Hillary Clinton Wraps Up Campaign with Events in Three States

Hillary Clinton spent the final day of the campaign speaking at events in three states. She began at an event in Oakland, Pennsylvania where she outlined her vision of America and said that she wants “to be the president for all Americans, not just some.” She never mentioned Donald Trump by name, but she urged everyone to “rise above all of this hate-filled rhetoric.” She concluded her speech by asking everyone to get out and vote tomorrow adding, “I’m here to ask you to vote for yourselves, vote for your families, vote for your futures. … Because they are on the ballot.” A video from the event is below.

Clinton then traveled to Allendale, Michigan for a get out the vote rally on the campus of Grand Valley State University. Clinton focused more on her platform and the future of the country than she did her opponent. She spoke about her plans to create jobs, improve health care, make college more affordable, raise the minimum wage, and ensure equal pay for women. She said that if elected president, she will work for everyone and looks forward to working with Senators Debbie Stabenow and Bernie Sanders to pass a platform aimed at helping all Americans. Clinton concluded her speech by asking everyone to vote tomorrow. Watch a video of her speech below.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a rally was held in front of a crowd of several thousand. The event began with musical performances by Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. Bill and Chelsea Clinton then took the stage and briefly spoke about the importance of the election. Next, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama each spoke about Clinton’s platform and how she is the only candidate to carry on the legacy of the Obama administration. When Clinton took the stage, she urged everyone to consider the future of the country saying that she is optimistic. She concluded by asking everyone to get out and vote tomorrow. A video from the event is below.

Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea wrapped up the campaign at a midnight rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event opened with performances by Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga, then Chelsea and Bill spoke. They spoke about the campaign and the importance of voting tomorrow. When Hillary took the stage, shorty before 1 am, she spoke about her optimistic vision of the future and urged everyone to vote for the future they envision for our country. “I believe it’s the most important election of our lifetime. It’s not just my name or Donald Trump’s name on the ballot, it’s the kind of country you want,” she said. A video from the event is below.

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

News Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michigan Live, WOODTV, Philadelphia Inquirer, ABC 11

Group of Prominent Business Leaders Backing Clinton Grows

On Friday, Hillary for America released a name of prominent business leaders who support Hillary Clinton for president. A full copy of HFA’s release is below.

The group of prominent business leaders backing Hillary Clinton continued to grow today with more than 40 additional leaders. These leaders share Clinton’s belief that we are stronger together and that Clinton is the candidate with the experience and qualifications to help build an economy that works for everyone. The endorsement comes one day after a new report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that Donald Trump’s economic plan would balloon the debt by $5.3 trillion – 26 times more than Clinton’s according to CNBC. An independent analysis by Mark Zandi, a former economic advisor to John McCain, found that the economy would create 10.4 million jobs under Clinton’s plans, while Trump’s plans would result in a “lengthy recession” and a loss of 3.4 million jobs.

This announcement follows one from earlier this summer that included 52 business leaders backing Clinton. Clinton has laid out detailed plans to create good, high paying jobs through investment in infrastructure, research, technology, and more, as well as other policies that strengthen the climate for businesses to grow and hire. Through cost cutting, new innovations and reforms to our tax code, Clinton’s policy plans are deficit neutral.

“Hillary Clinton understands what we need to do to strengthen the economy and the top priority of her administration is to create jobs and make the economy work for everyone, not just those at the top,” Campaign Chair John Podesta said. “We’re fortunate a growing number of business leaders recognize Hillary Clinton is the right candidate for the economy. Donald Trump’s plan would balloon the debt while costing jobs – setting our economy back and leaving the middle class out in the cold.”

Our campaign continues to hear from a wide range of business leaders like these from around the country who believe Hillary Clinton understands the complex world we live in and is proposing serious solutions.

