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UPDATED: Thursday, July 28, 11:30 PM EST

To chants of “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!,” and thunderous applause from the audience, Hillary Clinton on Thursday accepted her party’s presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“It is with boundless confidence in America’s promise that I accept your nomination,” she said, beaming as she became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major party.

She was introduced by her daughter, Chelsea, who was preceded by a dramatic performance by Katy Perry.

Chelsea regaled the audience with tales about her mother’s parenting and grandparenting skills. In one story, Chelsea described how as a child, her mom left notes for her to find each day she was away.

A video, produced by Shonda Rhimes, and narrated by Morgan Freeman, painted an intimate portrait of the candidate.

Clinton, decked in a white pantsuit, strode on stage to prolonged applause and a standing ovation. Her main goal throughout the convention was to convince Americans to trust her, as she struggles in likability and trustworthy polls. To that end, she continued to link herself to President Obama, who enjoys high favorability ratings:

America is stronger because of President Obama’s leadership, and I’m better because of his friendship.”

She said Donald Trump, her Republican rival, is running on a platform of fear.

“Trump wants to divide us from the rest of the world and each other,” she said.

She also discussed gun violence, police brutality, and police deaths in the line of duty, calling for criminal justice reform.

“Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of young Black and Latino men and women who face systemic racism,” she said.

Here are some excerpts from her speech:

“America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying.  And just as with our founders there are no guarantees. It’s truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we’re going to work together so we can all rise together.

“We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against. But we are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have.

“So I want to tell you tonight how we’re going to empower all Americans to live better lives. My primary mission as President will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States. From my first day in office to my last. Especially in places that for too long have been left out and left behind. From our inner cities to our small towns, Indian Country to Coal Country.  From the industrial Midwest to the Mississippi Delta to the Rio Grande Valley.

“The choice we face is just as stark when it comes to our national security. Anyone reading the news can see the threats and turbulence we face. From Baghdad and Kabul, to Nice and Paris and Brussels, to San Bernardino and Orlando, we’re dealing with determined enemies that must be defeated. No wonder people are anxious and looking for reassurance-looking for steady leadership.

“Every generation of Americans has come together to make our country freer, fairer, and stronger.  None of us can do it alone. That’s why we are stronger together.”


Table Set For Clinton’s Big DNC Speech

Several heavy-hitters in the Democratic camp delivered speeches this week, trying to convince voters to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president. The table is now set, and Clinton must seal the deal.

So, what must Clinton say tonight at the Democratic National Convention to sway those sitting on the fence to cast a ballot for her?

Many experts say a key demographic she must speak to are working-class White men who are leaning toward Donald Trump, as well as disaffected Bernie Sanders supporters who may decide to sit out this election.

Often overlooked, though, are African-American voters — even though she has their overwhelming support. During the primaries, Clinton had an 80 percent favorability rating in the Black community, which was astronomical compared to her competitors for the White House.

The question is whether she can get them – especially Black women – to turn out in high numbers on Election Day. The New York Times reported that the African-American voter turnout rate exceeded the rate of Whites for the first time in 2012. And Black women were the driving force behind the historic surge.

While Clinton has a long history of supporting issues that matter to African-Americans, a younger generation of Black activists are skeptical. Black Lives Matter activists have challenged Clinton’s sincerity and commitment to criminal justice reform.

In one incident, several young Black activists confronted her at a campaign stop in New Hampshire, which was captured on video. At another stop in Atlanta, Black Lives Matter protesters interrupted her rally.

USA Today offered Clinton some advice for her big speech: “Be yourself. Don’t try too hard. Relax.”

David Frank, a rhetoric professor at the University of Oregon, told USA Today that Clinton appears inauthentic when she’s “too dramatic.”

Some delegates at the convention said they want to hear her vision. Ed Coyle of Owings, Maryland, told the newspaper that she should “speak from the heart about what’s most important to her.”

Sanders supporter Sarah Burns of Los Angeles added that the audience needs to see Clinton’s “human side.” She added, “We don’t trust her, and we need to see she’s not a robot.’’

Ruth Sherman, a communications consultant, told the newspaper that Clinton can humanize herself by telling a “hero journey.” That means sharing her triumphs and tragedies with Americans.

SOURCE: USA Today | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

SEE ALSO:

He’s With Her: President Obama Endorses Hillary In Rousing DNC Speech

Bernie Sanders Urges Base To Support Clinton In Renewed Call For Political Revolution

The 2016 DNC: All The Pictures You Need To See
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