AFT’s Weingarten on the Second Presidential Debate

NEW YORK CITY—Statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the Oct. 9 presidential debate:

“While I expected some contrition from Donald Trump for his words and actions, he did quite the opposite. He was abrasive and insulting tonight—an angry man who relentlessly attacked Hillary Clinton and told lie after lie. He said he would put Hillary in jail, that American nuclear capacity is diminished, and that his video was ‘locker room banter.’ And he admitted he has not paid federal taxes for 20 years. He is unfit to be president.
 
“While Trump tried to brush off his rhetoric as ‘just words,’ educators know how much harm words can cause. Trump’s behavior is leading to increased bullying in our schools and infecting a generation of children. Hillary knows words matter, and she showed again tonight that she is a compassionate leader who will work to bring us together, not divide us.

“There was only one president on that stage tonight: Hillary Clinton. She was a class act. Her basic humanity, steadiness, and zeal to bring people together and fight for Americans showed through. Indeed, even Trump had to admit that Clinton is a fighter. We’re proud of her, and of the example she will set for our children in the White House.”