Clinton swipes at Trump in speech to U.S. veterans
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Addressing a roomful of thousands of military veterans, Hillary Clinton on Monday offered a direct contrast to rival Donald Trump, presenting herself as a steady hand who as president would honor the nation’s commitment to veterans and to allies overseas.
In a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, never once used Trump’s name. But she repeatedly took shots at the statements her Republican rival has made on the campaign trail, including his suggestion that he might no longer stand with NATO or other foreign allies, who he said have not fairly compensated the U.S. for protection.
“I’m not interested in talking provocatively. I’m not interested in insulting people, including our military. I’m interested in bringing our country together. I’m interested in healing the divisions,” Clinton said. “We have to protect ourselves against terrorists. To do that, we need to lead other countries in stopping ISIS, al-Qaida and other radical jihadist groups.”
If the United States were to withdraw from the world stage, Clinton declared, “that won’t keep us safe.” She defended the country’s role as a global leader, insisting the U.S. needs to take the lead not only on security but in “setting and enforcing the rules” on jobs and exports.
“If we retreat on either security or the economy, behind some kind of imaginary wall, we will have lost our leadership, our purpose, our chance to prevail in the 21st century,” Clinton said. “And if America doesn’t lead, we leave behind a vacuum. And that will either cause chaos or enable other countries to rush in to fill that void.”
The former secretary of state repeatedly emphasized her experience in diplomacy, arguing that it’s the only way to avoid conflict. And she pledged to listen to generals and admirals in order to draw on their experience. Clinton also said she would never ask troops to commit war crimes — a direct swipe at Trump, who has advocated waterboarding terrorist suspects or “a hell of a lot worse.” He has also said he would authorize the military to kill family members of terrorists.
“I believe in American leadership. I believe that’s who we are as a people, the values that we hold dear, the history that we care about, matters a great deal,” Clinton said, insisting she would be ready to take the reigns of the presidency on “day one.”
The veterans’ event was Clinton’s second appearance in North Carolina in as many weeks, and it came a day before Trump is scheduled to speak to the VFW. But first, the Republican nominee is scheduled to hold a rally in nearby Winston-Salem on Monday night with his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. It’s a part of Trump’s effort to steal the spotlight away from the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off Monday in Philadelphia.
Trump has made a big play for the veterans vote — insisting, as many other candidates before him have, that he would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs amid repeated scandals over care of the troops. He’s also called into question Clinton’s judgment, pointing to her use of an insecure personal email server and her handling of the terrorist attack against the U.S. consulate in Libya.
On Monday, Clinton received an enthusiastic welcome from the veterans, who ran up to photograph the former first lady and frequently applauded her as she spoke. But at one point, a man from the side of the room interrupted her remarks, shouting, “What about Benghazi?”
Clinton did not react.
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