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3 takeaways from Obama’s DNC speech nominating Hillary

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DailyBiteJul 29, 2016 | 19:08

3 takeaways from Obama’s DNC speech nominating Hillary

That Barack Obama is a great orator is a truth universally acknowledged. But that he’s also a canny politician who nevertheless detests the everyday business of rogue politics is also an important aspect of his presidency.

After eight years and two terms of US presidentship, Barack Obama had to finally pass on the baton to his potential successor – Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, also his one-time rival in the 2008 presidential elections.

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Obama’s late night speech on July 27 not only endorsed Hillary, but it once again reminded everyone what America stood for, the idealism, the large-heartedness and the dream.

Against Donald Trump’s dystopic fear-mongering, Obama’s angelic sternness and emphasis on love over hate, hope over pessimism stood out in stark contrast.

Listen to one his last and most historic speeches ever, and read our three quick takeaways from the man who never fails to astonish us with his humane bravery and brilliant intellect.

America is for everybody

Unlike Donald Trump, Obama can never forget his immigrant roots. Hence, his approach to the worldwide concern over the refugee and immigration issues, the hostilities faced by Muslims, Black and Latino people in liberal democracies like the USA, and to the shrill calls for tougher border control is always tempered with good sense and a large heart.

Exactly that was on display when he said that everybody has a right to dream and make their lives, and America would always welcome hard-working honest people to live and work in its territory.

That was a stark contrast with Trump’s "expel all Muslims" war cry and other ridiculous pronouncements.

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Respect, dignity and love

Obama stressed on domestic frailties and fiscal difficulties that America has been staring at but said that austerity for the common people while bailing out the rich would never be a solution.

The US president said that the working woman, the single mother, the young students, the pensioners, the Black youth, the Latino entrepreneur, the cab driver, the corner shop owner, the university professor, the bank employee – everyone had equal rights to a dignified life in the United States of America.

He said:

We put policies in place to help students with loans, protect consumers from fraud, cut veteran homelessness almost in half. And through countless acts of quiet courage, America learned that love has no limits, and marriage equality is now a reality across the land.

Also:

I'm here to tell you that yes, we've still got more work to do. More work to do for every American still in need of a good job or a raise, paid leave or a decent retirement; for every child who needs a sturdier ladder out of poverty or a world-class education; for everyone who has not yet felt the progress of these past seven-and-a-half years.

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We need to keep making our streets safer and our criminal justice system fairer; our homeland more secure, and our world more peaceful and sustainable for the next generation.

Leadership is about listening

While emphasising Hillary Clinton’s 40 years of public service and political activism – from her student days to being the Secretary of State in the first term of Obama administration, the 44th president of the United States said that leadership was being able to connect, make the tough calls when no one else would, listen in to the people, and above all – be there for America.

He contrasted Hillary’s mammoth experience (which he said was more than himself and even former President Bill Clinton’s) with Donald Trump’s campaign of lies, hate and Putin-mania.

"You know, the Donald is not really a plans guy. He's not really a facts guy, either.

(LAUGHTER)

He calls himself a business guy, which is true, but I have to say, I know plenty of businessmen and women who've achieved remarkable success without leaving a trail of lawsuits and unpaid workers and people feeling like they got cheated.

(APPLAUSE)

Does anyone really believe that a guy who's spent his 70 years on this Earth showing no regard for working people is suddenly going to be your champion? Your voice? Hey, if so, you should vote for him."

Obama went on to systematically demolish Donald Trump’s candidature with digs at the Republican nominee’s utter naiveté when it came to domestic and foreign policy. That was hours after Trump had asked Russia to hack into Hillary’s emails in order to "expose" the Democratic nominee.

With Trump’s campaign touching new low, it was the US President’s turn to pay heed to his wife’s famous line: "When they go low, we go high."

Obama said:

"She will finish the job and she'll do it without resorting to torture or banning entire religions from entering our country. She is fit and she is ready to be the next commander in chief."

Hillary Clinton couldn’t have had a better and more legendary endorser.

America will miss the Obamas, and we hope it does justice to his amazingly brilliant speech as he passes on the baton.

Hillary Clinton returned the love on Twitter:

Last updated: July 29, 2016 | 19:08
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