First Lady Michelle Obama addressed college students and people from across North Carolina Tuesday at North Carolina State University's Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh as part of a campaign stop for Hillary Clinton. Here are some of the key takeaways from her speech:
There is no such thing as a simple decision to a problem, especially when there are clashing opinions about it. “The issues that cross a president’s desk are never easy—the easy questions don’t even get to the president. The solutions to persistent systemic challenges are never black and white.”
She slammed Donald Trump after a recent report revealed he had not paid income taxes. “We need someone who is honest and plays by the rules, because not paying taxes for years and years… does not make them smarter than the rest of us. We need a president who will choose to do what’s best for the country, even when it doesn’t personally benefit them.”
A candidate’s attitude during the race will be a predictor for their presidency. “If a candidate regularly humiliates and demeans women, making cruel… comments about our bodies, criticizing how we look and how we act—see, well sadly, that is who that candidate really is. That is the president they will be.”
A president needs to be compassionate. “We need … someone who truly cares about our families. Someone who will help us take on the hard issues our communities face. Not just with slogans about law and order, but with real solutions to heal our divisions here in North Carolina and all across the country.”
Don’t question Hillary Clinton’s resilience. “She’s the only candidate in this race who has traveled to 112 countries, who has negotiated a cease-fire, a peace agreement, a release of dissidence, who spent 11 hours testifying before a congressional committee. Please! Hillary Clinton is tough.”
Positive role models are crucial in shaping the mindsets of American children and students. “Hillary represents everything that we teach these kids. That you use your talent to help as many people as possible. That’s why she’s running.”
Hillary Clinton has the experience necessary to be president. “No one in our lifetime has ever had as much experience and exposure to the presidency. Not Barack, not Bill. Nobody.”
Your vote matters. “Elections aren’t just about who votes, but who doesn’t vote. And that’s especially true for young people, like many of you.”
There’s going to be a lot at stake during the election next month. “The election in November will determine whether we close tax loopholes that allow billionaires to keep gaming the system at the expense of working folks. On November 8, you will decide whether we have a president who believes in science and will back climate change or not. You will decide whether we have a president who will honor our proud history of a nation of immigrants or not.”
She asked voters to think about the future of the United States. “I am here today because we deserve—our young people deserve—a president who can see… truths in us. A president who believes that each of us is part of the American story, and that we are always stronger together.”
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