Hillary Clinton Calls for Unity in Concession Speech

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.

News Source: The New York Times, Vox, NPR, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN

Hillary Clinton Statement on UNITE HERE Endorsement

Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of UNITE HERE on Tuesday. In a release, the group said that they support Clinton because of her efforts to help families, her support of universal health care, and her work toward comprehensive immigration reform. In a statement, Clinton said that she is honored to earn the group’s endorsement and vowed to fight for American workers and the middle class as president. A copy of Clinton’s statement is below.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of UNITE HERE.

American workers built the greatest middle class in history by fighting for higher wages, safer working conditions, retirement security and the right to organize and bargain collectively.  UNITE HERE has been on the front lines for decades, fighting to raise the minimum wage and reform our broken immigration system. They’ve stood strong to protect the rights and safety of workers across the country—and they’ve stood up to presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who personally signed a contract with a union-busting firm to try to keep UNITE HERE from organizing workers in Las Vegas. I was proud to visit with UNITE HERE workers on the picket line twice in the primary, and I was even prouder when they overcame Trump’s intimidation campaign and were officially certified as a union earlier this year.

UNITE HERE knows, as I do, that America is stronger together. Workers’ rights to organize, to bargain collectively, to be safe on the job, and to retire with dignity and security after years of hard work are fundamental to our country and to our economy. In too many statehouses across the country—and even in the halls of Congress—these rights are under concerted attack by Republicans and big corporations who have forgotten that a strong economy requires a strong workforce. If I am elected President, workers will always have a seat at the table and a champion in the White House. I’ll protect and build upon President Obama’s executive actions on immigration and will introduce legislation to at last secure comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship within my first 100 days. And I’ll always have workers’ backs—because when workers are strong, America is strong.”

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

News Source: Unite Here

Hillary Clinton Endorsed by Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire

At a campaign event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of her former rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders. During his speech, Sanders expressed his full support for Clinton saying that she will be a great president, and he stressed the importance of electing her over Republican Donald Trump. He said, “I have come here today not to talk about the past but to focus on the future. That future will be shaped more by what happens on Nov. 8 in voting booths across our nation than by any other event in the world. I have come here to make it as clear as possible as to why I am endorsing Hillary Clinton and why she must become our next president.”

Clinton also spoke to the crowd thanking Senator Sanders for his support and congratulating him on a hard fought campaign. Clinton then turned to her next task, unifying the Democratic party behind her. Speaking to Sanders’ supporters she said, “You will always have a seat at the table when I am in the White House.” Clinton then discussed a number of her platform points including equal rights, free college education, and universal health care. A full video from the event is below.

Clinton then attended a special showing of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. The sold out performance was a fundraiser for Hillary for America.

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

News Source: The Chicago Tribune, NPR, The New York Times

Hillary Clinton Speaks to Press in NY, Attends Fundraisers

On Thursday, Hillary Clinton was in New York City where she spoke at a brief press conference outside of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Clinton was primarily asked about the upcoming New York primary and the race between her and Bernie Sanders. Clinton avoided criticizing Sanders directly and said that it was going to be important to unite the party against the Republicans in November. She said, “I will take Bernie Sanders over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz any time. Let’s keep our eye on what’s really at stake in this election. We have Republicans whose values are so antithetical to what is right for New York or right for America.” A full video of the press conference is below.

While in New York, Clinton also attended a fundraiser in Mount Kisco. The event was held at the home of Marco Masotti and Tracy Stein. Clinton then traveled to Denver, Colorado where she attended a fundraiser. Also attended the event were Governor John and Robin Hickenlooper. The fundraiser also included performances by The Fray and Big Head Todd & The Monsters.

News Source: New York Daily News