of Biden’s speech below.
Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday. Speaking at Central High School, Sanders spoke about the future of the United States and why Clinton is the better choice for that future. He outlined a number of Clinton’s platform points such as raising the minimum wage, overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, and combating climate change. He contrasted Clinton’s plans with proposals made by Donald Trump saying there was no contest. He urged everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday saying, “What we have to talk about is that in two days, there will be the most consequential election in the modern history of the United States. And my hope is that all of you will do everything possible in the next two days — not only voting, bringing out your friends and your relatives and your co-workers — to make sure that Donald Trump is not elected president.” A video of his speech is below.
Sanders then spoke at a get out the vote rally on the campus of College of Southern Nevada’s Cheyenne Campus in Las Vegas. Sanders spoke about the progressive Democratic Party platform and Clinton’s dedication to enact campaign finance reform, reforming the criminal justice system, raising the minimum wage, and making college more affordable. Sanders has had a hand in several of Clinton’s platform points, including her college affordability plan. Sanders also criticized Trump for for his divisive comments about women, immigrants, and Muslims. He urged everyone to consider the country’s future and get out and vote on Tuesday. A video from the event will be added when/if available.
Senator Bernie Sanders remained in Iowa this morning for a Get out the Vote rally in Ames. During his speech, Sanders spoke about the importance of electing Hillary Clinton saying, “Hillary Clinton has a very different perspective [and] she understands what Donald Trump does not understand.” He outlined a number of Clinton’s platform points including her plans to combat climate change, reform campaign finance, create jobs, raise the minimum wage, and make college more affordable. Sanders concluded by asking everyone to vote saying that the election is too important to sit out. “You don’t like Hillary Clinton? You Don’t like Donald Trump? Fine. You like yourself? Get beyond personality; that means taking a hard look at what the candidates stand for,” Sanders said. A video from the event is below.
Sanders then spoke at a Get out the Vote event in Colorado Springs. Sanders spoke about a number of the progressive points from Clinton’s platform including her proposals to raise the minimum wage, combat climate change, fix the Affordable Care Act, and make college at public institutions tuition free for students making less than $125,000 per year. He urged everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday and to encourage others to vote as well. “If you take two or three of your friends to the polls, you double or triple your impact,” he said. A video from the event will be added when/if available.
Earlier this week, US Weekly published an article by Chelsea Clinton entitled “3 Reasons to Vote for My Mom.” The magazine asked the daughters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to write a short article explaining why voters should support their parent, and only Chelsea responded. What Chelsea wrote is below:
She cares about children — not just her own (me!).
Growing up, I never doubted I was my mom’s first priority. My mom’s first questions over dinner always focused on what I’d learned that day and what I hoped to learn and do tomorrow. She would then share what she’d worked on as a lawyer and an advocate. I loved knowing what legal aid was in first grade and about health-care reform in eighth grade. I remember being so proud of what my mom was doing to achieve more and better opportunities for all kids, including her efforts to improve public schools in Arkansas.
I have so many memories as a kid of tagging along with my mom to work some Saturdays after my Brownie troop meeting or soccer game — a trade-off she made so she could be at those family dinners, those meetings and those games — and looking up to her (figuratively and literally!) as she worked so hard as a lawyer and champion for kids. My mom ensured I knew how lucky I was. Ensuring that every child has the chance to live up to their God-given potential is the driving motivation of my mom’s life. It’s why she’s still working on paid family and medical leave, early childhood education and health-care reform — and why she’ll combat climate change, make college actually affordable and so much more. She knows the future is at stake for all our kids.
She keeps fighting — and never forgets who she is fighting for.
I have seen my mom do some pretty remarkable things — and, yes, I am biased — including helping to create the Children’s Health Insurance Program [or CHIP, which offers low-cost health coverage to children]. In 1994, when I was 14, my mom’s efforts on universal health care were unsuccessful. It was hard to watch, but I wasn’t surprised when my mom didn’t give up. She dusted herself off and got right back out on the front lines to advocate for kids. A few years later [in 1997], CHIP was created. I don’t think it ever occurred to her to stop fighting, because she never forgot what’s at stake. Today, CHIP provides more than 8 million children with the health care they need.
