What a day for Obama speeches. First Michelle Obama’s memorable speech, and this evening it was Barack Obama who was on fire, delivered an awesome speech, also memorable and very strong, one of his best IMHO.
Highlights:
“when finally the guy that they nominated, that they endorsed and that they supported, is caught on tape saying things that no decent person would even think, much less say, much less brag about, much less laugh about or joke about, much less act on, you can’t wait until that finally happens, and then say, “Oh, that’s too much, that’s enough.” They’ve been feeding their base all kinds of crazy for years. And, this is the Swamp of Crazy that has been fed over and over and over again. Donald Trump, as he’s prone to do, he didn’t build the building himself, just slapped his name on it, took credit for it. And the people who knew better didn’t say anything. And that’s what happened in their party. All that bile, all the exaggerations, all the stuff that was not grounded in fact, just kind of bubbled up, started surfacing. They know better, and they didn’t say anything..
Watch this incredible video:
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No transcript available yet, so I went through the video and made my own with some of the highlights.
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On the choice before us:
I know folks say this every 4 years, but this time it’s really true. I can not think of a more important election in our lifetimes. Because the choice between candidates has never been this stark. It’s a choice between someone who is as qualified as there has ever been to run for this office, someone who has over and over proven that they know how to lead, and know how to work, understand the issues working families are facing. That’s on the one hand. And then, on the other hand, you have somebody who each and every day, every time he talks, proves himself unfit and unqualified for this office.
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Swamp of Crazy:
We don’t even think that most Republican politicians actually really believe that Donald Trump is qualified for the presidency. I know, because I talk to them. They’re all like “Man, this is really bad. We’re just trying to get through this.”
But, the problem is not that all Republicans think the way this guy does. The problem is that they’ve been riding this tiger for a long time. They’ve been feeding their base all kinds of crazy for years. Primarily for political expedience. So, if Trump was running around saying I wasn’t born here, they were ok with that. As long as it helped them with votes. If some of these folks on talk radio talked about how I was the anti-christ, well, you know, that’s just politics. (Crowd laughs). You think I’m joking. If somebody completely denies climate change, or is filled up with all kinds of conspiracy theories how me and Hillary started ISIL, or that we were plotting to declare martial law, take away everybody’s guns.
We did a military exercise, the Pentagon does these periodically, in Texas, suddenly, all the folks in Texas were like “They’re gonna take over right now”. I am serious. And then the Senator down there said “Yeah, we better look into that.” The governor said “Well, I don’t know.” What do you mean, you don’t know? What does that mean? Really? You think that, like, the entire Pentagon said “You want to declare martial law, take over Texas, let’s do it under the guise of routine training missions...” They took it seriously. And, this is the Swamp of Crazy that has been fed over and over and over again. And, look, there is a sort of spectrum. Look, if I watched Fox News I wouldn’t vote for me.
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On how Republicans built this, Trump just slapped his name on it:
I am really not exaggerating. Everything I am saying are actual things that have been said, and that people, a fairly sizable number of people in the Republican primaries believe. And the people who knew better didn’t say anything. They didn’t say “Well, I disagree with his economic policies, but that goes too far.” They didn’t say “Well, I am not sure his foreign policy is the right one for America, but we can’t allow our politics to descend into the gutter.” People like Ted’s opponent (Portman), they stood by while this happened. And, Donald Trump, as he’s prone to do, he didn’t build the building himself, just slapped his name on it, took credit for it. And that’s what happened in their party. All that bile, all the exaggerations, all the stuff that was not grounded in fact, just kind of bubbled up, started surfacing. They know better, and they didn’t say anything.
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On not giving Republican candidates a free pass for now suddenly coming out against Trump:
They don’t get credit (Republican leaders, GOP Senate candidates) for, at the very last minute, when finally the guy that they nominated, that they endorsed and that they supported, is caught on tape saying things that no decent person would even think, much less say, much less brag about, much less laugh about or joke about, much less act on, you can’t wait until that finally happens, and then say, “Oh, that’s too much, that’s enough,” and think that somehow you are showing any kind of leadership and deserve to be elected to the United States Senate. You don’t get points for that.
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We need to win this election at every level:
Don’t act like this started with Donald Trump. He took it to a whole new level, but he didn’t come out of nowhere. And that’s why we need to win this election at every level. That’s where you come in, Democrats.
When Democrats have everybody in the field, we can’t lose.
PoliticusUSA:
Obama Launches Into Blistering Attack On The ‘Swamp of Crazy’ That Created Trump
At the Ohio Democratic Party State Dinner in Columbus on Thursday, President Obama launched into a blistering attack on Donald Trump and slammed the “swamp of crazy” within the Republican Party that helped create him.
Obama also took aim at comments Trump was heard making in a 2005 ‘Access Hollywood’ video, saying “no decent person” would even think the things Trump said.
But he didn’t just slam Trump. Obama also went directly after Republicans who have spent the campaign supporting him and are only now deciding to abandon him – when it’s politically convenient.
“They know better, a lot of these folks who ran, and they didn’t say anything. So they don’t get credit for, at the very last minute when finally the guy that they nominated and they endorsed and they supported, is caught on tape saying things that no decent person would even think, much less say, much less brag about, much less laugh about or joke about … You can’t wait until that finally happens and then say, “Oh, that’s too much, that’s enough,” and think that somehow you’re showing any kind of leadership and deserve to be elected…You don’t get points for that.”
I will miss this guy.
“You claim the mantle of the party of family values, and this is the guy you nominate and stand by and endorse and campaign with?” Obama said.
Of the culture of crazy in the Republican Party, Obama said, “Don’t act like this started under Donald Trump.”
The president instead blamed years of ridiculous conspiracies and vicious attacks on him for the eventual nomination of Donald Trump – a man who is essentially the embodiment of nearly a decade of GOP lunacy.
“[Trump] didn’t build this house by himself. He just slapped his name on it and took credit for it,” the president said.
If you haven’t seen it yet, also check out Michelle Obama’s speech, the entire thing. It is one for the ages:
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