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MICHELLE OBAMA DREW cheers from the crowds of the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia last night.
In a 15 minute speech, the first lady proved herself to be the political force she has long been known for, giving an impassioned endorsement for Hillary Clinton that brought the crowd to its feet.
With a determined look and a big smile, the current first lady lauded the former first lady, making the link between the woman who would be America’s first female president and her hopes for her two teenage daughters, Sasha and Malia.
“The hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country,” Obama said, in a thinly veiled swipe at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who will battle Clinton at the polls on 8 November.
“We know that our words and actions matter not just to our girls, but to children across this country,” said the 52-year-old Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer.
“This election, and every election, is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives,” she said.
“There is only one person who I trust with that responsibility, only one person who I believe is truly qualified to be president of the United States, and that is our friend, Hillary Clinton,” she said, before outlining the qualities of her husband’s 2008 primary rival.
“Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.”
Preserving a legacy
Armed with popularity ratings above 60 percent, Michelle Obama knows how to captivate an audience.
“I have seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are –- it reveals who you are,” she said.
In stumping for Clinton, Michelle has set aside any gripes left over from the tense 2008 campaign that saw her husband and this year’s Democratic nominee exchange barbs.
“Because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters — and all our sons and daughters — now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States,” she said last night to the packed arena in Philadelphia.
Obama said the contest between Trump and Hillary Clinton was “not Democrat or Republican, not left or right”, but “about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four to eight years of their lives”.
Speakers
Bernie Sanders endorsed Clinton in his speech last night, which drew boos from many in the crowd.
There were other well-known celebrity speakers at last night’s convention who are well known for having a keen interest in the politics of their country.
Comedian Sarah Silverman articulated the sense of betrayal that many Democratic Bernie Sanders supporters feel.
“As some of you may know, I support Bernie Sanders and the movement behind him,” Silverman told the cheering audience.
“Not only did Bernie wake us up, he made us understand what is possible and what we deserve. You know, my shrink says we don’t get what we want, we get what we think we deserve, and Bernie showed us that all Americans deserve quality healthcare.
“All it takes to accomplish this, it’s everyone, it’s all of us. Or as a pretty kickass woman once said – it takes a village,” Silverman said.
Another long-time supporter of Sanders, actress Susan Sarandon, also came under the media spotlight last night for looking notably unimpressed with the convention.
Actress Eva Longoria also took to the stage, hitting out at Trump’s rhetoric towards immigrants.
“I’m from a small town in South Texas, and if you know your history, Texas used to be part of Mexico. I’m ninth generation American. My family never crossed a border; the border crossed us.”
She made a clear reference to Trump’s June 2015 statement about Mexican immigrants in which he said they were “bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”
The Hollywood actress said Trump was insulting American families with his language.
“When Donald Trump calls us criminals and rapists, he’s insulting American families. My father is not a criminal or a rapist, in fact, he’s a United States veteran.”
The convention is not over yet. Tonight, Hillary Clinton will see her husband and former US President Bill Clinton take to the floor to support his wife.
This will be the first major input into his wife’s campaign.
With the convention under a cloud following allegations of the primary campaign being “rigged” by party headquarters, Clinton’s presence will aim to unify the party ahead of a general election campaign.
The former US President has thus far been a peripheral figure in his wife’s election campaign, but is expected to feature heavily in the coming months.
Popular
Clinton left office in 2001 with comparatively stellar approval ratings and is still popular with the American public.
He left the White House with 66% of the American public approving of the job he had done in eight years in charge.
Today, his wife’s favourable/unfavourable numbers are 51%/45%. His wife’s are a 38%-56% split with Americans. Trump’s are 34%-59%.
Shielded
With that in mind, it is surprising that Clinton has been a bit-player in the campaign so far.
However, there are legitimate concerns over him overshadowing Hillary and his profile being used as a attack point for Trump.
Balancing act
Much of the Clinton campaigns reluctance to use Bill stems from his outsize role in her 2008 bid for the Presidency, which left him a slightly diminished figure.
However, his stumping for Barack Obama, as well as his marquee speech at the 2012 DNC re-elevated him in the minds of the party faithful and moderates.
His ongoing contribution, however, will be a fine balancing act for the 2016 version of Hillary’s campaign.
With additional reporting by Christina Finn and AFP
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Appalling. No doubt the majority of perpetrators never see the inside of a prison cell.
