PHILADELPHIA — When he arrived on stage Monday night in the shadow of Independence Hall, Bruce Springsteen came armed with his acoustic guitar and a message. He defended Hillary Clinton on the eve of the election.
“Your flag flying over the courthouse means certain things are set in stone,” he sang toward the end of his Iraq War anthem “Long Walk Home,” before adding with a little emphasis, “Who we are, what we’ll do and what we won’t.”
It wasn’t too hard to figure out what “what we’ll do and what we won’t” meant on this clear, 50-degree night in the heart of historic Philadelphia before a crowd of over 30,000: It’s time for Clinton to finish the deal and bid adieu to Donald Trump.
Springsteen was part of the village the Clinton campaign rolled out on Independence Mall for Clinton, who was flanked by President Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton as she laid out her closing argument to voters, with unity as a central theme.
“I also want you to know I will be a president for all Americans: Democrats, Republicans, independents. Not just the people who support me in this election. Everyone,” she said. “Because I believe we all have a role to play in building a better, fairer, stronger America. Building on the progress that we have enjoyed under President Barack Obama over the last eight years.”
“Pennsylvania — it all happens tomorrow,” she said later on.
Throughout her speech, she took shots at Trump, dinging him for his vision for American while continuing her line of attack against his readiness to serve as commander in chief.
Clinton’s 17-minute long speech on Monday night was delivered before throngs of supporters in Philadelphia, an area Democrats are depending on to turn out in droves like they did for President Obama in 2008 and 2012, setting turnout records in the area in the process. At the moment, Clinton continues to cling to a lead over Trump in the state, holding slim 1.9-point advantage over the real estate mogul for the state’s 20 electoral votes, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
Obama, along with his wife, made a plea to members of the so-called “Obama coalition,” specifically to college students and African-Americans that could put her over the finish line. He argued that those voters should not come out just to vote against Trump, but rather in favor of “someone extraordinary” like Clinton, adding that he’s betting on them on Tuesday.
“You don’t just have to vote against someone. You have somebody extraordinary to vote for,” Obama said to cheers. “Philadelphia, you have somebody outstanding to vote for in Hillary Clinton.”
“You bet on me all those years ago, and I will always be grateful for the privilege you gave me to serve. But I’ll be honest with you — I’ve always had the better odds because I’ve always bet on you. And America, I’m betting on you one more time,” Obama said, reading off a litany of who he’s betting on tomorrow. “I’m betting that that young people turn out to vote because your future is at stake … I’m betting that African-Americans will vote in big numbers because this journey we’ve been on was never about the color of a president, but the content of his or her character.”
Michelle Obama went further, telling voters not to mess around with a “protest vote,” which she said will benefit Republicans and give a boost to Trump’s chances.
“This election is on us. It is in our hands. If we get out and vote tomorrow, Hillary Clinton will win,” the first lady said. “But if we stay home or we play around with a protest, then Hillary’s opponent will win. Period. End of story.”
While Clinton supporters remain steadfast that the former secretary will emerge victorious Tuesday night, they are not ready to count their chickens before they hatch.
“I’m a little bit nervous,” said Asreen Akhter, a Washington D.C. resident, who predicted a Clinton victory on Tuesday, noting that she has knocked doors for Clinton in recent weeks throughout the Philadelphia suburbs. “There’s a lot more Trump supporters than I anticipated.”
Another supporter put it more succinctly.
“I’m hopeful,” started Melissa Rasman, 60, a Bucks County resident. “But I’m terrified.”
