Hillary Clinton really is the Democratic Party’s version of President Trump.
The two-time failed presidential candidate is perpetually aggrieved, weirdly omnipresent online, in love with conspiracy theories, convinced completely of her own righteousness, in deep denial about her personal and professional failures, and apparently surrounded by people who exist only to confirm the things she already believes. This much became clear Wednesday evening during the third night of the Democratic National Convention, where Clinton was given speaking time to rail against the man who, she believes, robbed her of her rightful place in the White House.
If it were Trump who lost in 2016, there would be exactly no difference in behavior.
“I wish Donald Trump knew how to be a president,” the 2016 Democratic nominee said, “because America needs a president right now.”
Her address continued, focusing nearly as much time and attention on the incumbent president as on Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California.
“For four years,” Clinton said of the man she clearly resents on a deep, personal level, “people have told me, ‘I didn’t realize how dangerous he was.’ ‘I wish I could do it all over.’ Or worst, ‘I should have voted.’ Look, this can’t be another woulda’, coulda’, shoulda’ election.”
She added, “If Trump is re-elected, things will get even worse.”
The former secretary of state went on, questioning the legitimacy of the 2016 presidential election all while imploring viewers to get out and vote.
“Vote for justice,” Clinton said, “because black lives matter.”
She then suggested directly that the Russians stole the last U.S. presidential election, saying, “Vote for honest elections so we – not a foreign adversary – choose our president. … Joe and Kamala can win by 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me. So, we need numbers overwhelming so Trump can’t sneak or steal his way to victory.”
When Clinton did talk about Biden, whose 2020 presidential campaign was the entire reason for her appearance, she mostly glossed over policy details, choosing instead to focus on the Democratic nominee’s supposed humanity and personal decency.
“There’s a lot of heartbreak in America now — and the truth is, many things were broken before the pandemic,” Clinton said. “But, as the saying goes, the world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. That’s Joe Biden. He knows how to keep going, unify, and lead, because he’s done that for his family and country.”
But mostly Clinton wanted to talk about the other party’s nominee.
“Remember back in 2016 when Trump asked, ‘What do you have to lose?’” Clinton asked during her address. “Well, now we know: Our health, our jobs, our loved ones, our leadership in the world, and even our post office.”
She then urged viewers to text an election hotline.
Trump defeated Clinton in 2016 in the race for the most electoral votes, winning 304 to her 227. As a matter of consolation, Clinton often reminds people that she won the popular vote, which has never, in the history of the United States, determined who goes to the White House.
