Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Michelle Obama Stumps with Clinton, VP Candidate Pence in Plane Scare | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55361029
Caption:

First lady Michelle Obama embraces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as they arrive at a campaign rally in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria


U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made her first joint campaign appearance on Thursday with one of her most powerful supporters, first lady Michelle Obama, while the race suffered a scare when Republican Donald Trump’s running mate’s plane skidded off the runway.

No one was reported hurt in the incident, in which the plane carrying Indiana Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence came to rest in grass next to the runway after landing in the rain at New York’s LaGuardia airport.

Trump, speaking in Ohio, said he was grateful that those on the plane avoided “grave, grave danger.”

Clinton also expressed relief that no one was hurt.

The former first lady and secretary of state enlisted the current first lady, who enjoys sky-high support, in hammering Trump and making the case for a third straight Democratic term in the White House.

Obama earned thunderous roars of approval from a crowd of 11,000 as she took the stage with Clinton in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the swing states in play, where they accused Trump of seeking to depress turnout.

Obama has emerged as a compelling force in the hard-fought campaign, delivering powerful arguments against the Republican billionaire and in support of Clinton’s bid to become the first female U.S. president.

“She is ready to be commander-in-chief on Day 1, and yes, she happens to be a woman,” Obama said of Clinton, whom she called “my girl.”

“If people wonder: Yes, Hillary Clinton is my friend,” she said.

The 52-year-old wife of President Barack Obama has energized Democrats by criticizing Trump for his strident rhetoric and for what she brands his “frightening” attitude towards women.

Trump’s strategy was “to make this election so dirty and ugly that we don’t want any part of it,” she said.
“When you hear folks talking about a global conspiracy and saying that this election is ‘rigged,’ understand that they are trying to get you to stay home.”

Clinton has basked in the results of new polls showing her with an impressive lead with just 12 days to go.
North Carolina voted for Obama in 2008, then for Republican nominee Mitt Romney in 2012.

But Clinton has expanded her narrow lead to 2.4 points in the southeastern state, where Republican leaders worry that Trump’s slow collapse will hurt them in congressional races.

Clinton, whose campaign announced a large fundraising haul on Thursday, struck a tone of unity and optimism.

“As Michelle reminds us, this election is about our kids and, in my case, our grandkids,” Clinton said. “Starting right now, let’s come together. Let’s work together and be hopeful and optimistic and unified.”

The latest rolling poll average compiled by tracker RealClearPolitics showed Clinton, who turned 69 on Wednesday, with a 5.4 point lead in a national race against Trump and two outsiders — pointing to a likely electoral college victory for the Democrat.

In Toledo, Ohio, Trump quipped that the election should be scrapped.

“I am just thinking to myself right now we should just cancel the election and just give it to Trump,” he told the crowd.

Trump’s standing has been hit hard, particularly among female voters, since the release this month of a 2005 video in which he boasts that his celebrity allows him to grope women with impunity.

Trump meanwhile took heart from a new survey that shows him with a two-point lead in Florida, a state where presidential races are often won and lost — and a must-win state for him.

“We don’t want to give this away,” the combative candidate promised supporters in Ohio.

The RealClearPolitics poll average still puts Clinton ahead in Florida by 1.6 percentage points, but she wants to lock it in.