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Hillary Clinton Says 'America Is at a Moment of Reckoning' in Democratic Convention Speech — Grade It

Hillary Clinton on Thursday night gave the most important speech of her long career in public service and politics — but did her remarks at the Democratic National Convention sway your vote?

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“America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying,” said Clinton. “And just as with our founders there are no guarantees. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we will all work together so we can all rise together.”

Below, some excerpts of Clinton’s most memorable quotes from the speech:

* “My mother Dorothy was abandoned by her parents as a young girl. She ended up on her own at 14, working as a house maid. She was saved by the kindness of others… She made sure I learned the words of our Methodist faith: ‘Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.'”

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* “I sweat the details of policy – whether we’re talking about the exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental health facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs. Because it’s not just a detail if it’s your kid, if it’s your family. It’s a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your president, too.”

* “I will be a President for Democrats, Republicans, Independents. For the struggling, the striving, the successful. For all those who vote for me and for those who don’t. For all Americans together!”

* “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 will pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United!”

* “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. And 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 hard-working 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. So, 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 with their workers, 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 steel workers and auto workers and homegrown manufacturers… then, join us. If you believe we should expand Social Security and protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions… then join us. And yes, yes, if you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay… join us!”

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* “Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition free for the middle class and debt-free for all! We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt. It’s just not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts, but students and families can’t refinance their debts. And here’s something we don’t say often enough: College is crucial, but a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. We will help more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing it. We will give small businesses like my dad’s a boost. Make it easier to get credit. Way too many dreams die in the parking lots of banks. In America, if you can dream it, you should be able to build it. We will help you balance family and work. And you know what, if fighting for affordable child care and paid family leave is playing the ‘woman card,’ then Deal Me In!”

* “We’re not only going to make all these investments, we’re going to pay for every single one of them. And here’s how: Wall Street, corporations, and the super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes. This is not because we resent success. Because when more than 90% of the gains have gone to the top 1%, that’s where the money is.”

* “[Trump] talks a big game about putting America First. Well, please explain what part of America First leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado; Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan; Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio; Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin. Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again – well, he could start by actually making things in America again.”

* “Donald Trump says, and this is a quote, ‘I know more about ISIS than the generals do….’ No, Donald, you don’t. He thinks that he knows more than our military because he claimed our armed forces are a disaster. Well, I’ve had the privilege to work closely with our troops and our veterans for many years, including as a Senator on the Armed Services Committee. I know how wrong he is. Our military is a national treasure.”

* “Ask yourself: Do you really think Donald Trump has the temperament to be Commander-in-Chief? Donald Trump can’t even handle the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. He loses his cool at the slightest provocation. When he’s gotten a tough question from a reporter. When he’s challenged in a debate. When he sees a protestor at a rally. Imagine, if you dare… imagine him in the Oval Office facing a real crisis: A man you can bait with a Tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons.”

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* “We can’t afford to have a President who’s in the pocket of the gun lobby. I’m not here to repeal the Second Amendment. I’m not here to take away your guns. I just don’t want you to be shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place.”

* “Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of young black and Latino men and women who face the effects of systemic racism, and are made to feel like their lives are disposable. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of police officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off to do a dangerous and necessary job. We will reform our criminal justice system from end-to-end, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

What did you think of Hillary Clinton’s DNC speech? Grade it in our poll below, then sound off in the comments! (We’ll add video as soon as it’s available!)

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