Rep. Tammy Duckworth addressed the delegation at the Democratic National Convention Thursday, slamming Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“In Donald Trump’s America, if you get knocked down, you stay down,” Duckworth said to applause. “By the way, Donald Trump, I didn’t put my life on the line to defend our democracy so you could invite Russia to interfere in it. You are not fit to be Commander-in-Chief.”
The remark follows a comment Trump made Wednesday that encouraged Russia to uncover hacked emails involving Hillary Clinton. Trump said Thursday, however that he was "being sarcastic."
“My fellow Americans: We can choose a different path,” Duckworth said.
Duckworth, a U.S. Army veteran with a Marine father, stressed service and family values throughout her speech at the convention.
The congresswoman recounted losing both legs piloting a Black Hawk helicopter over Iraq, reminisced about the sacrifices her family made to help her fulfill her dream of completing college and gushed about her daughter, Abigail.
Duckworth, who is currently locked in one of the nation’s most highly-contested Senate races against incumbent Republican Mark Kirk, also gave a resounding endorsement of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
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“In 102 days, when we elect Hillary, my daughter’s first memories of a president will be of a woman,” Duckworth said.
At the end of her speech, made a call to fellow Democrats.
“Let’s go forward with confidence and pride in who we are and what we believe in,” Duckworth said. “We’re Democrats because we stand up for the most vulnerable among us. We embrace the notion that lifting one another up doesn’t cost nearly as much as leaving other Americans behind. We stand up for immigrant and people with disabilities. And we defend the basic values that have made- and will keep- America the greatest country in the world.”
Clinton is expected to address the delegation Thursday night to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination.