“As a business leader, I know we need to balance our budgets and pay our bills, and I’ve always looked for that kind of fiscally responsible approach in elected leaders too. Hillary Clinton has laid out detailed and concrete plans to invest in things like infrastructure, to cut spending, and to reform our tax code. And she has a plan to pay for these proposals.” Todd Bradley, CEO of Mozido said. “Multiple independent studies have shown that Donald Trump’s plans would balloon the national debt by trillions of dollars – and leave the bill to be paid by our kids and grandkids. In these turbulent times, we need steady, levelheaded leadership, and I would not want Donald Trump making decisions about my company, let alone our country’s economy. The choice is clear in this election – Hillary Clinton not only has the temperament and necessary experience to be President, but she has the capability to handle the economic challenges facing the nation.” 

The full list of business leaders endorsing today is below.

• Carl Bass, CEO and president of Autodesk
• Todd Bradley, CEO of Mozido
• Michael E. Campbell, Former Chair and CEO of Arch Chemicals
• Vint Cerf, Internet Pioneer
• Marcelo Claure, President and CEO of Sprint
• Stephen J. Cloobeck, Founder, Diamond Resorts International
• Don Cornwell, Co-Founder and Retired Chairman and CEO of Granite Broadcasting Corporation
• Donald L. Dell, Group President Media, Tennis & Events of Lagardère Sports and Entertainment
• Steven Denning, Chairman of General Atlantic
• Dagmar Dolby
• John Donahoe, Chairman of PayPal and former CEO of eBay
• Esther Dyson, Chairman of EDventure
• Peter Georgescu, Chairman Emeritus of Young & Rubicam
• Stephen L. Green, Founder and Chairman of SL Green Realty Corp
• Leo Hindery, Jr., Managing Partner of InterMedia Partners and former CEO of AT&T Broadband
• Jacqueline C. Hinman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH2M
• Lisa Hook, President and CEO of Neustar, Inc.
• Jerry Jasinowski, Former President of the National Association of Manufacturers
• Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman of DreamWorks New Media
• Vinod Khosla, Founder of Khosla Ventures
• Dara Khosrowshahi, President and CEO of Expedia, Inc.
• Noah Lang, CEO of Stride Health
• Alex Laskey, President and Founder of Opower
• Stephen Luczo, CEO of Seagate Technology PLC
• Ted Maidenberg, Co-Founder and Partner of Social Capital
• Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group
• Chance Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of NGLCC
• Nathan Myhrvold, PhD, Founder and CEO of Intellectual Ventures
• David Nevins, CEO of Showtime Networks, Inc.
• Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Jeff Raikes, Co-Founder of the Raikes Foundation and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Tricia Raikes, Co-Founder of the Raikes Foundation
• Robert W. Roche, Founder of Roche Enterprises, Ltd.
• Clara Shih, CEO and Founder of Hearsay Social
• Srinija Srinivasan, Co-Founder of Loove
• Sherman Tate, President and CEO of Tate and Associates
• Diana Taylor, Vice Chair of Solera Capital
• Jonathan Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Board of Loews Corporation and Chairman of Loews Hotels
• Diane von Furstenberg
• Padmasree Warrior, CEO of NextEV USA and former CTSO of Cisco
• Daniel Weiss, Managing Partner of Angeleno Group
• Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube

The individuals listed herein have endorsed in their personal capacity and this does not reflect the endorsement of any organization, corporation or entity to which they are affiliated. Titles and affiliations of each individual are provided for identification purposes only.

Additional quotes by some of the business leaders endorsing are available below.

“I’m supporting Hillary Clinton because she is the only candidate with the intelligence, judgment and experience necessary to do the job.” – Carl Bass, CEO and president of Autodesk

“I support the election of Hillary Clinton as President of the United States. I do not agree with all of her policy positions. When I consider the candidates’ experience, judgment, and temperament, though, there is only one choice – I’m with her.” – Michael E. Campbell, Former Chair and CEO of Arch Chemicals

“In a time of uncertainty and global unrest, the US needs the leadership of someone who knows how to solve problems and get things done. That’s Hillary Clinton and I am voting for her in November.” – Vint Cerf, Internet Pioneer

