Rob Rogers for July 28, 2016
Transcript:
Sketchbook From Philly 2. Narrator: Despite all of the anger in Cleveland, it feels like there are more protesters here in Philly... maybe they like the food... Protester: Mmm... this cheesesteak almost makes me forget the oppressive overlords running for president... Narrator: They were protesting everything from the serious to the silly... Man: My cell won't hold a charge! Narrator: There was even a nonpartisan rally focused on mental illness... Man: Nonpartisan.... so you think all the candidates are crazy?... I agree! Woman: Not exactly. Narrator: Outside the Wells Fargo Center, the "Bernie Or Bust" crowd grew... Voices: Hell, no, DNC... We won't vote for Hillary! Won't that help Trump? Logic and anarchy don't mix! Narrator: Inside the hall, divisive rancor gave way to celebration as delegates made history by nominating the first woman. George Washington: I was the first man... doesn't that count for anything? Voice: Not this year! Narrator: Bill Clinton seemed a little uncomfortable in the role of supportive spouse... Bill Clinton: Hillary's no quitter... she stuck with this old hound dog!
But what we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican—and it sure wasn’t conservative. What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, and turn away from the rest of the world. There were no serious solutions to pressing problems—just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate.
You know, the Donald is not really a plans guy. He’s not really a facts guy, either. He calls himself a business guy, which is true, but I have to say, I know plenty of businessmen and women who’ve achieved remarkable success without leaving a trail of lawsuits, and unpaid workers, and people feeling like they got cheated.
Does anyone really believe that a guy who’s spent his 70 years on this Earth showing no regard for working people is suddenly going to be your champion? Your voice?
Meanwhile, Donald Trump calls our military a disaster. Apparently, he doesn’t know the men and women who make up the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. He suggests America is weak. He must not hear the billions of men and women and children, from the Baltics to Burma, who still look to America to be the light of freedom and dignity and human rights. He cozies up to Putin, praises Saddam Hussein, tells our NATO allies that stood by our side after 9/11 that they have to pay up if they want our protection.
Well, America’s promises do not come with a price tag. We meet our commitments. We bear our burdens. That’s one of the reasons why almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago when I took office.
Ronald Reagan called America “a shining city on a hill.” Donald Trump calls it “a divided crime scene” that only he can fix. It doesn’t matter to him that illegal immigration and the crime rate are as low as they’ve been in decades—because he’s not actually offering any real solutions to those issues. He’s just offering slogans, and he’s offering fear. He’s betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election.
And that’s another bet that Donald Trump will lose. And the reason he’ll lose it is because he’s selling the American people short. We’re not a fragile people. We’re not a frightful people. Our power doesn’t come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order as long as we do things his way. We don’t look to be ruled. Our power comes from those immortal declarations first put to paper right here in Philadelphia all those years ago: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that We the People, can form a more perfect union.