Hillary Clinton: On Tuesday, we face the 'test of our time'
On the eve of the election, Hillary Clinton spoke to an estimated 40,000 people in Philadelphia, urging them to "think about how throughout our history, generations of Americans just like us have come together to meet the tests of their time."
"It started right here in Philadelphia, when representatives from 13 unruly colonies came together to launch the greatest experiment the world has ever seen," she continued. "Our parents and grandparents defended that democracy, they built the great American middle class, they marched for civil rights and voting rights and for worker's rights and women's rights, for LGBT rights, and rights for people with disabilities. Tomorrow, we face the test of our time. What will we vote for, not just against?"
It's more than just voting for a name on a ballot, Clinton said — issues are also at stake. "If you believe that America thrives when the middle class thrives, then you have to vote," she said. "If you believe all of our kids should have good schools and good teachers no matter what ZIP code they live in, then you have to vote." People who are concerned about college affordability, guaranteed equal pay for women, common sense gun reform, raising the minimum wage, and reforming "our criminal justice system, so everyone has respect for the law and everyone is respected by the law, you have to vote." Clinton also shared that she "deeply" regretted how "angry the tone of the campaign became," and smiled when a crowd member yelled, "Not your fault!" She ended her speech by telling the crowd that when their children and grandchildren ask what they did in 2016, "when everything was on the line, I want you to say you voted. You voted for an inclusive, big-hearted, open-minded country, a future that makes sure we all keep moving together, because I do believe we are stronger together." Catherine Garcia
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China rattle markets
Speed read The tariffs on America's top three trading partners are expected to raise the prices of everything from gas and cars to tomatoes and tequila
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Elon Musk operatives access US payment system, aid
Speed Read The Trump administration has given Musk's team access to the Treasury payment system, allowing him to track and control government spending
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - February 3, 2025
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - TikTok on the hook, DEI dumped, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China rattle markets
Speed read The tariffs on America's top three trading partners are expected to raise the prices of everything from gas and cars to tomatoes and tequila
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Elon Musk operatives access US payment system, aid
Speed Read The Trump administration has given Musk's team access to the Treasury payment system, allowing him to track and control government spending
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government use
Speed Read The artificial intelligence research company has launched a new version of its chatbot tailored for the US government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Caroline Kennedy urges Senate to reject RFK Jr.
Speed Read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin said he should not become President Donald Trump's health secretary, calling his medical views 'dangerous'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
GOP senator reneged on voting against Hegseth
Speed Read North Carolina senator Thom Tillis provided the deciding vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published