OHIO, USA — Wednesday marked night three of the virtual Democratic National Convention.
There has been one persistent theme in the Democratic National Convention so far: to portray President Donald Trump in highly personal ways as one unsuited for the White House both in skills and temperament. And no one, not even former President Barack Obama, has been holding back.
All week long, Rep Marcia Fudge has shared her perspective with 3News' Russ Mitchell ahead of the Convention's start. On Wednesday the two discuss the evening speakers, her thoughts on President Trump calling for the boycott of Akron-based Goodyear and more.
View an exert from their conversation below:
Russ: Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, once again, thanks for joining us tonight for night three.
Congresswoman Fudge: Glad to be with you.
Russ: What should we expect tonight?
Congresswoman Fudge: I am so pumped about tonight, Russ, I can barely contain myself. First, of course, we’re going to hear from some of my very favorite people. We’re going to hear from the Speaker of the House. We’re going to hear from Hillary Clinton, we’re going to hear from Elizabeth Warren. It is ladies’ night, Russ.
Russ: Let me ask you, Congresswoman, about something that happened today, the news of the day, if you will, outside of the convention. President Trump called for a boycott of Goodyear here in Ohio. What’s your reaction to that?
Congresswoman Fudge: Not the same person that wears hats that say ‘Make America Great.’ You can’t make America great if you would ask for a boycott of a company that employs thousands of people, a company that has always been a strongly supportive company of this nation, of the city of Akron, of which I’m also a representative. I think it was just a horrible, horrible, despicable thing to say. And I hope that the people of this nation will know better and just ignore it.
Russ: Donald Trump won Ohio in 2016. Taking this into account and everything, I know you think Ohio is in play this time. Why?
Congresswoman Fudge: I do. Well, I think it’s in play for a number of reasons. One now is that he has a record. You know, he asked us some time ago, what do you have to lose? Now we know what we have to lose, Russ. And so I think that now that his record is there and everybody sees it. I think that that’s going to hurt him. I also think that his dependence on working class people that he has tried to vilify and put down since the time he took office is going to hurt him. I think that his hatred for immigrants, for people who are poor or people who need help is going to hurt him. I think that the way he treats women is going to hurt him. And so I think that we have an awfully good chance at winning Ohio.
Russ: Given the fact that this is a swing state, in an election year, were you surprised that he made that comment?
Congresswoman Fudge: No. Nothing he does surprises me, Russ. It’s just another way that he shows his disdain for people who work hard every day.
Russ: Let me go back now to the convention for a second, as we look forward to tomorrow night and the main event, if you will. The former Vice President Joe Biden. What do you think he needs to say to America tomorrow?
Congresswoman Fudge: Well, I think tomorrow he needs to make the case why he should be the president. He should talk a bit about what his plans are. He needs to talk about why he believes that he is the right person to bring this country together that has been so torn apart under this last administration. I think he needs to talk about why it is important to reclaim the soul of America and how he is going to lead this country. It’s all about leadership, Russ. And I think he needs to display that tomorrow night.