She’s an example to girls.
Politics has taken on a new urgency for me since becoming a parent. Politics now feels more personal than ever before because I know who we elect both shapes the legislation that gets passed and sets an example for our children.
So, while I am unabashedly and unapologetically biased toward my mom, I couldn’t imagine a better president for our children and grandchildren. I am going to vote for the candidate whose actions and words tell my daughter, Charlotte, and my son, Aidan — and all children — that a girl can grow up to be president. And that would be true whether or not Hillary was my mom. I can’t wait to cast my vote for her on November 8 and hope you will too.
Bill Clinton returned to Florida on Tuesday where he campaigned for Hillary Clinton at three events. His first event was in Florida City where he told a crowd of supporters that Hillary Clinton is, by far, the best candidate for president and that countless military and national security experts agree. “They know what the real security issue is. The real security issue is having somebody who will keep you safe and strong while we can grow our way together,” he said. Bill focused on Hillary’s plans to ensure that Americans are able to prosper together, and he outlined her plans to create jobs, grow the economy, and make college more affordable. He concluded by asking everyone to vote on election day or to vote early. A video of Bill’s speech is below.
Bill then traveled to Immokalee where he was greeted by supporters. Bill is the first former president to every visit the town. He spoke about the stark differences between Hillary and her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, saying that her plans focus on everyday people, and not those at the top. Bill touted Hillary’s plans to ensure college is affordable for everyone, improve the Affordable Care Act, and create jobs by investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy. Again, Bill concluded stressing the importance of voting saying, “The most important thing you can do is to vote and take your friends to vote. Do it today tomorrow and every day through Election Day. If enough people who are for Hillary turn out, she’ll win Florida, and she’ll be the next president.” A video from the event is below.
Bill’s final stop of the day was in St. Petersburg where he focused on Hillary’s platform points and the divisive nature of Trump’s campaign. Bill outlined a number of Hillary’s key policies including her plans to create jobs and ensure an equal opportunity for every American to succeed. He then contrasted that vision with Trump’s saying that the racist undertones of Trump’s campaign are becoming more obvious. “As a 70-year-old Southerner, I know what will make America great again,” Clinton said implying that Trump will make it difficult for anyone who is not white. Bill concluded his speech by encouraging everyone to vote saying, “If people who are for Hillary, vote for Hillary, she’ll win Florida and be our next president.” Watch a video of the rally below.
Americans deserve a president who’s ready on Day One to keep us safe. As a former Secretary of State and senator, Hillary Clinton brings vast experience to the Oval Office, having dealt with the key issues facing Americans around the world for decades. Traveling nearly a million miles as America’s top diplomat, Hillary has handled issues ranging from nuclear proliferation to military readiness, from women’s rights to climate change, and is ready to lead from day one.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has proven himself again and again to be temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief.
Beyond his lack of understanding of foreign policy and unwillingness to learn, Donald Trump is a loose cannon with dangerous views on major global issues. Trump would encourage the spread of nuclear weapons around the world, has insulted our allies and praised several authoritarian dictators. He even encouraged a foreign government to hack Americans, and since then has refused to acknowledge the U.S. Intelligence community’s conclusion that the Russian government has done just that.
Americans deserve a president who understands the challenging world in which we live, not one who is too erratic and uninformed to have control of nuclear weapons.
Throughout his career, and throughout this campaign, on subject after subject, Trump has proven he is unfit to be commander-in-chief. As we begin the final week of the presidential campaign, here is a look back at Trump’s dangerous record on matters of defense and foreign policy:
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
On nuclear weapons, Donald Trump has displayed a reckless disregard for fact and fails to understand the dangers of nuclear proliferation. Simply put, he doesn’t have the temperament to be trusted with the nuclear codes.
On the prospect of nuclear war in Asia, Trump said, “good luck, enjoy yourself folks.”
