Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female to accept a major party’s nomination for president Thursday. A figure who has been on the national stage for decades, Clinton attempted to make her case to voters during her nomination speech in Philadelphia. She praised President Obama’s economic record, while simultaneously declaring government action and intervention is far from complete. Below is an excerpt from her remarks: I don’t think President Obama and Vice President Biden get the credit they deserve for saving us from the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes.Our economy is so much stronger than when they took office. Nearly 15 million new private-sector jobs. Twenty million more Americans with health insurance. And an auto industry that just had its best year ever. That’s real progress. But none of us can be satisfied with the status quo. Not by a long shot.We’re still facing deep-seated problems that developed long before the recession and have stayed with us through the recovery.I’ve gone around our country talking to working families. And I’ve heard from so many of you who feel like the economy just isn’t working.Some of you are frustrated even furious. And you know what??? You’re right. It’s not yet working the way it should.Americans are willing to work and work hard. But right now, an awful lot of people feel there is less and less respect for the work they do. And less respect for them, period.Democrats are the party of working people. But we haven’t done a good enough job showing that we get what you’re going through, and that we’re going to do something about it.So I want to tell you tonight how we will empower Americans to live better lives.My primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States… From my first day in office to my last! Especially in places that for too long have been left out and left behind.From our inner cities to our small towns, from Indian Country to Coal Country. From communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant closures.And here’s what I believe. I believe America thrives when the middle class thrives. I believe that our economy isn’t working the way it should because our democracy isn’t working the way it should.That’s why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. And if necessary we’ll pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United!I believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country should be just as patriotic in return. Many of them are. But too many aren’t. It’s wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips with the other.And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to wreck Main Street again. I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying clean energy jobs.I believe that when we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep families together – and it’s the right thing to do.Whatever party you belong to, or if you belong to no party at all, if you share these beliefs, this is your campaign. If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage… and no one working full time should have to raise their children in poverty… join us.If you believe that every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health care…join us. If you believe that we should say “no” to unfair trade deals… that we should stand up to China… that we should support our steelworkers and autoworkers and homegrown manufacturers…join us. If you believe we should expand Social Security and protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions… join us. And yes, if you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay… join us… Let’s make sure this economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.
Statements that matter: Hillary Clinton
