Dayton, Flanagan make DNC convention speeches
Gov. Mark Dayton took the stage Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to make his pitch for electing Hillary Clinton president.
Dayton’s three-minute speech came several hours before Clinton was scheduled to accept the party’s nomination.
In it, he praised Clinton as “a trusted partner” when they served together in the U.S. Senate, and someone who will have real solutions to the problems Americans face.
“I’m here tonight in part because my home state of Minnesota has been hit hard by tragedy, and we’re not alone,” Dayton said. “Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Dallas, Texas; and Falcon Heights, Minnesota, should tell us that we need a wise, compassionate and strong leader for all Americans.”
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Dayton also took some jabs at Republican nominee Donald Trump. He said Clinton has dedicated her life to serving others, while Trump has dedicated his life to serving himself.
State Rep. Peggy Flanagan, DFL-St. Louis Park, also had a speaking slot on the convention’s final day.
Flanagan’s remarks were in the form of a letter to her 3-year-old daughter Siobhan, whom she said wants to be president when she grows up.
“Politics isn’t always fun,” Flanagan said. “Sometimes you run into some pretty mean people who don’t like you simply for being you. Like the naughty guy Donald Trump on TV. The one who says all those nasty things about women and about Native Americans like us.”
Flanagan also assured her daughter that Clinton will "keep our women safe, keep our veterans well-cared-for, and keep the promises the United States has made to our tribes."