Trump’s rhetoric pushed dozens former nuclear launch officers to sign a letter saying Trump “should not have his finger on the button.”
U.S. MILITARY AND VETERANS
Trump has repeatedly insulted our military, our veterans and their families. He has been disrespecting our veterans for decades, continually proving he’s unqualified and temperamentally unfit to be commander-in-chief.
Trump attempted to kick disabled veterans off of Fifth Avenue over two decades, calling the situation “deplorable.”
U.S. INTELLIGENCE
Trump has disparaged the U.S. intelligence community – not only rejecting their conclusions, but questioning their motives.
When asked whether he trusts intelligence, Trump said “not so much.”
Trump invited a foreign government to commit cyber espionage in the U.S.
Trump maintains that we don’t know if Russia is behind recent hacks, despite being personally briefed by Republican Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Trump called the U.S. intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia was behind that hack was “public relations, frankly” and repeatedly denied their conclusion.
Trump has been accused by a former acting CIA director of being “an unwitting agent of Putin.”
AMERICA’S ALLIES
For decades, America has held strong alliances across the world – including those with NATO countries. NATO has stood with the United States, for example, invoking Article 5 after 9/11 and collaborating to fight the war on terror today. But on the campaign trail, Donald Trump has outlined plans to cut off America’s allies.
Trump accused NATO countries of ripping off the United States, saying “either they have to pay up… or they have to get out. And if it breaks up NATO, it breaks up NATO.”
Trump said NATO “may be obsolete” and “doesn’t really help us.”
Trump has extendedhis threats past NATO to countries like Japan and South Korea.
FOREIGN DICTATORS
Donald Trump seems to have an admiration for dictators from across the world. From Vladimir Putin to Saddam Hussein and beyond, Trump has repeatedly complimented foreign leaders known for their records of oppression and abuse..
Trump said North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un deserves “credit” for taking out his rivals and has “got to be pretty smart.”
Trump gave Saddam Hussein unduecredit, saying “he did one thing well, he killed terrorists.”
Trump believes that, during the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Chinese government showed “strength.”
Trump thinks Vladimir Putin is a better leader than President Obama, “saying in terms of leadership, he’s getting an A and our president is not doing so well.” (But of course, his praise for Putin doesn’t stop there.)
FOREIGN BUSINESS ENTANGLEMENTS
Trump’s extensive foreign dealings would present significant conflicts of interest and endanger our national security. Trump refuses to disclose the full extent of his foreign business entanglements – but without knowing the details of them, how will Americans know whose interests Trump is putting first? What we do know is concerning.
Trump admitted that if his business interests were threatened by another country’s government, he would retaliate with the power of the US government.
Trump has a record of business dealings with foreign governments – including Iran and China that we don’t know the extent of.
Trump has also had numerous foreign business partners we don’t know much about – including one that is allegedly linked to an international money laundering network.
Trump’s foreign entanglements would poseunprecedentedchallenges for U.S. foreign policy and national security.
ISIS
Despite Trump’s claims that he has a “secret” plan to defeat ISIS, he has no real plan at all. And his rhetoric is dangerously playing into terrorists’ hands.
Trump would “ask [his] generals” – the very same generals he believes he knows more than – for a plan to defeat ISIS, since he doesn’t currently have any plan at all.
Trump would continue to promote Russia’s brutal bombing campaign in Syria that is targeting civilians instead of ISIS.
Trump has suggested he would allow Syria to become a “free zone for ISIS.”
Trump would ban Muslims from entering the U.S., a policy that feeds radical jihadist propaganda.
Donald Trump’s approach to Iran is devoid of any substance. He has prefered to denigrate American leaders and spew lies when it comes to Iran — though he was willing to deal with Iran when it made him money.
Trump has peddled falsehoods about Iran’s ability to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Trump has been exposed as a lessor to Iranian bank linked to terrorism.
NORTH KOREA
Trump doesn’t understand the threat North Korea poses. On the campaign trail, Trump has taken positions that would endanger the security of the United States and our allies and embolden North Korea.
