Electing Trump Would Be ‘Historic Mistake': Clinton
The former secretary of state said Trump is "temperamentally unfit" to be president
By Catherine Lucey ••
WASHINGTON — In a unanimous vote Saturday, the Alexandria City Council has decided to change the name of Jefferson Davis Highway, a roadway named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. “I could honestly say, personally, raise my taxes to pay for it, to satisfy my parents, my grandparents,” Councilman Willie F. Bailey Sr. said. The council discussed the possibility…
Previewing a rancorous fall campaign, Hillary Clinton assailed Donald Trump on Thursday as a potential president who would lead America toward war and economic crisis. She portrayed her own foreign policy as optimistic, inclusive and diplomatic, born from long experience in public life.
There was nothing diplomatic in her remarks, a clear indication of how she'll take Trump on. Electing him, she said, would be "a historic mistake."
During a speech in San Diego that was billed as a foreign policy address, the Democratic former secretary of state unloaded on her likely Republican election opponent, counting down reasons he is not qualified - from his aggressive Twitter attacks to his emotional outbursts.
"He is not just unprepared; he is temperamentally unfit," she told supporters in a ballroom. "We cannot let him roll the dice with America."
She said a Trump presidency could spark nuclear conflicts overseas and ignite economic catastrophe at home.
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President-elect Donald Trump gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in New York.
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A woman watches election results during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night rally in the Jacob Javits Center glass enclosed lobby in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Bill Clinton, left, and Hillary Clinton vote at Douglas G. Griffin School Nov. 8, 2016, in Chappaqua, New York.
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Donald Trump and his wife Melania fill out their ballots at a polling station in a school on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York City.
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Donald Trump holds up a Donald Trump mask during a campaign speech, Nov. 7, 2016, in Sarasota, Florida.
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Minerva Trupin places an I Voted sticker on the jacket of Tim Kaine, after he voted in Richmond, Virginia, on Nov. 8, 2016.
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Eric Trump, looks at his wife, Lara Yunasska's, voting booth at the 53rd Street Library in New York, on Nov. 8, 2016. Hillary Clinton, the first female nominee of a major party in U.S. history, held a narrow lead over her rival, Donald Trump, in most pre-election polls.
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Donald Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally on Nov. 8, 2016, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Hillary Clinton greets Lady Gaga backstage after a campaign rally at North Carolina State University on Nov. 8, 2016, in Raleigh North Carolina.
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US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (3rd-L) stands with US President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton during a rally on the final night of the 2016 US presidential campaign on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 07, 2016.
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Barack Obama addresses the crowd during a rally for Hillary Clinton, on Independence Mall, on Nov. 7, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signs autographs backstage after a campaign rally at Grand Valley State University on Nov. 7, 2016, in Allendale, Michigan.
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Supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump hold hands and pray during a campaign rally at the Sioux City Convention Center Nov. 6, 2016, in Sioux City, Iowa.
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Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign rally at Grand Valley State University on Nov. 7, 2016, in Allendale, Michigan. With one day to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena Nov. 7, 2016, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Women listen to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as he holds a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena Nov. 7, 2016, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally on Nov. 7, 2016, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Supporters attend a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Nov. 7, 2016, in Sarasota, Florida.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up a mask of his own that was given to him by someone in the crowd during a campaign speech in Sarasota, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016.
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Hillary Clinton, left, accompanied by LeBron James, right, takes the stage at a rally at the Cleveland Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Nov. 6, 2016.
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A supporter of Donald Trump recites the pledge of allegiance during a campaign rally at the Sioux City Convention Center Nov. 6, 2016, in Sioux City, Iowa.
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Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign rally at C.B. Smith Park on Nov. 5, 2016, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. With three days to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Florida and Pennsylvania.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania Trump during a campaign rally the Air Wilmington Hangar located at Wilmington International Airport Nov. 5, 2016, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Trump and his opponent, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, are campaigning in key battleground states that each must win to take the White House.
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Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds, on Nov. 5, 2016, in Tampa, Florida.
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Jay Z, right, and Beyonce, left, seen after they perform during a Get Out The Vote concert for Hillary Clinton at Wolstein Center on Nov. 4, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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A young supporter holds a doll of Hillary Clinton during a campaign rally at The Great Hall at Heinz Field on Nov. 4, 2016, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Beyoncé, with pantsuit-clad backup dancers, performs during a 'Get Out The Vote' concert in support of Hillary Clinton in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2016.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks with patrons at Love's Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Nevada, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up a sign handed from the crowd after speaking during a campaign rally in Concord, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., accompanied by performer Pharrell Williams, right, appear on stage at a rally at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016.