Yesterday I read on this very site an article about a woman who was left for dead for several hours after her ex-partner battered her with a kettlebell.. then last week there was the story in Omeath and I read another story in my local newspaper a little while ago about a woman who had her knee caps smashed in a domestic incident. These women and women like them desperately need support and help to get themselves out of these violent life or death situations. So give over with the petty “boys vs girls” squabbling and lets support these services because with out them, i have no doubt there would be countless more deaths as a result of domestic violence
Did you read about the woman arrested today in connection with the murder of a musician in Sligo?
Dell, have you ever been a victim of domestic abuse? If not, shut up.
How about you take your own advice David!
You’re a waffler Del, you clearly haven’t a clue about domestic abuse beyond what you read in the independent. Men who have been victims of abuse, like my self are completely sickened by ignoramus’s like you.
So just because you were abused, then we shouldn’t help other people who were abused? Is that right? That my friend is real ignorance! I’ve written in a thread on a different article about my experience with being sexually abused as a child by a male neighbour so I’m very familiar abuse! And actually because of my experiences, I am more in favour of providing services and support to others. I don’t think that just because I suffered and didn’t have support that others shouldn’t, in fact my feelings are completely the opposite. I know the impact and think the more services and support people have the better. That’s what real empathy is!
Well its good to see you have changed your tune from your previous waffle
@Del Nobody is advocating for DV, for harming another person, what they are saying however is that it is a social, and cultural injustice for certain feminist groups to claim that DV can only be committed against women and children by men. This gives the wrong social impression that men don’t suffer from DV, they are well able to stand up for themselves and sure the tiny minority that might won’t really affect the figures that much.
Nothing could be further from reality. You cited a number of high profile DV cases against women recently and as others have said the studies have repeatedly shown there will be just as many carried out against men, we probably won’t hear about them but they’ll happen none the less. Other studies have proven that if a man is violent to a woman in a public place, within seconds people will intervene, whereas when a woman is violent to a man people do nothing, they laugh, some video the altercation, some cheer her on. Society assumes men are guilty of something, even when they’re being abused, we’ve been conditioned to believe this.
We often hear calls for equality, women call for it in the workplace, equality in pay, equality in all walks of life, and rightly so. But not when it comes to DV services. Ask for a breakdown of where the funding goes and I guarantee the doors will slam shut in your face, those precious few DV services there are for men like AMEN struggle for funding while the lions share goes to women’s groups, 95%+. I realise all these services have to fundraise themselves to make up the inevitable shortfall but this is anything but equality.
If the shoe were on the other foot and men were to attempt to socially condition the country to believe something that flies in the face of so much evidence to the contrary, to year after year take almost all the available grants, then turn around and preach about equality, we’d be rightly slaughtered. So why should women be spared this indignity? We’re either equal or we’re not.
@Del
Oh look, another 3 women arrested in the last half hour over a murder in West meath – http://www.thejournal.ie/six-arrested-stoskus-murder-investigation-2402872-Oct2015/
it just keeps on coming, doesn’t it?
Strange, you left out the fact that 3 men were also arrested Alan… I’m sure this was an honest mistake though!
Yvonne is right. If anything maybe this just highlights that both sexes are equally capable of violence, it’s absurd to believe that women are incapable of DV, we need to see it and address it as a social issue effecting both sexes equally.
We can’t seriously say, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, that DV is only committed by men against women therefore all the funding should go towards women’s groups, and in the next breath they want equality.
But Yvonne. That’s exactly what the entire organisation in the article does. so why not comment on that?
It’s exactly what Del just did, so why not comment on that?
To all the men, who are once again, hijacking another article highlighting the terrible DV abuse that some men cause… Get this… IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!
The day an article appears where 800 MEN have been victims, (and that won’t happen for a long time) feel free to comment all you want. Until then, think about what you can do in THIS CASE.
STOP trying to deflect the attention from a clearly extremely serious issue onto yourself please. You’ve not got one single comment to make here on anything in relation to what’s said in the article. And if you’ve been a victim, I would have thought you’d have at least some empathy!!
@Alexa Don’t you understand yet men are not trying to hijack this article, any I know are appalled by DV and by being automatically associated with it and by being labelled a potential abuser, a rapist, an abuser. This is representative of a small minority, not all, the rest of us have mothers, sisters, daughters and perhaps wives whom we care deeply for.
This article is primarily about DV, like you it only cares about the victims who are women and children, but statistically we know for a fact there are just as many male victims out there who have no services, who get no funding. As you’ve just commented, they have to listen to snide remarks from people who believe they and their plight doesn’t exist.
