CLEVELAND, Ohio — Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas praised Donald Trump during his speech at the Republican convention, arguing that Trump would renew the strength of the American military.
“Let me say again, this time directly to our troops,” he said. “In a Trump/Pence administration and with a Republican congress, help is on the way.”
Cotton took a shot at Hillary Clinton, quoting former Vice President Dick Cheney to remind Americans of the dangers that the Clintons posed when they were in charge of foreign policy. He also skewered her insecure private email account that she used to share classified information.
“It would be nice to have a Commander-in-Chief who can be trusted to handle classified information,” he said, as the audience cheered.
Cotton criticized the eight years of the Obama administration’s failure on the war on terror, specifically the president’s failed attempt to draw a red line in the conflict in Syria.
“We’d like a Commander-in-Chief who calls the enemy by its name,” he said, “A commander-in-chief who draws red lines cautiously but enforces them ruthlessly.”
Cotton highlighted his family’s record of service in the military, including his own decision to go fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Believe me. No man wants more war if he’s seen the face of war,” Cotton said, citing the first President of the United States George Washington. “The wisdom of the ages affirms the counsel of our first president — to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”