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Ivanka Trump looks at an onion slide during a campaign stop for her father, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at the Founders Academy, a public chartered school in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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Six-year-old Eli Townsend dresses like Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center Nov. 3, 2016, in Jacksonville, Florida. With less than a week before Election Day, Trump and Hillary Clinton, are campaigning in key battleground states that each must win to take the White House.
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Melania Trump walks on stage to deliver a speech at the Main Line Sports Center in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 3, 2016.
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Bernie Sanders, center right, greets attendees as he campaigns for Hillary Clinton at the University of Cincinnati, on Nov. 3, 2016, in Cincinnati.
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A supporter looks on as Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally at Pitt Community College on Nov. 3, 2016, in Winterville, North Carolina.
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Hillary Clinton watches the World Series baseball game between the Chicago Cub and the Cleveland Indians after her final campaign rally of the day at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. The Cubs went on to win their first World Series title in 108 years. “They did it! 108 years later and the drought is finally over. Way to make history, @Cubs. #FlyTheW,” Clinton tweeted.
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A girl wears a crown made from pipe cleaners during a campaign rally for Donald Trump at the Orlando Amphitheater at Central Florida Fairgrounds on Nov. 2, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.
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A worker takes a picture of Hillary Clinton as she greets employees at The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on Nov. 2, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Donald Trump chairs a meeting with a group of small business owners before a campaign rally the Orlando Amphitheater at Central Florida Fairgrounds on Nov. 2, 2016, in Orlando, Florida. With less than a week before Election Day, Trump and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, are campaigning in key battleground states that each must win to take the White House.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greets workers at The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on Nov. 2, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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A mannequin of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is on display outside an outhouse used as an unofficial voting booth at Chris Owens's farm on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Ashland, New Hampshire. A week before Election Day, a New Hampshire farm stand owner has decided to tally customers' votes for president from an outhouse-turned-fake-voting booth. The winner: Hillary Clinton.
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Hillary Clinton, left, greets supporters with former Miss Universe Alicia Machado during a campaign rally at Pasco-Hernando State College East Campus on Nov. 1, 2016, in Dade City, Florida. As her national lead shrinks in the final week of the race, Clinton is has renewed her attacks on Trump over his treatment of women. She was introduced by Machado whom Trump has repeatedly insulted for her weight gain.
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Jerry Lambert displays a dollar bill with an image of Donald Trump on it ahead of a Mike Pence campaign stop in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Oct. 28, 2016.
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Vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., introduces Donald Trump before a speech on healthcare, Nov. 1, 2016, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Both assailed Obamacare for its rising premiums and for "killing jobs," promising to repeal and replace it if elected on Nov. 8.
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Hillary Clinton holds a masquerade mask as she jokes with members of her staff aboard her campaign plane on Oct. 31, 2016, in Erlanger, Kentucky.
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A woman weeps as she listens to Donald Trump address a campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, his seventh visit to the state during this election season, Oct. 29, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Singer Jennifer Lopez, Hillary Clinton and singer Marc Anthony raise their arms during a Get Out The Vote concert on Oct. 29, 2016, in Miami, Florida.
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Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign rally on Oct. 28, 2016, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With less than two weeks to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Iowa.
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Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Raddison Hotelnon Oct. 28, 2016, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Trump is in a close race with opponent Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
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Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama greet supporters during a campaign event at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Oct. 27, 2016, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The first lady joined Clinton for the first time to campaign for the presidential election.
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Donald Trump greets the crowd at a campaign rally on Oct. 27, 2016, in Springfield, Ohio. Trump spent the day campaigning in Ohio. With less than two weeks to go until election day, Donald Trump continues to campaign in tight battleground states.
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Hillary Clinton holds up a baby as she greets members of the audience after speaking at a rally at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida on Oct. 26, 2016.
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Donald Trump is reflected in a mirror as he speaks during the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel- Old Post Office, on Oct. 26, 2016, in Washington.
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A protestor holds up a sign against Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, Oct. 26, 2016, in New York City. The New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) organized the protest.