Trump would meet with Kim Jong-Un, despite his continued violations of international obligations to abandon his nuclear and missile programs.
Trump would open to door to nuclear proliferation in the region. When asked whether it’s “fine” for Japan and South Korea to get nuclear weapons, Trump said, “Can I be honest with you? It’s going to happen anyway.”
While Clinton has stood up to Russia, Trump panders to Putin. He has voiced support for policies and positions that align exactly with the Kremlin’s interests.
Ahead of the GOP convention, Trump’s campaign bucked fellow Republicans by maneuvering to ensure the party platform no longer calls for arming the Ukrainians, and then lied about it.
Trump announced he would meet with Putin prior to the start of his administration, if elected president.
SYRIA
To date, Donald Trump has not laid out any real plans with respect to Syria or offered any indication that he takes the conflict and humanitarian disaster seriously.
Trump raised the possibility of sending 20,000 – 30,000 U.S. ground troops to Syria and Iraq.
Trump praised and encouraged Russia’s brutal bombing campaign in Syria, despite the climbing total civilian casualties and attacks on U.S.-backed forces.
Tim Kaine campaigned in Michigan today were he began with a rally at a local fire station in Taylor. During his speech, Kaine spoke about Hillary’s presidential platform and her plans to create jobs by investing in manufacturing and infrastructure, support labor unions and their right to collectively bargain, raise the minimum wage, and make college more affordable. Kaine had a populist tone as he went after Republican Donald Trump for his rhetoric and comments against women and minorities. He said that unlike their opponent, he and Clinton will not focus on themselves, but every American and their families. Kaine wrapped up the event by urging everyone to vote on November 8th or to take advantage of early voting. A video from the event is below.
Kaine then traveled to Warren where he addressed the Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. During his speech, Kaine focus on the economy and Clinton’s dedication to the middle class. He specifically spoke about jobs and Clinton’s plans to invest in manufacturing and infrastructure. He said, “If we do these basic things that Hillary Clinton planned, independent analysts say that our economy will grow ten and a half million jobs in the first four years.” Kaine also spoke about Clinton’s support for organized labor and guaranteed that a Clinton/Kaine administration would guarantee employee’s right to unionize and collectively bargain. A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
Bill Clinton campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Ohio today with his first event being in Cleveland. He spoke about a variety of Hillary’s platform plans including her proposals to boost manufacturing, invest in infrastructure improvements, and make college more affordable. Bill also contrasted the tone of Hillary’s campaign from that of Republican Donald Trump’s saying, “Her theme is ‘Stronger Together’ and her opponent’s theme is ‘No we’re not.'” He attacked Trump for his negative, “us vs. them” message adding, “I spent a lot of my childhood in an us-versus-them environment. It doesn’t work.” He concluded the event by urging Ohioans to get out and vote.
In Columbus, Bill spoke to a predominantly African American audience about the dangers of Trump and how is “Make American Great Again” theme is a reference to a different time in America. Bill said, “When our opponent says, ‘make America great again,’ hey, I’m a 70-year-old white southerner, I know what that means. Fifty years ago, it wasn’t so great for African-Americans or Hispanic-Americans or first-generation immigrants or women in the workplace. Children with disabilities couldn’t go to school. Nobody saw their abilities. Gay people were confined to a closet.” Bill spoke about Hillary’s plans to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity in America and urged everyone to take advantage of Ohio’s early voting.
Bill’s final event of the day was in Cincinnati where he continued to tout his wife’s plans to create jobs and build on the economic progress of the last eight years. He urged everyone to vote on election day or to take advantage of early voting. Bill also asked everyone to make sure their friends and family members vote saying, “I want to ask you to do two things: Vote today. Vote tomorrow. Vote every day if you haven’t voted. I don’t mean more than one time – don’t do that. Concentrate on getting people who are for Hillary to go vote. Then, if you run into people who are not for her, do not talk about them the way they talk about her.” Videos from today’s events will be added when/if available.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 