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Clinton: Trump's Election Talk 'Threatens' Democracy

Hillary Clinton accused Donald Trump on Friday of “threatening our democracy” by refusing to say that he will accept next month's election results.
Image: Hillary Clinton
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Andrew Harnik / AP

CLEVELAND — Hillary Clinton accused Donald Trump on Friday of “threatening our democracy” by refusing to say that he will accept next month's election results, adding that “the peaceful transition of power is one of the things that sets us apart.”

In her first campaign rally since Wednesday’s third and final debate, the Democratic nominee slammed Trump for taking such an unprecedented position.

"I've lost elections. You don’t feel very good the next day, do you? But we know in our country the difference between leadership and dictatorship, right?" she asked the crowd at Cuyahoga Community College.

Clinton urged Ohioans to turn out on November 8, regardless of which candidate they vote for, in order to "support American democracy."

And noting that the presidential debates are now behind her, Clinton argued that her performance shows she can handle the presidency.

"I have now spent four and a half hours on stage with Donald, proving once again: I have the stamina to be president,” the former secretary of state said to big cheers.

A recent feature of Clinton’s stump speech has been to reach out specifically to voters who might be "reconsidering" support for her opponent. “I know you may still have questions for me. I respect that. I want to answer them,” she said, before outlining her positive message and vision for the future.

But Clinton’s first order of business on Friday was to congratulate the home teams. Seconds after taking the stage, she applauded the Clevaland Indians for making it to the World Series and the Cavaliers for winning the NBA championship earlier this year.

"What a year for Cleveland! You really are 'Believe-land,'" she exclaimed, before joking that she was hoping for a "Great Lakes Series" against the Chicago Cubs.

Clinton is a lifelong Cubs fan and said it would be “a dream come true” to have both Cleveland and Chicago in the World Series and, she quickly added, "for us to win Ohio."

Ahead of the rally, Clinton met with Black Lives Matter activists to discuss "how they can advance equity and opportunity" in African American communities.