Jennifer Lim's 2016 Democratic National Convention Speech

Jennifer Lim delivered a speec at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on 28 July 2016.

Transcript
One of my first memories is standing outside our Richmond, Virginia polling place with my dad to hand out campaign literature in support of our chosen candidates. Our chosen Republican candidates.

When it comes to campaigning, I have done it all: phone-banked voters and knocked on so many doors. I bet a lot of you did the same. One difference though: I campaigned exclusively for the GOP. Until this election.

I've voted Republican my entire life. I believe in the bedrock values of the Republican Party: liberty, equality, and the belief that there are individual rights that cannot be taken away. These are values to be proud of. And because the Republican party has abandoned those values this year, this Republican is voting for Hillary Clinton.

In Donald Trump's America, it doesn't matter what I'm an accomplished attorney and a policy expert, it just matters how attractive I am on a scale of one to ten. Trump's loathsome comments about women and our appearances are too many to repeat and too crass to repeat. They are too important to ignore, though. Trump can discount our accomplishments, he can disrespect our abilities, but come November he can't disregard our votes.

There are some who will say I'm voting for Hillary Clinton because she's a woman. People who say that dismiss my voice and Hillary's long record of public service. And I know there are some who are contemplating staying home this November. Your voice can help define the next chapter of American values, American policy, and American leadership around the world – for better, or for worse.

I'm here tonight to ask all of you to join me to not only oppose Donald Trump, but to support Hillary Clinton. Because we're not just Republicans and Democrats: we're Americans.

Thank you.