Barack Obama's DNC speech

Brut America

"I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously... But he never did."  Former President Barack Obama strongly criticized President Trump in his DNC speech, saying democracy is at stake in November's election.

Transcript

00:00I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies.

00:07I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously.

00:17That he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care.

00:28But he never did.

00:32For close to four years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work.

00:38No interest in finding common ground.

00:40No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends.

00:48No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.

00:59Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job because he can't.

01:04And the consequences of that failure are severe.

01:09170,000 Americans dead.

01:14Millions of jobs gone.

01:17While those at the top take in more than ever.

01:21Our worst impulses unleashed.

01:24Our proud reputation around the world badly diminished.

01:29And our democratic institutions threatened like never before.

01:33Tonight, I'm asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala's ability to lead this country out of these dark times and build it back better.

01:43But here's the thing.

01:45No single American can fix this country alone.

01:49Not even a president.

01:52Democracy was never meant to be transactional.

01:55You give me your vote, I make everything better.

01:58It requires an active and informed citizenry.

02:03So I'm also asking you to believe in your own ability to embrace your own responsibility as citizens.

02:11To make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure.

02:16Because that's what's at stake right now.

02:18Our democracy.

02:19They know they can't win you over with their policies.

02:23So they're hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote does not matter.

02:31That is how they win.

02:33That is how they get to keep making decisions that affect your life and the lives of the people you love.

02:41That's how the economy will keep getting skewed to the wealthy and well-connected.

02:46How our health systems will let more people fall through the cracks.

02:53That's how a democracy withers.

02:56Until it's no democracy at all.

02:59And we cannot let that happen.

03:03Do not let them take away your power.

03:07Do not let them take away your democracy.

03:11Make a plan right now for how you are going to get involved and vote.

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