“I am proud to support Hillary Clinton for President of the United States of America. No one is more qualified to be President than Hillary Clinton and she has a proven track record of fighting for all Americans. She understands the responsibility that comes with governance, and won’t pursue risky policies that jeopardize America’s future or further divide our country. As a Hispanic immigrant, I am so very fortunate to have experienced the American dream first-hand. And many others like me should be afforded that same opportunity. That’s why we need comprehensive immigration reform. Hillary Clinton understands that and is the right leader that will ensure the United States remains a global leader working toward a more just, equal, and prosperous society.” – Marcelo Claure, President and CEO of Sprint

“America is a great country whose greatness enables entrepreneurs, who can come from nothing and from anywhere in the world, to create the small and medium-sized businesses that produce good jobs and are the best of America. Hillary Clinton stands for those values and will continue to support policies that allow our businesses to grow and entrepreneurialism to foster the jobs of our future. Democrats are the party of small business and entrepreneurialism and Secretary Clinton is the only candidate in the race qualified to lead and nurture the kind of economic growth that our middle class needs and that harnesses the American dream.” – Stephen J. Cloobeck, Founder, Diamond Resorts International

“Hillary Clinton is by far the most qualified candidate for President in this election. I believe she will do a first class job of governing our country and will fulfill her duties as President in an exemplary manner. Her intelligence, warmth, and depth of character has been demonstrated throughout her career in public service and these qualities will shine through during her time as President.” – Donald L. Dell, Group President Media, Tennis & Events of Lagardère Sports and Entertainment

“Hillary Clinton’s deep experience, seasoned judgment, and measured temperament make her one of the most qualified presidential candidates in the history of our nation. Her plans to build infrastructure, support entrepreneurship, and expand the economy, show that she is a steady and fiscally responsible leader with the foresight to lead our country confidently into the future. Donald Trump has none of the necessary attributes, nor the temperament, to qualify him to be president and commander-in-chief. His economic plans for our country are unrealistic and would balloon the national debt, leading to economic disaster. In this election, there is just no comparison – Hillary Clinton is the clear choice to lead our country.” – Steven Denning, Chairman of General Atlantic

“Hillary Clinton is eminently qualified to be President of the United States. She understands that good businesses contribute to their communities and help move America forward. Building an inclusive, innovative America is tantamount to building a prosperous one. For our country, for our families, for our children we need Hillary Clinton as our next President. Her opponent doesn’t have the temperament, the qualifications or the experience to be in the Oval Office.” – Dagmar Dolby

“…because she understands that the presidency is a job, not a prize.” – Esther Dyson, Chairman of EDventure

“The 2016 election is without doubt the most important election in all our lifetimes. The next President must possess wisdom, experience, a steady hand, a willingness to bring all Americans together. The world around us requires understanding, delicacy, and the courage to act with intelligence. We must move all humanity toward the good. In this contentious election, the only choice is Hillary Clinton.” – Peter Georgescu, Chairman Emeritus of Young & Rubicam

“As a native New Yorker, I’ve spent a good part of my life working to improve the city I call home. I supported Hillary Clinton when she was the Senator from New York and I support her now for President. Hillary is the candidate in this race who has consistently put forth concrete proposals to grow our economy and invest in vital infrastructure. We need her as our next President.” – Stephen L. Green, Founder and Chairman of SL Green Realty Corp

“Hillary Clinton’s plan to support new entrepreneurs will ensure innovation and progress remain a cornerstone of our economy. Donald Trump has failed to put forth concrete proposals to help American business owners succeed and grow their companies. Instead of offering policy proposals, he is trafficking in divisive rhetoric that threatens to take our country backwards. The choice is clear in this election, and I am choosing the candidate of progress – Hillary Clinton.” – Lisa Hook, President and CEO of Neustar, Inc.