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Gregg Donovan, who calls himself the unofficial ambassador of Hollywood, places a sticker for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Trump's vandalized star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. Det. Meghan Aguilar said investigators were called to the scene before dawn Wednesday following reports that Trump's star was destroyed by blows from a hammer.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reacts to a reporters questions about her birthday before boarding her campaign plane at Miami International Airport in Miami, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, to travel to Lake Worth, Fla. for a rally. Clinton turns 69 on Oct. 26.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Florida Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla. wave after speaking at a rally at Broward College in Coconut Creek, Florida, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016.
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A supporter holds a doll as democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally at Broward College on Oct. 25, 2016, in Coconut Creek, Florida. With two weeks to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Florida.
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An employee of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump grabs his tie as they pose for photographs during an event at Trump National Doral, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Miami. Several dozen employees stood with the Republican nominee as he boasted about the golf course and said that 80 percent of his workers were of Hispanic origin. Insisting it wasn't rehearsed, Trump invited employees to the microphone to offer their support.
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An employee of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about working for him during a campaign event at Trump National Doral, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Miami.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, right, accompanied by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wave as they arrive at a rally at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016.
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US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds a campaign rally with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (R) and New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan (L), on Oct. 24, 2016, at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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People arrive for the campaign rally of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Oct. 24, 2016, in Tampa, Florida.
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People wait for the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for his campaign rally at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Oct. 24, 2016, in Tampa, Florida.
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Singer Katy Perry canvasses for Hillary Clinton in a dorm at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Oct. 22, 2016, in Las Vegas.
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Singer Katy Perry canvasses for Hillary Clinton in dorm rooms at UNLV on Oct. 22, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Craig Wendel, left, wearing a picture mask of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and his wife Jill Wendel, of Naples, Florida, pose for a photo with a person wearing a picture mask of Democratic presidential candidate of Hillary Clinton during a Trump campaign rally Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Naples, Florida.
@gabbbaaaaaaa, @AimeeCho4
Miley Cyrus knocked on dorm room doors and posed with students on Oct. 22, 2016, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, in an effort to get people to vote in the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 8. Cyrus was encouraging people to vote for Hillary Clinton.
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Hillary Clinton shakes hands with Donald Trump while attending the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Oct. 20, 2016, in New York City. The white-tie dinner, which benefits Catholic charities and celebrates former Governor of New York Al Smith, has been attended by presidential candidates since 1960 and gives the candidates an opportunity to poke fun at themselves and each other.
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Three girls look at the photo they took with President Barack Obama after Obama spoke about the Affordable Care Act, on Oct. 20, 2016, at Miami Dade College in Miami. The president is promoting his health overhaul by saying that never in U.S. history has the uninsured rate been lower than it is today.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Delaware County Fair, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Delaware, Ohio.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during the third presidential debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during the third presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at UNLV in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greets supporters Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen after the third presidential debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.
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Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) speaks with Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence after the third U.S. presidential debate at the Thomas & Mack Center on Oct. 19, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listen as he speaks during a campaign rally, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Donald Trump stands with Women for Trump as he speaks to supporters at a rally on Oct. 14, 2016, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump kisses a "Women for Trump" sign during a campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, in Lakeland, Florida. Four women accused Trump in articles published Wednesday of having touched them in an inappropriate manner, adding to the growing list of women who say Trump has insensitively treated them as objects over several decades.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets members of the audience after speaking at a rally at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colorado, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, to attend a rally.
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President Barack Obama campaigns for Hillary Clinton at a "Get Out the Early Vote" rally at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 14, 2016. Early voting began on Oct. 12 in Ohio.
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A protester disrupts Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as she speaks at a rally at Miami Dade College in Miami, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016.
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Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore campaign together at the Miami Dade College - Kendall Campus, Theodore Gibson Center on Oct. 11, 2016, in Miami, Florida.
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Donald Trump holds a child dressed as him during a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 10, 2016. Trump asked the boy if he wanted to go back with his parents or stay with him. “Trump!” the kid replied.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016.
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Melania Trump, wife of Donald Trump passes former President Bill Clinton before the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, second from left, his wife Melania Trump, third from left, and family members appear on stage after the presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016.
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Campaigners wave flags and placards as the 'Stop Trump' campaign bus passes St Paul's Cathedral, urging American expats across the UK to register and vote in the November US election on Sept. 21, 2016, in London, England. Millions of Americans live abroad (over 220,000 in the UK), but only 12 percent of them vote, and the deadline to register is fast approaching in some US states.
