Clintons, Obamas unite as campaign draws to close

The Democratic Party’s brightest stars joined together in Philadelphia on Monday night to give Hillary Clinton one final boost in her quest to become the nation’s first female president. 

{mosads}Clinton delivered her closing argument in front of roughly 33,000 cheering supporters gathered outside Independence Hall, a political spectacle that capped off one of the most dramatic presidential races in history. 

President Obama, former President Bill Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama and Chelsea Clinton were all on hand, a display meant to show off a united Democratic Party heading into Election Day. 

After a vicious campaign in which she’s been attacked as corrupt and dishonest, Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, tried to reach for a more inspiring message to voters.

“Tomorrow, we face the test of our time,” she said. “Every issue you care about is on that ballot.”

While Clinton said she “regret[s] deeply” how angry the tone of the campaign become, she also blasted Republican nominee Donald Trump, saying it’s “horrifying” he might not accept the results of the election. 

She also warned that Trump could undo many of Obama’s accomplishments if he’s elected. 

“Years from today, when your kids and grandkids ask you what you did in 2016 when everything was on the line, I want you to say you did vote,” she said. 

For Obama, who recently described the presidency as a “relay race,” the moment represented a final passing of the baton to Clinton. 

The symbolism of the first black president stumping for the first potential female president in the shadow of where the nation’s founding documents were adopted was not lost in the crowd. 

And the 6-foot-1 Obama gave the 5-foot-5 Clinton a literal boost when he leaned down and placed a footstep for her in front of the lectern with a presidential seal affixed on the front. 

In his closing pitch, Obama served as a character witness for Clinton at her penultimate rally of the campaign, telling voters they don’t just have to cast a ballot against Trump. 

“You don’t just have to vote against someone,” Obama said. “You have somebody extraordinary to vote for. Philadelphia, you have someone outstanding to vote for in Hillary Clinton.” 

Obama said he’s bristled at some of the “the vicious crazy attacks” leveled against his former secretary of State. But he praised her for her ability to brush them aside.

“I am betting that, tomorrow, you will reject fear and that you’ll choose hope,” the president said.

He also cast Clinton as a protector of his White House legacy in perhaps the starkest terms he’s used all campaign season. 

“We turned ‘yes we can’ into ‘yes we did,’ ” Obama said, referring to his 2008 campaign slogan. “We now have the chance to elect a 45th president who will build on our progress. Who will finish the job.” 

The Clinton campaign saved its biggest show yet for Pennsylvania, a state that serves as a bulwark against Trump. 

Polls show she leads in the Keystone State, but her margins have narrowed in recent weeks. If she loses there, it would imperil her chances of winning the 270 electoral votes needed to become president. 

The event served as a reminder of the level of unity Democrats have been able to achieve during the 2016 campaign. 

Eight years ago, Obama and Clinton ran a bitter primary campaign against each other that exposed a split in the party. But they’ve largely put their differences aside with the hopes of keeping the White House in Democratic hands for a third consecutive term. 

It’s allowed Obama to leverage his near-record-high approval ratings to aid Clinton. And new spokespeople have emerged on her behalf, including Michelle Obama, whom Bill Clinton praised on stage as his wife’s most effective surrogate. 

“If we get out and vote tomorrow, Hillary Clinton will win,” the first lady told the crowd. “But if we stay home or play around with a protest vote, Hillary’s opponent will win. Period. End of story.”

It’s a contrast with Republicans, who have been deeply divided by Trump’s candidacy. Trump has not been able to count on former presidents or top leaders in Congress to campaign for him. 

But the GOP nominee hasn’t struggled to grab headlines. During a rally in Manchester, N.H., Monday night, he claimed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick support him. 

Back in Philadelphia, the Clinton campaign brought two rock legends out to entertain supporters on the chilly night before Election Day. 

Bruce Springsteen, an outspoken Democrat, warmed up the crowd with accosting renditions of “Thunder Road,” “Long Walk Home” and “Dancing in the Dark.”

Jon Bon Jovi also delivered a testimonial on Clinton’s behalf.

“I’m a Republican. I am a gun owner. I’m a Catholic. And I am with her,” said.