Clinton Takes Down Trump’s Dark View Of US In Speech On National Service

FILE - In this June 3, 2016, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally in Culver City, Calif. Clinton opened her general election campaign against Donald Trump on June 8 by accus... FILE - In this June 3, 2016, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally in Culver City, Calif. Clinton opened her general election campaign against Donald Trump on June 8 by accusing him of behaving like a "demagogue," likening his attacks on judges, the media, his opponents and their families to dark moments in the world's history. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) MORE LESS
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In a speech on national service Friday, Hillary Clinton dismissed the dismal picture that Donald Trump has painted of the United States and called for Americans to come together and serve their community.

Speaking in Fort Pierce, Florida, Clinton referenced Trump’s campaign slogan, telling the crowd that this election is “not just about what makes America great—because I think that America already is great—but about what we should to to make it even greater.”

Clinton noted that at the Republican National Convention Trump described a “hopeless, broken nation.”

“I don’t see that,” she said. “That in no way resembles the strong and vibrant America I know.”

She also recalled that Trump told voters, “I alone can fix it,” saying that he has a “strongman approach” to leadership. Clinton said that Trump believes in “one person getting supreme power and exercising it ruthlessly,” citing his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It is never just one person, not even someone as powerful as the president,” she said, adding that positive achievements have “always happened because people have worked together.”

Clinton then pivoted to her call for a renewed focus on community service, praising members of Americorps and the Peace Corps present in the audience. She offered several proposals regarding service, including expanding Americorps and creating a national service reserve.

She said that service has always been a bipartisan issue, but suggested it was not one of Trump’s priorities.

“I don’t think you’ll here anything about this from my opponent,” she said. “I think that’s a shame.”

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