Clinton Calls Republican National Convention 'Perversely Flattering'
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- Hillary Clinton is calling the Republican convention "perversely flatteringly,'' saying the speakers spent more time talking about her than the problems facing the country.
"I never thought I'd say these words but Ted Cruz was right,'' Clinton said Friday at a campaign rally in Tampa. "In this election, do the right thing and vote your conscience.''
Cruz refused to endorse Trump during his remarks at the convention Wednesday, prompting boos and jeers from the Republican crowd.
Clinton says Trump's convention address offered a "dark and divisive'' vision of the future. Her GOP opponent, she says, offered "fear and anger and resentment'' but few solutions to the problems he highlighted in his Thursday evening speech.
"He doesn't speak for anyone who thinks our country should be standing together,'' she says.
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The comments mark Clinton's first extended remarks on the GOP convention and came as her campaign was expected to announce her running mate.
Clinton earlier made an impromptu stop at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the site of the deadly shooting rampage that killed 49 people. Clinton was joined by Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, first responders and community residents at the makeshift memorial outside the club.
She placed a bouquet of white flowers at the site next to a candle and a framed picture of a cross. Clinton made the brief visit after a somber meeting with community leaders and family members who were affected by the shooting.
She said that Americans must confront "hate and bigotry'' particularly against LGBT and minorities. Clinton said that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to be victims of a hate crime. She says: "It is still dangerous to be LGBT in America.''
Clinton is promising to "promote the kind of changes'' that would prevent future attacks, including banning assault weapons and dismantling online terrorist networks that radicalize Americans.
She spoke just a day after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised to do all he can to protect LGBT Americans.
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