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First lady Michelle Obama waves during a campaign rally in support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and vice presidential candidate, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
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People walk at the corner of 47th Street and 7th Avenue in Times Square, in New York City as an animated digital billboard supporting Donald Trump plays behind them on Sept. 15, 2016. The billboard was paid for by a pro-Trump political action committee (Super PAC) called 'Committee to Restore America's Greatness.' The billboard will run in Times Square through the end of the week before moving on to I-4 highway corridor in Florida.
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A supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wears a decorative hat at a voter registration rally, Aug. 16, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump reacts to the cries of 3-month-old Kellen Campbell, of Denver, right, while holding 6-month-old Evelyn Keane, of Castel Rock, Colorado, after Trump's speech at the Gallogly Event Center on the campus of the University of Colorado on July 29, 2016 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
"There's no risk of people losing their lives if you blow up a golf course deal, but it doesn't work like that in world affairs," Clinton said of the celebrity businessman. "The stakes in global statecraft are infinitely higher and more complex than in the world of luxury hotels."
She mocked Trump's Twitter blasts and predicted he was preparing more as she spoke. As if on cue, he tweeted after she finished: "Bad performance by Crooked Hillary Clinton! Reading poorly from the telepromter! She doesn't even look presidential!"
Bad performance by Crooked Hillary Clinton! Reading poorly from the telepromter! She doesn't even look presidential!
Trump, meanwhile, got an endorsement he'd been seeking, from Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, who had resisted even after the businessman clinched the GOP nomination.
Clinton's robust assault on Trump was widely carried on television, a change for the leading Democratic candidate who's frequently struggled to break through coverage of Trump.
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She is ramping up her criticism of the presumptive Republican nominee and trying to quell concerns within her own party that she isn't ready to rumble with the famously combative Trump. She offered a number of aggressive new attack lines, at times baiting Trump to respond by calling him "thin skinned."
She hit Trump for his reality television past, for his snarky Twitter feed, for his hotel experience.
She ran down a list of people he has insulted, including the pope.
And she assailed Trump over many statements, criticizing him for seeking to ban Muslims from entering the country, for talking about leaving NATO and for suggesting Japan could one day acquire nuclear weapons.
"He has the gall to say prisoners of war like John McCain aren't heroes," Clinton said. "He says he has foreign policy experience because he ran the Miss Universe pageant."
Emphasizing her experience as first lady, senator and secretary of state, Clinton said she recognizes what it means to deploy American troops and would provide the steady diplomacy the country needs.
Clinton and Trump offer starkly different visions of U.S. foreign policy. Her proposals reflect the traditional approach of both major parties. Despite differences on some issues, such as the Iraq war and Iran, Democratic and Republican presidents have been generally consistent on policies affecting China, Russia, North Korea, nuclear proliferation, trade, alliances and many other issues.
Trump's "America first" approach is short on details but appeals to angry voters who believe that successive leaders have weakened the country and have been duped into bad trade deals that cost American jobs.
Trump accused Clinton of lying about his foreign policy plans at a rally in Sacramento, California, Wednesday night.
"She lies. She made a speech and she's making another one tomorrow. And they sent me a copy of the speech and it was such lies about my foreign policy," Trump said.
"They said I want Japan ... to get nuclear weapons. Give me a break," he objected. "I want Japan and Germany and Saudi Arabia and South Korea and many of the NATO nations - they owe us tremendous. We're taking care of all these people. And what I want them to do is pay up."
Trump has suggested in the past that he might be OK with Japan one day obtaining nuclear weapons.
In recent days, Clinton has criticized Trump over his business practices, his resistance to disclose which charities received money he raised during a January fundraiser for veterans' causes, and the now-defunct Trump University. On Wednesday she called him a "fraud" and said the real estate mogul had taken advantage of vulnerable Americans.
Trump has pushed back. On the education company, he has maintained that customers were overwhelmingly satisfied with the offerings.
While Clinton is stressing her concerns about Trump, she is still dealing with her primary race. She needs just 70 more delegates to win the Democratic primary, but is dealing with a tough fight with rival Bernie Sanders in California.
Associated Press writers Lisa Lerer in Washington and Jill Colvin and Julie Pace in New York contributed to this report.