This isn’t about a lack of empathy, if anything that’s coming from you, male victims of DV live in the shadows, but they DO find it extremely insulting every time to listen to lectures about DV where they don’t exist, where there are all these services, but not for them. It simply isn’t equality.
Alexa you’re right of course. But whistling in the wind I’m afraid. They just can’t stop trying to get in on the act.
@ Sharkey. Again, what have you got to say about this article?? Any suggestions to stop domestic violence? How do the facts in the article affect you? Are you not appalled for these women and disgusted at the men who could commit such crimes against women?
Here’s a suggestion for you if you want equality. Join the DV fight and stop going on with the same old ‘what about me’ attitude pitting one against the other. It doesn’t work like that. Things just don’t work the other way around I’m afraid.
@ Sharky. And if you don’t like the fact that the article leaves out men, it’s because there were 800 WOMEN victims in one day!!! Not men. And some of them were pregnant!! Do you not find that appalling?? Put things into perspective please and focus.
All comments so far are from males. All try to detract from this particular article. Typical.
Do the maths there… They don’t give a damn unless it affects them, or they try and make it about themselves.
This is a serious social issue and needs to be sorted quickly so if you have an ulterior agenda just park it and focus on the problem at hand.
Carol, have you ever been a victim of domestic abuse? The levels of DV toward men are hugely under reported. Before you talk about maths, do I bit of research and break away from the narrow feminist out look.
Ive been called a lot of things but never a female
“All comments so far are from males. ”
So what? Do you think men should not have an opinion or there opinions are less than yours? That makes you a sexist. Simple as that.
“This is a serious social issue and needs to be sorted quickly so if you have an ulterior agenda just park it and focus on the problem at hand”
That’s exactly what has been said. It is a SOCIAL issue, NOT a gendered one. In fact, it is a relationship issue of you want to be accurate. I reject this group, and I also resent them getting a red cent of taxpayers money as they are sexist sanctimonious hypocrites that have no hesitation blaming one gender for a problem cause d by both genders,.
And you too are a sexist sanctimonious hypocrite.
@Carol If women wish to post articles and be taken seriously by all men and women then DV has to be taken seriously against both sexes, it cannot be assumed to be a crime perpetrated by men against women and children. Various studies have shown that women are just as capable of DV as men, who are far less likely to report it because of attitudes like this, multiple European and American studies have shown both sexes are equally violent.
What Alan said above is correct, if a man in this country is suffering from DV where are the refuges, where can he flee to a place of safety with his children? We’ve established that there are just as many men in this country suffering from DV but with little or no help for them out there. I can guarentee you if there was to be true equality in the morning and the funding for these services were to be split down the middle, male and female victims of DV getting 50% of the funding you’d see all these women’s groups loose their minds. As things stand they have direct representation into the Taoiseach’s Office, but men don’t have anything comparible, hardly equality is it?
Within hours of Garda Tony Golden’s death feminist groups were jumping on the bandwagon to associate the tragedy with DV, something I personally found apalling.
A brother of a friend of mine was in a very abusive relationship and ended up having to leave the family home. The judge gave custody to the mother ever though there was significant evidence to show she was abusive. He is paying for her lifestyle now under the guises of paying for the children and living in a bed sit. His advise is always be careful whobyou have kids with, ironically he is self victim blaming.
Was this woman abusive towards just him or the children. Surely if there was evidence of abuse towards the children she would not have got custody. Were they married?
Carol, these articles always bring out the what-about-us brigade
yeah, what about us Bridget? Do you have a problem with men speaking up? Does that hurt you so much?
Not at all Alan. Everyone’s opinion is important and men who are victims of domestic abuse who seek assistance and a safe place to stay have my full support. But this article is about women, and ‘what-about-us’ deflects from that. If it were a article about domestic violence towards men I would see no reason why women should come on and cry what-about-us. Everything isn’t about you, Alan
Such a misleading headline. They didn’t seek help on one day. They were in a shelter on one day and presumably entered those facilities over a period of time. The problem is bad enough and serious enough without sensationalist headlines.
Sorry John the report is not just refuges it also includes women who looked for support from specialized support services on that day too. This is the reality every day.
Yeah and the reality for men who are abused by there partners, is that they are forced to leave their home and children. All the while paying for their abusers lifestyle if they want to get paltry visitation with said children. None of this is ever reported and I hope a male relative or friend if yours Never goes through it.
