On Wednesday night, during the third day of the Democratic National Convention, former President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd, calling Vice President Kamala Harris the “president of joy” and celebrating the optimism and enthusiasm her campaign, alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has ignited within the Democratic Party.
After tearing up his draft speech following opening night to craft “a more fun, youthful and joyful approach,” a Clinton aid stated, Clinton urged listeners to embrace a breath of fresh air by voting for Harris, promising, “You’ll be proud of it for the rest of your life.”
“Let’s cut to the chase: The stakes are too high and I’m too old to gild the lily,” Clinton said in his twelfth convention address, where he frequently alluded to his advancing age.
“I actually turned 78 two days ago,” he added. “And I’m still not quite as old as Donald Trump.”
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In his 27-minute speech, Clinton drew on his decades of experience and historical perspective to warn the crowd that, despite their optimism, the campaign will be challenging.
“You should never underestimate your adversary,” he said.
Clinton then spoke about his desire for a more joyful and inclusive America, taking aim at former President Donald Trump as an example of someone who has built a reputation for being the opposite.
“He creates chaos, and he sort of curates it, as if it were precious art,” he said.
Clinton contrasted Trump’s self-centeredness with Harris’s vision of an inclusive America.
“Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and yes, the sheer joy, to get something done,” he said. “I mean, look, what does her opponent do with his voice? He mostly talks about himself.”
“So, the next time you hear him, don’t count the lies, count the ‘I’s. When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin with ‘you, you, you, you,” said Clinton.
Clinton also mentioned Harris’s summer job at McDonald’s, which she took to earn extra money. He noted that, despite her rise to power, she continues to work diligently, highlighting her prosecutorial record, her plans to lower housing and healthcare costs, increase small business financing and strengthen global alliances.
“When she was young, she worked at McDonald’s and greeted everyone with that 1,000-watt smile and said, ‘How can I help you?’ Now she’s the pinnacle of power and she’s still asking, ‘How can I help you?'”
“She’ll break my record as President of the United States who has spent the most time at McDonald’s,” Clinton joked to the crowd.
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