Watch Michelle Obama's Closing Argument to Vote For Biden
Michelle Obama's Plea to Americans: "Vote For Joe Biden Like Your Lives Depend on It"
Michelle Obama is pleading eligible voters to understand what our country needs right now: a fresh start. On Oct. 6, the former First Lady shared a 24-minute video calling out President Trump's blatant ignorance in handling the COVID-19 crisis, his refusal to recognise racism, and overall negligence in acknowledging the issues that plague this country. "From his constant downplaying of the importance of masks and social distancing, to his relentless pressure on schools to open without offering a clear plan or meaningful support to keep students and teachers safe," Obama said. "We simply cannot trust this president to tell us the truth about anything."
More than 200,000 American lives have been taken by this vicious virus, "and the worst part is: it didn't have to be like this," she said. "Look around the world, so many countries aren't experiencing this level of extended suffering and uncertainty. These countries were hit by the same virus as we were, they had the same kind of resources to contain it as we did, but what they didn't have to contend with was this president. A man who had every resource at his disposal, the finest medical experts, our best intelligence, and yet ignored all the advice and failed to produce a plan to provide enough tests for worried families or protective equipment for our healthcare workers. A man who knew how deadly this virus is but who lied to us and told us it would just disappear."
"We can no longer pretend that we don't know who and what this president stands for."
She called out his disregard for the virus by holding massive public events that do not require masks or social distancing, and how he "continues to gaslight the American people and act like this pandemic is not a real threat." The presidential election is less than a month away, and although we're inundated by political ads and headlines, Obama encouraged voters to tune it out for a few minutes and truly reflect on what we want the next four years to look like. "We can no longer pretend that we don't know who and what this president stands for. Search your hearts, and your conscience, and then vote for Joe Biden like your lives depend on it."
Obama also speaks to Biden's values, as a politician and as a human being who has experienced tragedy but never once lost hope. "Joe Biden has lived his life guided by values and principles that mirror ones that most Americans can recognise. I know Joe, he's a good man who understands the struggles of everyday folks," she said.
But aside from the condemnation of how the president has handled the pandemic, systemic racism, and overall concern for the American people, Obama made an incredible point about Trump's values. "How a president focuses their time and energy in office is a direct reflection of the life they've lived before entering the White House," she said. "A president's policies are a direct reflection of their values. We're seeing that truth on display with our current president, who has devoted his life to enriching himself, his family, and other wealthy people he truly understands." Watch the full, powerful video from Michelle Obama above.
