On Monday, Hillary Clinton announced her next project: a political group called Onward Together. Clinton announced Onward Together on Twitter and in an email blast to her supporters. In the email, Clinton said, “From the Women’s March to airports across the country where communities are welcoming immigrants and refugees to town hall meetings in every community, Americans are speaking out like never before. I believe more fiercely than ever that citizen engagement at every level is central to a strong and vibrant democracy.”
Visiting the website for Onward Together allows supporters to sign up for updates, donate, and read the mission of the newly created group. The mission statement is below:
Onward Together is dedicated to advancing the vision that earned nearly 66 million votes in the last election. By encouraging people to organize, get involved, and run for office, Onward Together will advance progressive values and work to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Citizen engagement at every level is central to a strong and vibrant democracy. In recent months, we’ve seen what’s possible when people come together to resist bullying, hate, falsehoods, and divisiveness, and stand up for a fairer, more inclusive America.
From the Women’s March to airports where communities are welcoming immigrants and refugees to town hall meetings in every community, Americans are speaking up and speaking out like never before.
The challenges we face as a country are real. But there’s no telling what we can achieve if we approach the fights ahead with the passion and determination we feel today, and bring that energy into 2017, 2018, 2020, and beyond.
On the tenth episode of the With Her podcast, host Max Linsky sat down with Hillary Clinton’s communications director, Jennifer Palmieri. Linsky and Palmieri discuss the challenges of the campaign cycle. They also discuss Clinton’s career and how she has prepared for the office of president. You can listen to the episodes HERE or subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes or your favorite Podcast app.
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.
Tim Kaine campaigned in Wisconsin on Tuesday where he focused on the sharp contrast between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. At his first event in Appleton, Kaine spoke about the optimistic and inclusive platform assembled by Clinton, then compared it to the divisive plans proposed by Trump. Kaine also spoke about the two candidates’ different background. He spoke about Clinton’s passion for children and families and how she has fought for both during her long career. Meanwhile, Trump has been more focused on himself. Kaine concluded the event by speaking about the importance of Wisconsin to Clinton and himself and he urged everyone to take advantage of early voting or to head to the ballot box on November 8th. A video from the event is below.
Kaine then speak at a rally in Madison. He spoke about the importance of Wisconsin in the election saying that they are one of the key battleground states. Kaine spoke about Clinton’s platform and her support of a progressive agenda. He said, “You have a proud progressive tradition that goes back a long, long time.” He continued, “I’m excited to have somebody in the Oval Office bringing 40 years of passionate battling for families and kids. Donald Trump does have a passion, it’s just Donald J. Trump.” Kaine urged everyone to vote on November 8th because every vote is important in a close election. A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
Meanwhile, Kaine’s wife, Anne Holton, spoke at three early voting events in Iowa. She spoke at events in Carroll, Des Moines, and Boone. At each, she stressed the importance of the election and urged everyone to get out and vote. More details from the events will be posted when/if available.
On Tuesday, three fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first two were in New York and featured Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She spoke at events in Syracuse and Rochester. Then, in Washington, DC, Heather Boushey held an event.
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.
Vice President Joe Biden campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. During his speech at Chatham University, Biden spoke about the importance of the 2016 election and electing Clinton and other Democrats to office across the country and especially in the United States Senate. He spoke about Clinton’s blueprint for America and how it is starkly different from the vision presented by Republican Donald Trump. While Biden spent quite a bit of his speech criticizing Trump, he also expressed his optimism for America’s future. “I am more optimistic about the prospects for America today than I have ever been in my life. We are on the cusp of being able to do some things that we haven’t been able to do since World War II, if we just have some confidence in ourselves,” he said. Biden concluded by urging everyone to vote on November 8th. A video of Biden’s speech is below.
Anne Holton and Jill Biden campaigned together in Pennsylvania. Speaking at events in Philadelphia and Pheonixville, Holton and Biden focused on the blueprint for America presented by Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine and how it stands in stark contrast from Donald Trump’s vision for America. Biden said that she is tired of Trump’s comments about women saying, “It sickens us. I’m not sure what to say to my daughters and granddaughters who ask, ‘Is this what politics has become?’ It’s hard to explain as a mother and grandmother.”
Holton explained what it has been like working with Clinton the last few months. She explained that she does not only support Clinton because of her party affiliation, but because she is truly knowledgeable about the issues. “I’ve loved getting to be with her on the campaign trail. She’s such a good listener. Yes, she’s a policy wonk. We all know that. She’s a very serious person. I want a serious person in the Oval Office. Her policies come from talking to people. I see the way she talks to the campaign bus driver and the factory line worker, asking about the work-family balance. She connects what she hears from them to inform her policy,” Holton said. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.
Meanwhile, a series of fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and featured a conversation with Laura Rosenberger, Foreign Policy Advisor. Actress Selma Hayek Pinault spoke at a fundraising event in Austin, Texas. In Massachusetts, former Congressman Barney Frank and Jimmy Tingle attended fundraising events in Newton and Jamaica Plain.