I think John was referring to the headline and not the report itself Anne. The headline states that nearly 800 women and children sought help in one day. To me that suggests that on that particular day, there were 800 new instances of women and children seeking help from organisations, that that day was when they made initial contact. The report however, seems to indicate that the figure of 800 is the total number of cases being dealt with on that given day, not 800 new cases on top of previously existing cases from days and weeks prior. The headline for this article misrepresents the findings of the report. Pointing out the innaccuracy of the headline is not a criticism of the report itself.
Yet almost everyone in Ireland thinks its okay to hit kids.
This group above have no qualms whatsoever in not accepting the children of male victims of DV, yet shout about DV as if they have a monopoly on it. They can take a run and jump for all I care as long as that situation stays a reality.
They are just another propaganda group that uses emotive rhetoric on DV while selectively ignoring the very same children they pretend they give a shit about, if it so happens mammy is doing the violence.
They can all take a run and jump until they either become, or are forced to, become gender neutral.
Yeah I think a lot of people had to put up with a crazy mother at least once a month
@carmo, you dead right, shocking poll results again yesterday show the majority of Irish still think it acceptable to hit children.. Cowardly act hitting a defenceless child.
It’s great to see domestic abuse being highlighted in the media today (similar article written in the independent) but with both articles they fail to mention the percentage of males who suffer domestic violence, which is also a problem too in today’s society.
why are there so many different domestic violence groups, surely they should all amalgamate together, then the could cut out expensive board members and put the money towards victims………
The level of domestic abuse, in terms of emotional and mental abuse, within relationships of young people in their teens is scary. Young lads wanting their girlfriends viber location on to know where they are, their social media passwords, not wanting them out with friends, controlling behaviours
Where are you getting your statistics on the levels of emotional or mental abuse in teenage relationships?
There was an article last week on this very publication as to how levels of self harm between boys and girls are now even. How does that fit in with your take on things Selita?
Bren I have spent over a decade working in the youth sector, myself and my colleagues have noted the increase of emotional and mental abuse within relationships. Unhealthy control over another from what to wear, who they can talk to, where they can go etc. it has gotten to the stage where many of the young people see this as normal!
I would totally believe that to be true. We all carry nice shiny gps trackers in our pocket these days, and some spend all day sharing their every thought and impulse on them. Its possible that this gives some people a greater sense of entitlement to know the every detail of the lives of those around them, particularly their significant other (or whatever the politically correct terminology for yer moh is this week), and they got the means to get pretty close to being able to do that. And the desire to control others lives and actions has probably always been inherent in (some) people. So I’m no doubting that you’re seeing more of this invasive, controlling behaviour, but is it something you’re seeing exclusively in young lads? Or is it more prevalent in young lads?
Lads tis no point giving out here on journal about the lack of resourses for men of DV. Is there anything out there for men in these situations? And if not why not? And if there is nothing start a group/movement specifically for men of DV and let yourself be heard. Join up with other male issues such as suicide prevention unmarried fathers /fathers rights. Get onto law reform. Inform main stream media not just the comments section on journal. It goes nowhere.
Remember tis voting time coming around the corner start nagging all td’s all parties. http://www.contact.ie is very handy but remember after the voting you still need to hound gov bodies so that they are reminded that ye are out there and here to stay. I would support anything that helps men and women’s groups to stop this bullying /passive agression/dv. For society sake.
These organisations are discriminatory. The law is what needs to be changed. It’s that simple. They either allow men in or they get no money. That’s the solution.
How dare they call themselves “Safe Ireland” when they leave out half of the population.
They are safe place for some women not all if i read it right. It’s not ideal but to not have it would be worse. As its worse for men now with no support There needs to be a seperate one from men of dv. think a total overhaul of the law but they have being saying that for years. Start joining some mens groups get your voice heard you will not be heard here on journal.
No they’re not Alan. They were fought hard for. Go do it if you need the services and for Petes sake stop whining
Roisin, these articles are purposely biased to wind men up. Do women who are at risk deserve help? of course? But bodies such as SAFE are nothing but a bunch of feminist who want to vilify men because they are misandrists. As someone who has been a victim of DV, disgusting campaigns like the laughable “man up” are really hurtful. Women are as capable of violence as men(I know first hand) and while domestic violence toward men is not as destructive, it still deserves attend, and it never talked about in the media. In fact bodies like the national women’s council, openly lie about statistics simplely to increase their funding.
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