Obama passes baton to Clinton; France will always be France, Hollande tells Trump

Hours of testimonials, urgent pleas and persuasion have led to this. Now, it’s time to hear from Hillary Clinton.
The former first lady, US senator and secretary of state on Thursday will step out of the shadows of presidents past for her moment to convince Americans that she is the best choice to helm a nation looking for a new era of leadership.
President Barack Obama anointed her the inheritor of his legacy Wednesday night at the Democratic convention. Delivering a passionate case for his one-time rival, Obama declared Clinton not only can defeat the “deeply pessimistic vision” of Republican Donald Trump but also realize the “promise of this great nation.”
“She’s been there for us, even if we haven’t always noticed,” he said.
Clinton appeared unannounced on the platform soon after to soak up the roar of cheering Democrats. She pointed at the man who denied her the White House eight years ago, smiled wide and gave him a hug.
Summoning his most famous line from that 2008 campaign, Obama said: “If you’re serious about our democracy, you can’t afford to stay home just because she might not align with you on every issue. You’ve got to get in the arena with her, because democracy isn’t a spectator sport. America isn’t about ‘Yes he will.’ It’s about ‘Yes we can.’“
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande brushed aside comments by Trump that France was “no longer” the country it was because of a string of deadly attacks.
“France will always be France, because France will never yield and because France is always the bearer of ideals, values and principles, for which we are recognized throughout the world,” Hollande said in a speech in the southwest town of Rivesaltes.
“When you lower your standards, you are no longer what you are. That’s something that may happen to others, on the other side of the Atlantic,” Hollande added, referring indirectly to Trump without naming him.
During a news conference in Florida on Wednesday, the US Republican presidential nominee said a friend who recently visited the country told him: “I wouldn’t go to France.... France is no longer France.”
“They won’t like me for saying that,” Trump added, “but you see what happened in Nice. You see what happened yesterday with the priest, who is supposed to be a spectacular man. France is no longer France.”

Source : Arab News