“The ACA has dramatically lowered our uninsured rate, but we still have a long road to improve healthcare access and lower medical expenses in the United States. Hillary Clinton’s commitment to the fight for affordable, quality health care has been a defining element of her public service.  She is the only candidate in this race who has a plan to deliver the innovation we need to offer affordable care to everyday working Americans.” – Noah Lang, CEO of Stride Health

“In the next eight years, American leadership will either set the world on the path to a clean energy future or condemn our children to a planet that’s beyond saving. Hillary Clinton is ready to do what’s necessary: implement ambitious climate standards, aggressively cut energy waste, and accelerate our transition to a thriving clean energy economy. She’s the only candidate who can build on the progress we’ve already made, and I could not be prouder to offer my endorsement.” – Alex Laskey, President and Founder of Opower

“I have been an entrepreneur, business owner, and active New York citizen for over 30 years. I know firsthand how important a vibrant economic environment is to ensuring that businesses and cultural institutions – large and small – succeed and thrive. I had the privilege of watching Hillary Clinton up close when she was our remarkable and tireless US Senator for New York. I’m completely confident that she will make sure that entrepreneurs have a front-row seat at the table – and that she will activate an economy that works for everyone. She is the clear choice for president in this election.” – Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group

“The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has never endorsed a candidate in its nearly fifteen year history, but the stakes have never been so high for the future of the LGBT business community. Hillary Clinton is the progressive champion our businesses and our families need to thrive. The LGBT community has come too far to lose its seat at the table, and we are certain that Secretary Clinton will be the President fighting for the collective economic and social longevity of America’s 1.4 million LGBT business owners.” – Chance Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of NGLCC

“Hillary Clinton understands that innovation is the surest path to a better future. She is the only candidate who has concrete plans to strengthen the American economy by investing in basic science research, increasing access to science and engineering education, and paving the way for high-tech startups and entrepreneurs to create next-generation technologies and high-quality jobs. As a scientist, inventor and technology entrepreneur, I have seen firsthand how invention, and the scientific research that drives it, are powerful engines for sustained economic growth. As President, Hillary Clinton will put her commitment to science and her belief in American ingenuity to work to create better opportunities for all Americans.” – Nathan Myhrvold, PhD, Founder and CEO of Intellectual Ventures

“In this election there is absolutely no question which candidate is prepared to be Commander in Chief for all Americans. That candidate and our choice for President of the United States is Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.” – Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

“I am an international entrepreneur having founded more than 40 companies in the consumer, hospitality and real estate sectors. I have lived my entire professional life overseas. From the perspective of an American abroad, I know firsthand how important American leadership and strength is to ensure success. And our strength flows not just from our military but from our economic vitality and from our values. When we as a nation are seen as strong and respected, it has been good for us and good for the world. This is why I’m such a strong supporter of Secretary Clinton for President. When she served as Secretary of State, she tirelessly worked to defend and protect American interests across Asia and push for American exports that promote good jobs here at home. She has earned respect and demonstrated good judgment the hard way, by listening, leading and engaging relentlessly. She will bring these same qualities and more to the highest office in the land.” –Robert W. Roche, Founder of Roche Enterprises, Ltd.

“Building an inclusive, innovative America is tantamount to building a prosperous one. Donald Trump is more focused on tearing down groups of Americans than he is on building us all up. He has failed to offer serious economic policies, and instead cites business credentials that have allowed him to get rich off the backs of others. Hillary Clinton will put workers’ and businesses’ interests first, and promote policies that will grow the economy for all Americans.” – Clara Shih, CEO and Founder of Hearsay Social

“We must extend, not undermine, the hard-won progress of the last eight years. Hillary Clinton has the policies, the persistence, and the proven experience to lead that charge.” – Srinija Srinivasan, Co-Founder of Loove

“Given Hillary’s track record with respect to local, state, and national issues, she will obviously be a President that represents our nation in a most exemplary fashion.” – Sherman Tate, President and CEO of Tate and Associates

“In an age of economic interconnectedness, Hillary Clinton understands the importance of secure borders as well as open doors. She believes America can continue to be both welcoming and secure, advancing our nation’s interests while extending hospitality to millions of allies and friends.” – Jonathan Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Board of Loews Corporation and Chairman of Loews Hotels

“As President, Hillary Clinton would fight to be sure all Americans share in a growing economy. She has concrete plans to increase access to higher education and build a skilled workforce. As a business leader, I understand the value investing in people has not only for the success of a company, but the success of our country.” – Padmasree Warrior, CEO of NextEV USA and former CTSO of Cisco

“Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies offer strategic, forward-thinking leadership that our country needs at this pivotal moment in history. Her clean energy infrastructure plan contains specific, actionable ideas to create jobs, drive innovation and discovery, and most importantly, preserve our planet for future generations.” – Daniel Weiss, Managing Partner of Angeleno Group

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

Memo: Trump Unfit To Be Commander In Chief

Today, Jake Sullivan, Hillary for America Senior Policy Advisor, released the following memo outlining the campaign’s arguments as to why they believe Donald Trump is unfit to be president. The full release and video are below.

