Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst used her speech before the Republican National Convention to attack former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over her foreign policy credentials and prop up Donald Trump’s in a speech designed to showcase America’s military might on Monday night.
Flanked by members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Ernst used her perch as a rising star within the party to hit Clinton for her failures as secretary of state, particularly her inability in stopping terrorism and the Islamic State. Her speech was the second to last of the evening, forcing her to deliver it to a crowd that had thinned out significantly after Melania Trump delivered her address during the 10 p.m. hour.
Al Weaver/Washington Examiner
“The question I hear time and again is, ‘Where is America’s leadership?’ There’s a void in the world: a deficit that cannot be filled by others,” Ernst said according to prepared remarks, adding that American “cannot afford” four years of a Clinton administration.
“Our allies see us shrinking from our place as a leader in the world as we have failed time and again to address threats. They are looking for American leaders who are willing to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’
“Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton cannot be trusted. Her judgment and character are not suited to be sitting in the most powerful office in the world,” Ernst told the crowd. “She has already failed us too many times before.”
Throughout her address, Ernst, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard, attempted to show off what has made her one of the most sought after members of the GOP, discussing the “can do” attitude she learned as a youth in Iowa, which she carried on as she served the U.S. in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She also talked up the might of the U.S. military, saying they need help to compete the job.
“Our men and women of the armed services do not fail us: They cannot fail us. The veterans beside me did not fail us … They too are individuals of the highest integrity,” Ernst said. “Our presidents cannot fail us either. How can we accept Hillary Clinton when she has failed them, failed us and cannot be trusted? She has proven time and again that she is entirely unfit to serve our nation as commander in chief.
“For too long, Americans have felt abandoned, and their warnings unheard. Donald Trump has heard these voices loud and clear. We cannot afford four more years of the same failed policies,” Ernst added.
Her speech was one of the last of the night, with only Rep. Ryan Zinke set to speak following her.
