Michelle Obama on “birther” controversy: “Barack has answered those questions … by going high when they go low” https://t.co/MkcQj7DIyV
— CNN (@CNN) September 16, 2016
On Friday, Michelle Obama made her thoughts known on Donald Trump’s half-minute speech, in which the Republican nominee tried to wipe away his years of Birtherism in one sentence. He didn’t apologize, he didn’t explain, and he didn’t backtrack. He simply declared what non-conspiracy theorists have realized all along — that President Obama was born in the U.S. — and claimed Hillary Clinton was responsible for Birtherism (which is not true).
While stumping for Clinton in Virginia, Michelle let everyone know exactly how she felt about “Those who question and continue to question — for the past eight years, up to this very day — whether my husband was even born in this country.” She paused in a silence that said even more than her words, but she continued. “Well, during his time in office, I think Barack has answered those questions with the example he set. By going high when they go low.”
Earlier in the morning, Obama paused briefly during an Asian trade discussion to address the ridiculousness of Trump’s Birtherism, which goes to show how encompassing this day’s theme has been. All of this fuss came down to a half-minute speech, which left the press feeling Rick-rolled with some reporters retaliating by destroying footage. Hell, even Mark Cuban gave Trump an offer he couldn’t refuse in response.
Michelle used part of her speech to address the Birtherism matter, but she swiftly moved on to list several examples of progress that Obama has made before urging people to vote for Clinton, not the “erratic” Trump:
“See, at the end of the day, as I’ve said before, the presidency doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are. And the same thing is true of a presidential campaign. So if a candidate is erratic and threatening, if a candidate traffics in prejudice, fears, and lies on the trail. If a candidate has no clear plans to implement their goals. If they disrespect their fellow citizens, including folks who made extraordinary sacrifices for our country. Let me tell you that is who they are. That is the kind of president they will be.”
Michelle continued to discuss exactly how difficult it is to be president, and how the experience prevents anyone from hiding their true nature. She urged voters to choose someone who is “steady and measured” because “with every word they utter, they can start wars.” She believes Clinton, not Trump, is the candidate “who is truly ready for this job.”
Here’s Michelle Obama’s full speech from Fairfax, Virginia.