To: Interested Parties
From: Jake Sullivan, Hillary For America Senior Policy Adviser
Re: Trump Unfit To Be Commander In Chief
Date: Monday, August 15, 2016

This is not a normal election. Simply put, Donald Trump is unfit to be our commander in chief. This isn’t overcranked campaign rhetoric – national security experts across the political spectrum are issuing the same warning.

Trump is erratic. He’s thin-skinned. He’s vindictive. He praises dictators and displays a strange affinity for Putin. He trash talks America and threatens to abandon our allies. He uses dangerous rhetoric and proposes dangerous policies that play into the hands of terrorists. He talks casually about nuclear weapons. He knows nothing about foreign policy and he has no interest in learning.

Last week, we got yet another clear and alarming reminder of his lack of fitness for the job.  Reading off the talking points of Vladimir Putin and our other adversaries, Trump falsely claimed that Barack Obama founded ISIS. The world noticed. Just days later, the leader of Hezbollah – a terrorist organization that seeks Israel’s destruction – approvingly quoted Trump’s comments.

Hillary Clinton is uniquely qualified and prepared to assume the role of commander in chief. And Donald Trump is uniquely unqualified. She has serious plans to make our country more secure, and a record of leadership to back it up. He has neither. She is proud to call herself an American and of her work as a public servant. He calls America a third-world country.

The choice is clear. It’s not a choice between a Democrat and a Republican, but between a responsible leader who will keep us safe, and a volatile man who threatens our security.

Background:

Arrogance And Ignorance: A Dangerous Combination

When it comes to foreign policy – just like everything else – Donald Trump is convinced he knows more than anyone in the room. Asked who he consults to help shape his views, Trump explained that he mostly just relies on himself because he has “a very good brain.” His lack of interest in learning from others is reflected in his lack of knowledge of basic facts on foreign affairs:

• Donald Trump on who he speaks to on foreign policy: “I’m speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.”

• Donald Trump on foreign policy experts: “Honestly, most of them are no good.”

• Donald Trump: “I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me.”

• Washington Examiner: Trump says he has a secret plan to beat the Islamic State

• USA Today: Trump attributes Russia knowledge to hosting Miss Universe pageant there

• Boston Globe Editorial: “Not only did Trump not know the basics of the US nuclear triad (the Pentagon’s land, sea, and air contingent of nuclear forces)…”

• Times of Israel: Trump can’t differentiate between Hamas, Hezbollah

• Washington Post: Trump’s top example of foreign experience: A Scottish golf course losing millions

• Donald Trump: “Don’t tell me [torture] doesn’t work — torture works. (It doesn’t.)

• Weekly Standard: Trump Confuses Iran’s Quds Forces and Kurds Fighting ISIS

Proposals Trump Has Made Would Make Us Less Safe

Donald Trump has offered a lot of rhetoric but very few actual proposals. The few plans he has put forth – like his Muslim ban – are out of step with our values and our common sense. From suggesting we should abandon our allies to calling for bringing back torture, Trump’s policies would make us less safe. Some align with Vladimir Putin’s interests and not with American interests; others play into ISIS’ hands:

• Donald Trump: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.

• Donald Trump: “It’s really rather amazing, maybe Syria should be a free zone for ISIS, let them fight and then you pick up the remnants.”

• Vox: Donald Trump: make America great again by letting more countries have nukes

• Donald Trump: “We don’t really need NATO in its current form. NATO is obsolete… if we have to walk, we walk.”

