00:00I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies.
00:07I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously.
00:17That he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care.
00:28But he never did.
00:32For close to four years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work.
00:38No interest in finding common ground.
00:40No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends.
00:48No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.
00:59Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job because he can't.
01:04And the consequences of that failure are severe.
01:09170,000 Americans dead.
01:14Millions of jobs gone.
01:17While those at the top take in more than ever.
01:21Our worst impulses unleashed.
01:24Our proud reputation around the world badly diminished.
01:29And our democratic institutions threatened like never before.
01:33Tonight, I'm asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala's ability to lead this country out of these dark times and build it back better.
01:43But here's the thing.
01:45No single American can fix this country alone.
01:49Not even a president.
01:52Democracy was never meant to be transactional.
01:55You give me your vote, I make everything better.
01:58It requires an active and informed citizenry.
02:03So I'm also asking you to believe in your own ability to embrace your own responsibility as citizens.
02:11To make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure.
02:16Because that's what's at stake right now.
02:18Our democracy.
02:19They know they can't win you over with their policies.
02:23So they're hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote does not matter.
02:31That is how they win.
02:33That is how they get to keep making decisions that affect your life and the lives of the people you love.
02:41That's how the economy will keep getting skewed to the wealthy and well-connected.
02:46How our health systems will let more people fall through the cracks.
02:53That's how a democracy withers.
02:56Until it's no democracy at all.
02:59And we cannot let that happen.
03:03Do not let them take away your power.
03:07Do not let them take away your democracy.
03:11Make a plan right now for how you are going to get involved and vote.
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