Former US President Bill Clinton rooted for Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Wednesday, saying the country faced a “clear choice” between the US Vice-President and the "other guy" — a reference to former President Donald Trump — when they vote for the next President later this year.
“We’ve got a pretty clear choice, it seems to me. Kamala Harris, for the people. And the other guy who has proved, even more than the first go-around, that he’s about me, myself and I,” Clinton was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
The Democrats are looking to build on the momentum generated for presidential candidate Harris since she assumed the party’s presidential ticket last month. They want to harness the enthusiasm that surged once President Joe Biden stepped down from the race while also underscoring to their supporters that they face a fierce battle with Trump.
Clinton was meant to add weight to the third night of the DNC, which was headlined by the introduction of vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz to the national audience. Minnesota Governor Walz came into the spotlight after Harris decided to make him her running mate.
Clinton, who was President from 1993 to 2001, is a seasoned veteran of his party’s political conventions, with experience spanning decades. He was famously dubbed the “secretary of explaining stuff” by Barack Obama, who benefitted from Clinton’s speech at the DNC that helped his reelection in 2012.
In his speech, Clinton accused Trump of creating chaos during his term as US President.
“What does her (Harris') opponent do with his voice? He mostly talks about himself. So the next time you hear him, don’t count the lies, count the I’s,” he said, as quoted by AP.
According to the Washinton Examiner, Clinton said Harris “is the only candidate in this race who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and, yes, the sheer joy, to get stuff done”.