• BBC: Trump says US may abandon automatic protections for NATO countries

• Politico: Trump calls Geneva Conventions ‘the problem’

• Donald Trump: “The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families”

• Donald Trump: “Don’t tell me it doesn’t work — torture works… Waterboarding is fine, but it’s not nearly tough enough, ok?”

• Donald Trump: “The case could be made, that let [Japan] protect themselves against North Korea. They’d probably wipe them out pretty quick….Good luck, folks, enjoy yourself. If they fight, that would be terrible, right? But if they do, they do.

• AP: Donald Trump encourages Russian hackers to spy on Hillary Clinton

• Politico: Trump changed views on Ukraine after hiring Manafort

• New York Times: “It is not clear that Mr. Manafort’s work in Ukraine ended with his work with Mr. Trump’s campaign. A communications aide for Mr. Lyovochkin, who financed Mr. Manafort’s work, declined to say whether he was still on retainer or how much he had been paid.”

• Mother Jones: Is Donald Trump’s Campaign Manager Still on the Payroll of a Ukrainian Political Leader?

• New York Times: “Handwritten ledgers show $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments designated for Mr. Manafort from Mr. Yanukovych’s pro-Russian political party from 2007 to 2012, according to Ukraine’s newly formed National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Investigators assert that the disbursements were part of an illegal off-the-books system whose recipients also included election officials.”

• New York Times: “A separate deal also funneled Russian-linked oligarchic money into Ukraine… Mr. Deripaska agreed to pay a 2 percent annual management fee to Mr. Manafort and his partners, and put $100 million into the fund…”

Dangerous Rhetoric: Trump Praises Dictators, Bashes America And Our Leaders, Stokes Islamophobia

The Trump *candidacy* alone is undermining our national security.  He is the nominee representing one of America’s two major political parties.  His words matter.  Whether he’s praising dictators, channeling the talking points of our enemies, attacking American leaders and those who have sacrificed the most for our country, or stoking Islamophobia, those words are doing harm to our friends and emboldening our adversaries:

• Donald Trump: “You’ve got to give [Kim Jong Un] credit. How many young guys — he was like 26 or 25 when his father died — take over these tough generals…. It’s incredible. He wiped out the uncle. He wiped out this one, that one.”

• NBC News: Trump Calls Tiananmen Square Protests a ‘Riot,’ Defends Calling Crackdown ‘Strong’

• Donald Trump: “I will tell you in terms of leadership [Putin] is getting an ‘A,’ and our president is not doing so well.”

• Washington Post: Donald Trump praises Saddam Hussein for killing terrorists ‘so good’

• Huffington Post: Trump Once Praised Tyrants For Not Being Politically Correct

• International Business Times: Donald Trump: US becoming a ‘third-world country’

• Washington Post: The 100-plus times Donald Trump assured us that America is a laughingstock

• New York Times: Donald Trump Calls Obama ‘Founder of ISIS’ and Says It Honors Him

• ABC News: Hezbollah Leader Echoes Trump That Obama, Clinton Founded ISIS

• Donald Trump: “We don’t even really know who the leader [of ISIS] is.” (We do.)

• Donald Trump: “Our military is a disaster.”

• Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin: Trump insults Gold Star mom, freaks out U.S. allies

• Donald Trump: “[John McCain’s] not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured, ok? I hate to tell you.”

• BuzzFeed: Trump: I Don’t Regret McCain Comments, My Poll Numbers Went Up

• Donald Trump on our generals: “Well, they don’t know much, because they’re not winning.”

• Washington Post: Donald Trump says he ‘always wanted to get the Purple Heart’

• Reuters: Trump’s Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Is Fueling More Islamophobic Incidents

• Washington Post’s David Ignatius: Trump’s Islamophobia propels the Islamic State

Independent and Republican Experts Agree: Trump Is Uniquely Dangerous

When all of this is taken together, it paints a striking picture: Donald Trump isn’t a normal presidential nominee. He is a uniquely dangerous candidate. The result? Foreign policy experts across the board – from lifelong Republicans to apolitical national security officials – are speaking out to say they cannot accept the prospect of a Trump presidency:

• New York Times (8/8/16): 50 G.O.P. Officials Warn Donald Trump Would Put Nation’s Security ‘at Risk’: “He does not encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous qualities in an individual who aspires to be president and commander in chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.”

