Democratic nominee says she’s proud of Iran deal, says keeping US safe her ‘highest priority’; offers scathing rebuke of Donald Trump
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Thursday accepted the Democratic nomination for president while accusing rival Donald Trump of dividing the United States and instilling fear, and pledging to keep Israel safe.
Addressing the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Clinton took to the stage to accept the Democratic presidential nomination with “humility, determination and boundless confidence in America’s promise,” becoming the first female nominee of a major political party in US history.
“Keeping our nation safe and honoring the people who do that work will be my highest priority,” maintained Clinton.
In her remarks, the Democratic nominee noted she was “proud” of the Iranian nuclear deal clinched between world powers and the Islamic Republic last year and urged continued US support for Israel’s security.
“I’m proud that we put a lid on Iran’s nuclear program without firing a single shot — now we have to enforce it, and keep supporting Israel’s security,” she said.
She also launched a scathing rebuke of Trump for painting a misleadingly dark picture of American society and pledged repeatedly to create new jobs.
“He wants to divide us from the rest of the world and from each other,” Clinton told the Democratic convention, mocking Trump’s claim that he alone can “fix” the country.
“He loses his cool at the slightest provocation… Imagine him in the Oval Office facing a real crisis. A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons,” she said.
Clinton also lashed out Trump’s proposals to build a wall to prevent immigration from Mexico and his calls to ban Muslims from the US.
“We will not build a wall — instead we will build an economy in which everyone who wants a good job can get one,” she said. “We will not ban a religion. We will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism.”
“When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to kick them out,” she later added.
When Trump addressed the Republican convention in Cleveland, “He spoke for 70 odd minutes, and I do mean odd,” Clinton said. “And he offered zero solutions.”
In her address, Clinton offered an olive branch to those who backed her rival Bernie Sanders, telling a party convention their voice had been heard.
“I want to thank Bernie Sanders… And to all of your supporters here and around the country, I want you to know I’ve heard you,” Clinton said. “Your cause is our cause.”
The Democratic nominee also underlined the “milestone” in becoming the first female nominee.
“When any barrier falls in America, for anyone, it clears the way for everyone,” she said. “When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”
As reported by The Times of Israel