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At VFW, Clinton Shows Support For Vets, Raises Questions About Trump

Hillary Clinton spoke to delegates at the national VFW convention at Charlotte Convention Center. Her speech streamed live over the VFW website.

Updated 5:30 p.m.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars have gathered in Charlotte for their annual convention. The VFW convention is a chance for presidential contenders to make their case as to why they would be the best commander in chief.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton spoke to the group Monday (Donald Trump speaks Tuesday). WFAE's Tom Bullock talks to Mark Rumsey about her speech

db072516HILLARY.mp3

2:30 p.m. 

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised and offered support for veterans and took a few jabs at her Republican opponent as she addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Charlotte Monday.  

In a speech at the Charlotte Convention Center, Clinton talked about the strength of the U.S. military and the U.S. economy. She called for new tax credits for businesses that hire veterans. And she said she’ll crack down on discrimination against veterans.

Clinton’s tone was positive, painting a picture of a country on the right track.

Her tone was different from that of Republican nominee Donald Trump, and Clinton took note of that. She said she's optimistic.

"I don’t understand people who trash talk about America, who talk about us as being in decline, who act as though we are not yet the greatest country that has ever been created on the face of the earth for all of history," Clinton said.  

Clinton criticized Trump for his past remarks in expressing support for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"One thing for certain you will not ever hear from me, is praise for dictators and strongmen who have no love for America," Clinton said.

She also said she has a track record of working with Republicans.

After the speech, Clinton met with campaign volunteers at the Neighborhood Theater in NoDa.

Meanwhile, Trump and running mate Mike Pence were scheduled to appear at a rally at the Winston-Salem fairground annex Monday night. Party officials say Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr also will be there.

Trump speaks at the VFW convention Tuesday morning.

Tom Bullock decided to trade the khaki clad masses and traffic of Washington DC for Charlotte in 2014. Before joining WFAE, Tom spent 15 years working for NPR. Over that time he served as everything from an intern to senior producer of NPR’s Election Unit. Tom also spent five years as the senior producer of NPR’s Foreign Desk where he produced and reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Haiti, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon among others. Tom is looking forward to finally convincing his young daughter, Charlotte, that her new hometown was not, in fact, named after her.
David Boraks previously covered climate change and the environment for WFAE. See more at www.wfae.org/climate-news. He also has covered housing and homelessness, energy and the environment, transportation and business.