• Washington Post (8/8/16): Former GOP national security officials: Trump would be ‘most reckless’ American president in history

• Washington Post (8/4/16): Republicans are among a new list of foreign policy experts denouncing Trump: “We find Trump’s comments to be reckless, dangerous, and extremely unwise.  They contradict a core, bipartisan principle found in every U.S. administration — that our security in North America is indivisible with our democratic allies in Europe.”

• Washington Post (3/3/16): Trump is ‘fundamentally dishonest,’ say GOP national security leaders in open letter: “[Trump’s] vision of American influence and power in the world is wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle. He swings from isolationism to military adventurism within the space of one sentence.”

• Former Acting CIA Director Mike Morell: In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump has no experience on national security. Even more important, the character traits he has exhibited during the primary season suggest he would be a poor, even dangerous, commander in chief…. In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.”

• GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger: “I’m an American before I’m a Republican. I’m saying for me personally, how can I support that? Because he’s crossed so many red lines that a commander in chief or a candidate for commander in chief should never cross.”

• GOP Rep. Richard Hanna: “[Trump’s] unhinged. It’s difficult to imagine why anyone could support him. He comes across as a demagogue. He comes across as a guy who, frankly, Putin has made a fool of.”

• ABC News: Gen. John Allen Says Donald Trump Could Cause ‘Civil Military Crisis’: “What we do have to do, George, is listen to what he’s been saying about our military,” Allen said. “He’s called it a disaster. He says our military can’t win anymore. That’s a direct insult to every single man and woman who’s wearing the uniform today.”

• Defense One: Former Bush Officials — Negroponte and Donley — Endorse Clinton. Former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley: “Her deep experience in public service, even temperament, willingness to listen to others and unifying message stands in stark contrast with Donald Trump, who has sown divisiveness at home, confused our allies abroad and shown repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, judgment, character and common decency the American people deserve and should expect in their leadership.”

• PoliticsUSA: Former Reagan/Bush Ambassador Calls Trump Incompetent As Republicans Flock To Clinton: “The Republican nominee for President has no government experience and has done nothing in his career to demonstrate that he is competent to be President. He has made repeated misstatements and inaccurate statements. He has insulted minorities, women, a war hero and Gold Star parents. He is unqualified and unfit to be President.”

• Republican foreign policy expert Max Boot: “Trump is an ignorant demagogue who traffics in racist and misogynistic slurs and crazy conspiracy theories. He champions protectionism and isolationism — the policies that brought us the Great Depression and World War II.”

• Former CIA Director Michael Hayden: “The jihadist narrative is that there is undying enmity between Islam and the modern world so when Trump says they all hate us, he’s using their narrative … he’s feeding their recruitment video.”
• Senior Romney Adviser and foreign policy expert, Gabriel Schoenfeld: Donald Trump’s rhetoric is helping ISIS — and vice versa

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

Statement From Jake Sullivan On Donald Trump’s Praise For Saddam Hussein

In a speech on Tuesday, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump praised former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for his effectiveness at “killing terrorists.” His comment has been criticized by a number of people for his poor choice in comparison. Hillary Clinton’s campaign released a statement today condemning the comment. The statement is from Senior Policy Advisor Jake Sullivan and can be read below:

“Donald Trump’s praise for brutal strongmen seemingly knows no bounds. He has applauded the strength China showed in the Tiananmen Square massacre, offered admiration for Kim Jong Un’s murderous consolidation of power in North Korea, and consistently lavished praise on Vladimir Putin. Tonight, Trump yet again lauded Saddam Hussein as a great killer of terrorists, noting with approval that he never bothered to read anyone their rights. In reality, Hussein’s regime was a sponsor of terrorism – one that paid families of suicide bombers who attacked Israelis, among other crimes. Trump’s cavalier compliments for brutal dictators, and the twisted lessons he seems to have learned from their history, again demonstrate how dangerous he would be as Commander-in-Chief and how unworthy he is of the office he seeks.”

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: CNN