Trump wrong Prez for our country, says Michelle Obama

WASHINGTON, August 18

Former first lady Michelle Obama launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump on Monday and urged Americans to elect Democrat Joe Biden in November to end the chaos created during the four years of Trump’s presidency.

In an impassioned speech capping the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Obama said the Republican Trump “has had enough time to prove that he can do the job” but had failed to meet the moment in a country reeling from the pandemic, economic turmoil and racial injustice.

“Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy,” she said, calling him “the wrong president” for the US.

“He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is,” Obama said. “If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.” Obama, whose husband, Barack Obama, was in the White House when Biden was vice-president from 2009-2017, capped a long parade of speakers, including some of Trump’s fellow Republicans, who gathered online to make the case for Biden at the start of his four-day nominating convention. The convention opened amid widespread worries about the safety of voting. — Reuters

Now, Pence to woo Indian-American voters

New Delhi: After the Democrats made the pitch for Indian-American votes on Independence Day through an hour-long discussion that featured Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, US Vice-President Mike Pence will address the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum later this month along with Indian Cabinet ministers S Jaishankar and Piyush Goel. TNS

Change of guard can end chaos

If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it. — Michelle Obama

Trump a threat to democracy

President Trump poses a threat to democracy and his disregard for science has jeopardised the economy and lives of Americans. The future of our planet is at stake. We must elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. — Bernie Sanders, democratic senator