This weekend, Hillary Clinton picked up the endorsement of local and national newspapers and magazines. First, Clinton was endorsed by The Philadelphia Inquirer, the paper’s editorial board concluded, “The erratic behavior Trump has displayed isn’t what one wants to see in a commander-in-chief, and his praise for Russia’s Vladimir Putin is dangerous. Clinton has been careful not to antagonize President Obama’s supporters by criticizing his Middle East policy, but she has hinted at taking a more vigorous approach. She has exhibited the tough demeanor needed to deal with recalcitrant foreign powers. But she hasn’t lost the compassion for families and children that has long been a guiding force in her life. Despite our reservations, HILLARY CLINTON is far better than Trump or anyone else running. She should be president.”
On Sunday, Clinton was endorsed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the editorial board for the paper made it clear that they prefer Clinton over Trump despite her shortcomings. In the op-ed, the board points out that through Clinton’s controversies and career, she has remained strong saying, “While many have pointed out Clinton’s shortcomings as a candidate, it must be said that she has displayed a continued grace and courage under rhetorical fire, with Trump attacking her health and her looks, and even dredging up her spouse’s decades-old infidelities. Through it all, she has maintained her composure and stayed on task. Those are the qualities needed in a president, not the boorish behavior and explosive temperament repeatedly shown by Trump.”
The New Yorker endorsed Clinton on Sunday as well. The magazine’s board concludes that Clinton is the far better choice, but they warn that this election may have far reaching effects given the seeds of hatred and divisiveness that have been planted by Trump during the campaign cycle. They said, “On every issue of consequence, including economic policy, the environment, and foreign affairs, Hillary Clinton is a distinctly capable candidate: experienced, serious, schooled, resilient. When the race began, Clinton, who has always been a better office-holder than a campaigner, might have anticipated a clash of ideas and personalities on the conventional scale, against, say, Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio. Instead, the Democratic nominee has ended up playing a sometimes secondary role in a squalid American epic. If she is elected, she will have weathered a prolonged battle against a trash-talking, burn-it-to-the-ground demagogue. Unfortunately, the drama is not likely to end soon. The aftereffects of this campaign may befoul our civic life for some time to come.”
Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton and local Democrats today in Reno, Nevada. During his speech, Sanders spoke about the importance of electing Clinton and rejecting the divisive rhetoric of Republican Donald Trump. He also spoke about the importance of voting local Democrats into office, especially the United States House and Senate. Sanders went after Trump on several occasions saying, “If we are going to take our country forward in a way that I think all of us know that we have to go, it is absolutely imperative that Donald Trump does not become president of the United States. I think that it is fair to say that based on character, based on policy there has never been in the modern history of this country or maybe the entire history of this country, a candidate less deserving of being elected than Donald Trump.” A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
In Tempe, Arizona, Chelsea Clinton campaigned on behalf of her mother on the campus of Arizona State University. She outlined Hillary’s experience working with foreign leaders and her history of bipartisanship as a Senator and Secretary of State. Chelsea spoke of the importance of compromise and rejected Trump’s vision of America saying, “There can be no common ground with bigotry. But we have to compromise where we can. I think we need that type of leadership.” She concluded by talking about the importance of voting on November 8th citing the close polls between Hillary and Trump in the typically Republican stronghold of Arizona. Watch a video of Chelsea’s speech below.
Meanwhile, two debate night fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first was in New York City and featured former Mayor David N. Dinkins and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan. The second event was held in Newton, Massachusetts and was hosted by the Jewish Community for Hillary.
This morning, Hillary for America Campaign Manager Robby Mook highlighted Hillary for America’s unprecedented coordinated campaign efforts, to date totaling an over $100 million investment, and pointed out additional resources coming in the final weeks to help win Senate, House and governors races in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Missouri and Indiana and states across the country.
On the call, Mook said, “Since the primary concluded, our campaign has been coordinating closely with U.S. Senate, House, Gubernatorial, and state races in the battleground states to build a coordinated campaign that leverages resources to help all candidates. We set up offices in all 50 states and have devoted intensive resources to 12 states and Maine and Nebraska’s second congressional districts.”
Mook announced new enhanced coordination efforts from Hillary for America:
An additional six million dollars in mail and digital advertising to get out the vote in the battleground states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire. States with competitive Governor, Senate and House races.
An additional quarter million dollars in Nebraska and Maine’s second congressional districts.
An expanded television buy and direct mail and digital advertising program by over two million dollars in Arizona, where Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric has opened new doors for the Democratic Party. Mook also announced that on Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama will host an Early Vote rally in Phoenix. Days after Senator Bernie Sanders and Chelsea Clinton are in the state.
And a commitment to help Senate and Governor races in Indiana and Missouri with a million-dollar investment to turn Democrats out to vote.
Additionally, Mook pointed out the unprecedented commitment from the top of the ticket in support of down ballot races: the 455 offices in battleground states that are open and available to all Democratic candidates to reduce infrastructure cots; the fact that we have down ballot candidates’ names on phone and door scripts to cross-promote; and that we’ve included candidates in speaking programs for principal trips.
“Bottom line: Donald Trump’s erratic behavior and spiraling campaign have left the Republican party in a civil war…. With signs of high turnout across the country, Democrats have a historic opportunity to elect leaders who will partner with Hillary to create jobs and get incomes rising,” Mook said.
The campaign will continue to evaluate ground investment through Election Day.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 