His own legacy on the line, President Barack Obama implored Americans to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, casting her as a candidate who believes in the optimism that fuels the nation’s democracy and warning against the “deeply pessimistic vision” of Republican Donald Trump.
“America is already great. America is already strong,” he declared to cheering delegates Wednesday night at the Democratic convention. “And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump.”
For Democrats, the night was steeped in symbolism, the passing of the baton from a barrier-breaking president to a candidate trying to make history herself.
Mr. Obama urged Americans to summon the hopefulness of his first White House campaign eight years ago, before recession deepened and new terror threats shook voters’ sense of security. He robustly vouched for Ms. Clinton’s readiness to finish the job he started, saying “no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits.”
Earlier Wednesday, Ms. Clinton’s running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, introduced himself to the nation as a formidable foil to Mr. Trump in his own right. With folksy charm, he ridiculed Mr. Trump’s list of promises and imitated one of the GOP candidate’s favourite phrases.
“Believe me!” he said mockingly, as the audience boomed back, “No!”
Mr. Obama’s vigorous support for Clinton is driven in part by deep concern that Republican Trump might win in November and unravel his two terms in office. He warned repeatedly Wednesday that the billionaire businessman is unprepared for the challenges that would await him in the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump fuelled more controversy Wednesday when he encouraged Russia to meddle in the presidential campaign. On the heels of reports that Russia may have hacked Democratic Party emails, Mr. Trump said, “Russia, if you’re listening,” it would be desirable to see Moscow find and publish the thousands of emails Ms. Clinton says she deleted during her years as secretary of state.
Wednesday night’s Democratic line-up was aimed at emphasizing Ms. Clinton’s own national security credentials. It was a significant shift in tone after two nights spent reintroducing Ms. Clinton to voters as a champion for children and families, and relishing in her historic nomination as the first woman to lead a major political party into the general election.
The convention’s third night was also a time for Democrats to celebrate Obama’s legacy. Vice President Joe Biden, who decided against running for president this year after the death of his son, called it a “bittersweet moment.”
A son of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Biden appealed directly to the working class white voters who have been drawn to Mr. Trump’s populism, warning them against falling for false promises and exploitation of Americans’ anxieties.
“This guy doesn’t have a clue about the middle class,” he declared.
Mr. Kaine also picked up the traditional attacking role of the presidential ticket’s No. 2. He tore into Mr. Trump, mocking his pledges to build a wall along the Mexican border, asking why he has not released his tax returns and slamming his business record, including the now-defunct Trump University.
“Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth,” Mr. Kaine said. “Our nation is too great to put it in the hands of slick-talking, empty-promising, self-promoting, one-man wrecking crew.”
Liberals, particularly those who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have grumbled about Kaine being on the ticket, particularly because of his support for “fast track” approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. Several delegates held up anti-TPP signs as he spoke.
In a move aimed at broadening Ms. Clinton’s appeal, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg an independent who considered launching a third party bid for president endorsed the Democratic nominee. A billionaire businessman himself, Bloomberg took aim at Mr. Trump’s bankruptcies, reliance on foreign factories and other economic experience- “The richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy.”
President Bill Clinton, filling the role of devoted political spouse, joined the crowd packed to the arena rafters in cheering the attacks on Mr. Trump.
The core of Ms. Clinton’s strategy is putting back together Mr. Obama’s winning White House coalition. In both his campaigns, Mr. Obama carried more than 90 per cent of black voters, the overwhelming majority of Hispanics, and more than half of young people and women.
That coalition was vividly on display in the first two nights of the convention in Philadelphia. Women lawmakers were prominently featured, along with young activists, immigrants, and mothers whose black children were victims of gun violence or killed during encounters with law enforcement.
Gun violence continued as a theme Wednesday night as families of mass shooting victims took the stage. Delegates rose in an emotional standing ovation for the mother of one of the victims in last month’s Orlando nightclub shooting, who asked why “commonsense” gun policies weren’t in place when her son died.
“I never want you to ask that question about your child,” Christine Leinonen said.
Ms. Clinton’s convention has been awash in history, with energized delegates celebrating her formal nomination as the first woman to ever lead a major political party in the general election. Some supporters of Mr. Sanders, her primary opponent, continued to voice their displeasure.
But Mr. Sanders, meeting with New England delegates, said, “As of yesterday, I guess, officially our campaign ended.”
