In what her presidential campaign billed as a “major national security speech,” Hillary Clinton offered a searing indictment on Thursday of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Clinton argued that Trump’s policies on both foreign and domestic issues would endanger the country and said electing him would be a “historic mistake.” She also attacked the billionaire businessman for his “temperament” and lack of political experience.
“I believe the person the Republicans have nominated for president cannot do the job. Donald Trump’s ideas aren’t just different, they are dangerously incoherent. They’re not even really ideas — just a series of bizarre rants, personal feuds and outright lies,” Clinton said, adding, “He is not just unprepared; he is temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability and immense responsibility.”
Speaking in San Diego, Calif., a city that is home to many members of the armed forces, Clinton slammed Trump for a slew of his past comments. Among other things, she referenced his criticism of American allies and statements in which he called the country “weak and ineffective.”
“If you really believe America is weak with our military, our values and our capabilities that no other country comes close to matching, then you don’t know America and you certainly don’t deserve to lead it,” said Clinton. “That’s why, even if I weren’t in this race, I’d be doing everything I could to make sure Donald Trump never becomes president because I believe he will take our country down a truly dangerous path.”
Clinton’s speech was the beginning of several days of campaign events in California, which — along with five other states — will hold its Democratic primary on June 7. Polls currently show Clinton is in a tight race in the Golden State against her primary opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, Clinton’s existing pledged delegate lead means it is highly improbable Sanders will overtake her.
On Thursday, Clinton entirely ignored Sanders to focus her fire on Trump. She emphasized her experience as a former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state.
“Unlike him, I have some experience with the tough calls and the hard work of statecraft,” Clinton said of Trump.
While her remarks largely dealt with foreign policy issues, Clinton also stressed the need “to be strong at home,” which she said requires “investing in our infrastructure, education and innovation.” Clinton also called for reducing income inequality and eliminating “barriers of bigotry and discrimination.” She contrasted these points with Trump’s domestic policies, which she described as costly and divisive.
“He has no ideas on education, no ideas on innovation; he has a lot of ideas about who to blame but no clue about what to do,” said Clinton. “None of what Donald Trump is offering would make America stronger at home — and that would make us weaker in the world.”
Clinton also stressed the need to maintain strong relationships with American allies. She suggested several elements of Trump’s platform put these bonds in danger.
“It is no small passing thing when he talks about leaving NATO or says he’ll stay neutral on Israel’s security. It’s no small thing when he calls Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers,” she said of Trump. “We’re lucky to have two friendly neighbors on our land borders. Why would we want to make one of them an enemy?”
Clinton lambasted Trump for his criticism of the Iran nuclear deal, which she cited as an example of diplomacy that made the U.S. safer.
“Donald Trump doesn’t know the first thing about Iran or its nuclear program. Ask him. It’ll become very clear very quickly. You know, there’s no risk of people losing their lives if you blow up a golf course deal, but it doesn’t work like that in world affairs,” she said. “The stakes in global statecraft are infinitely higher and more complex than in the world of luxury hotels.”
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