Clinton says diplomacy is ‘more than a photo op’ as Trump heads to Mexico
Hillary Clinton obliquely criticized Donald Trump’s surprise foray into foreign affairs on Wednesday, saying in a speech to the American Legion in Ohio that building alliances and coalitions takes more than a “photo op.”
Clinton said she believes in American exceptionalism, unlike her rival, and that America’s unique economic and military might gives the nation a special responsibility to lead in the world. Chief among the country’s responsibilities is to honor commitments made to allies, she argued, referencing the coalition that is currently fighting ISIS.
“It’s more than a photo op, it takes consistency and reliability,” Clinton said of forming alliances. “Actually it’s just like building personal relationships. People have to get to know that they can count on you — that you won’t say one thing one day and something totally different the next.”
This was an apparent reference to Trump’s hastily arranged trip to Mexico on Wednesday. The Republican nominee had announced the visit only the night before. He is set to meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto hours before a speech in Phoenix clarifying his immigration policy.
Clinton also appeared to reference Trump’s years of trash-talking Mexico and its government, which he has accused of intentionally sending criminals over the U.S. border.
“And it certainly takes more than trying to make up for a year of insults and insinuations by dropping in our neighbors for a few hours and then flying home again. That is not how it works,” she said.
Clinton overtly reached out to conservatives in her speech to the veterans group, referencing the dozens of Republicans who worked in national security who have endorsed her over Trump. The latest such endorser, James Clad, the deputy assistant secretary of defense under President George W. Bush, released a statement ahead of her speech calling her “ready, steady and prepared.”
The Democratic nominee urged the veterans to consider voting for her, even if they’ve never cast a ballot for a Democrat in their lives. “This is not a normal election,” she said, asking them to listen to her policy proposals. “I want you to know that if I am fortunate enough to win this election, I will be a president for Democrats, Republicans, independents — for people who vote for me, for people who don’t — for all Americans.”
Clinton hit Trump sharply on his past statements questioning the idea of American exceptionalism — he’s said “I don’t like the term” — and his suggestion that he may not honor America’s agreements with its allies if the United States is not getting enough out of the deal.
“We stand with our allies because generations of our troops fought and died to secure those bonds,” Clinton said.
“My opponent misses something important,” she continued. “When we say that America is exceptional, it doesn’t meant that people in other places don’t feel deep national pride just like we do, it means we recognize America’s unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for peace and progress, a champion for freedom and opportunity.”
Clinton also vowed to “end” the epidemic of veterans’ suicides, fix the Department of Veterans Affairs, and ensure that troops are only deployed as a last resort if she’s elected president.
The Trump campaign responded to Clinton’s speech with a lengthy statement from Matt Miller, director of Veterans for Trump.
“Hillary Clinton has shown she is fundamentally unequipped to further the national security interests of the United States and stand up for our veterans,” Miller said in part. “This ticket will always put our veterans and service members first, and they will put an end to the business as usual culture in Washington that leaves too many of our veterans behind,” the Trump aide concluded.
Trump is set to speak at the sameAmerican Legion event Thursday morning.
