CHICAGO (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton returned Wednesday to a place he knows well, the stage of the Democratic National Convention, to denounce Donald Trump as selfish and praise Kamala Harris as focused on the needs of Americans — to fire up his party with his off-the-cuff brand.
Clinton was meant to add power to a third DNC night headlined by the vice presidential candidate Tim Waltzs introduction to a national audience.
“We have a pretty clear choice, I think. Kamala Harris, for the people. And the other guy who has proven, even more than the first round, that he’s all about me, myself and me, Clinton said.
The Democrats hope to build on the momentum Harris has since taken over the top of the party’s presidential ticket last month. They want to take advantage of the exuberance that has swept over their party since then President Joe Biden stepped aside while making it clear to their supporters that they face a tough fight with Trump.
The nation’s 42nd president and a veteran of his party’s political conventions going back decadesClinton was once hailed as the “secretary to explain things” by Barack Obama, whose 2012 re-election bid was boosted by a Clinton voter at that year’s DNC.
Now 78 — the same age as Trump — Clinton’s delivery sometimes stopped, his movements slowed and he mispronounced Harris’ first name twice. His left hand often shook when he wasn’t using it to grip the lectern.
Still, he delivered several domestic lines about the election during a 27-minute speech, urging Democrats to support Harris.
“What does her opponent do with his voice? He talks mostly about himself,” Clinton said. “So the next time you hear him, don’t count the lies, count the I’s.”
On the Harris-Walz ticket, Clinton implored delegates: “If you vote for this team, if you can get them elected and let them get this fresh air, you’ll be proud of it for the rest of your lives.”
“Your kids will be proud of it,” he said. “Your grandchildren will be proud of it.”