Clinton absolutely ready for commander-in-chief: Michelle

Hillary Clinton is “absolutely ready” to be the US’ commander-in-chief on day one as the Democratic presidential nominee and former secretary of state has more experience and exposure than any candidate “in our lifetime”, First Lady Michelle Obama has said.

During a rare joint appearance with Clinton at a North Carolina election rally on Thursday, Michelle contrasted Clinton’s vision of a “powerful, vibrant and strong” nation with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s vision of “hopelessness and despair”. “I am out here first and foremost because we have never had a more qualified and prepared candidate for president than our friend Hillary Clinton. Never before in our lifetime. I say this everywhere I go,” she said.

“I admire and respect Hillary. She has been a lawyer, a law professor, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the US, a US Senator, secretary of state. She has more experience and exposure to the presidency than any candidate in our lifetime. Yes, more than Barack (Obama). More than Bill (Clinton). So she is absolutely ready to be commander-in-chief on day one. And yes, she happens to be a woman,” she said.

In the past few weeks, Michelle, 52, has emerged as a strong advocate of Clinton, 69, and has made several impressive speeches in some of the key battle ground states.

“It takes a level of generosity of spirit to do what Hillary has done in her career, in her life, for our family, for this nation. If people wonder, yes, Hillary Clinton is my friend. She has been a friend to mine and Barack, Malia, Sasha and Bill and Chelsea have been embracing and supportive from the very day my husband took the oath of office,” she said.