2024 Presidential Race: A Seasoned Clinton Takes on Trump
Now older and perhaps not as energetic, the "Big Dog" of Democratic politics nonetheless sank his teeth into one of his favorite topics - lambasting former President Donald Trump. Clinton did not mince words, telling the audience "the stakes are too high and I'm too old to gild the lily" before joking that he was actually younger than the 74-year-old Trump.
Drawing comparisons to his past convention speeches, where he likened himself to a racehorse that the party would "let out of the barn" every two years, Clinton acknowledged he was noticeably slower on Wednesday. However, he still seemed to relish the opportunity to savage Trump, describing the former president as a "narcissist obsessed with himself" who "creates chaos" and "curates it as if it were precious art."
Despite his advancing age, Clinton demonstrated he had not lost his flair for forceful political rhetoric as he sought to portray Trump in a highly unflattering light for the convention audience.
Clinton sharply contrasts Trump's self-absorbed and divisive approach with the inclusive vision he attributed to Kamala Harris.
Criticizing Trump's tendency towards self-promotion, Clinton told the audience "The next time you hear him, don't count the lies. Count the 'I's.'" In contrast, he suggested that under a Harris presidency, the focus would shift to the American people, saying "When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin with 'you, you, you, you.'"
Through this comparison, Clinton painted Trump as a narcissist preoccupied with himself, while portraying Harris as a leader who would prioritize the needs and concerns of the broader public. The paraphrase highlights Clinton's attempt to frame the choice between the two candidates in terms of self-interest versus an inclusive, people-centered vision for the country.