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Admittedly, this is not what I planned on saying if I had the chance to meet him today, but I was pretty much in awe standing next him. Dressed in a dark suit with a Hillary tie and pin and surrounded by Secret Service, he exuded a strong presence of both a statesman and a man of the people. And in that moment, I was very captivated by President Clinton’s ability to connect with regular people. He is extremely engaging. Watching him interact one on one with others in the store, his gift to connect with everyday people was supremely evident. . It was just by happenstance that I had this opportunity. I spotted President Clinton walking into the store across from the rally that I was headed to where he delivered a speech to a large crowd at the Community Family Life & Recreation Center in Durham, NC. . At the main event, President Clinton took to the stage after a few local speakers and dove right into the issues weaving in the “Stronger Together” theme throughout, particularly on Hillary’s college plan and immigration policy: ."This is something I'm really proud of. After the primary, she and Bernie Sanders got together and put both of their college aid plans together and came up with a solution that I think is better than either one of them had before; which is what works, when people work together!"
. Detailing out the plan, he mentioned the piece on "free tuition if you make under $125,000" that was received by loud cheers. President Clinton also discussed Hillary's loan relief: x.@billclinton on @hillaryclinton 's student debt plan: "This would revolutionize America." pic.twitter.com/oP3Y3B70MA
— POLITICO (@politico) September 6, 2016Discussing Immigration, the contrast between Hillary’s plan and Trump’s platform based on bigotry was clear:
"Hillary's immigration plan includes a path to citizenship. This will take away the uncertainty and many economists say this would add hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy. These are people who are making a net contribution to our country. And something I find interesting is the anti- immigrant sentiment is strongest where there are the fewer immigrants... They have other problems that are adding to their anxiety, it's not immigrants.” Driving home his point, Clinton said: “OUR DIVERSITY AND OUR YOUTH ARE OUR BIGGEST ASSETS” . Clinton noted later in his speech, "Brexit, and the midterm election in Germany, that's what the fight now is about, how Iraq war should be governed, the Syrian war...everywhere people are fighting over whether we are better off together or whether it’s a winner take all bloodbath and if I don't have it all, to heck with you. Everywhere people are fighting over whether their differences or their common humanity matter more...We are stronger together!” . The audience was highly receptive to President Clinton’s speech, clearly ready to learn more about Hillary’s policies that the corporate media has failed to report on. Moreover, the crowd was fired up when Clinton hit back on the emails and Clinton Foundation faux scandals that have been recycled ad nauseam in the press. On those emails, he said, "They make a big deal out of these emails but a huge number of Republicans have endorsed her, many who spent their lives in national security and they have said the national security arguments favor her. Just remember that" President Clinton's remarks on the Clinton Foundation dealt up a triple whammy, hitting Trump on his tax returns, his political donation bribe to the Florida AG and lack of charitable donations : x.@billclinton: "I got tickled the other day when Mr. Trump called my foundation a criminal enterprise." pic.twitter.com/GcFMfBB1RU
— POLITICO (@politico) September 6, 2016 Reaching out directly to voters with detailed policy and a superior ground game clearly are strengths of Hillary’s campaign and will take us to victory in November. Moving into the final stretch of the campaign season, the Hillary campaign and her surrogates have come out swinging. In North Carolina alone, President Clinton, President Obama and Hillary will all be on the stump this month. While North Carolina is not a must have state for Hillary, it's key for Democrats in that it's the only state with a toss up for a Senate seat, the Governor's race, and the President’s race.The state's battleground starts at the top, in the presidential race: At the moment, Hillary Clinton holds a razor-thin lead over Trump of less than 1 percent in the polls.
What's more, North Carolina could be the state where the presidential contest has the biggest effect on down-ballot elections, influencing key races from U.S. Senate to governor and other critical races that could dramatically change the political direction of the state.
What makes North Carolina unique in 2016 is the number of close races where coattails from the presidential election could tip the balance. For example, North Carolina is the only state in which races for president, U.S. Senate and governor are all rated "toss-ups" by the Cook Political Report.
Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama are also campaigning for Hillary around the country, all key players who will not only help build enthusiasm with the base to get out the vote but will reach those undecideds who reject Trump’s dangerous, divisive rhetoric. This is an exciting moment to be part of, a critical time in our history where we can either sit back and succumb to divisiveness or stand together and do as President Clinton said today, vote for Hillary and "Embrace our diversity!" #ImWithHer