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ByJuliePaceand Catherine Lucey TheAssociatedPress PHILADELPHIA Their political fates now en- twined, President Barack Obama is imploring voters to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, appeal- ing to the women, minori- ties and young people who powered his rise and are now crucial to hers. Oba m a's a dd r e s s Wednesday night at the Democratic convention is a moment steeped in symbolism, the passing of the baton from a barrier- breaking president to a candidate trying to make history herself. Obama's robust support for Clinton, his political foe-turned- friend, is also driven by deep concern that Repub- lican Donald Trump might win in November and un- ravel the president's eight years in office. In excerpts released ahead of his speech, Obama acknowledged the economic and security anxieties that have helped fuel Trump's rise, but he argued they don't define the country. "The America I know is full of courage and op- timism and ingenuity," Obama said. Trump fueled more con- troversy Wednesday when he encouraged Russia to meddle in the presiden- tial campaign — even as he dismissed suggestions from Obama and other Democrats that Moscow was already acting on his behalf. On the heels of reports that Russia may have hacked Democratic Party emails, Trump said, "Rus- sia, if you're listening," it would be desirable to see Moscow find the thou- sands of emails Clinton says she deleted during her years as secretary of state. At about the same time, Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, declared there would be "serious conse- quences" if Russia inter- fered in U.S. politics. To Obama and Clin- ton, Trump's comments only fed their contention that the billionaire busi- nessman is unqualified to be commander in chief. Trump has no national se- curity experience and few ties to the norms that have governed U.S. foreign pol- icy under presidents from both parties, including standing by NATO allies threatened by countries including Russia. "This has to be the first time that a major presi- dential candidate has ac- tively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espio- nage against his political opponent," said Clinton adviser Jake Sullivan. Wednesday night's Dem- ocratic lineup was aimed at emphasizing Clinton's own national security cre- dentials, a shift from two nights focused more on re- introducing her to voters as a champion for women's issues, children and fami- lies. Among those taking the stage is former Pen- tagon and CIA chief Leon Panetta, who served along- side Clinton in Obama's Cabinet. Obama, too, was vouch- ing for Clinton's national security experience, re- calling their work together during trying times. "Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to peo- ple, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect," he said in speech experts. "And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much peo- ple try to knock her down, she never, ever quits." Obama was closing a night also featuring Vice President Joe Biden, and Clinton's running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. In a move aimed at broadening Clinton's ap- peal, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — an independent who consid- ered launching a third party bid for president — will endorse the Demo- cratic nominee. Clinton's campaign be- lieves Trump's unortho- dox candidacy will turn off moderate Republicans, particularly women, who worry he's too unpredict- able to take the helm in a turbulent world. They rec- ognize that Republicans, as well as many Dem- ocrats, have questions about Clinton's character but hope to ease those con- cerns. Still, the core of Clin- ton's strategy is putting back together Obama's winning White House co- alition. In both his cam- paigns, Obama carried more than 90 percent of black voters, the over- whelming majority of Hispanics, and more than half of young people and women. That coalition was viv- idly on display in the first two nights of the con- vention in Philadelphia. Women lawmakers were prominently featured, along with young activists, immigrants, and mothers whose black children were victims of gun violence or killed during encounters with law enforcement. Gun violence continued as a theme Wednesday night as families of mass shooting victims took the stage. Delegates rose in an emotional standing ovation for the mother of one of the victims in last month's Orlando nightclub shooting, who asked why "commonsense" gun poli- cies weren't in place when her son died. "I never want you to ask that question about your child," Christine Lei- nonen said. Clinton's base-boosting strategy has some Demo- crats worried that she is ceding too much ground to her opponent. Her con- vention has made little mention of the economic insecurity and anxiety that has, in part, fueled Trump's rise with white, working-class voters. Trump has cast himself as the "law-and-order" candidate and has prom- ised to get tough on terror- ists. Democrats have little noted the threat of terror- ism or the Islamic State group, though both were expected to get more at- tention Wednesday night. Clinton's convention has been awash in his- tory, with energized dele- gates celebrating her for- mal nomination as the first woman to ever lead a major political party in the general election. Some supporters of Clinton's pri- mary rival, Bernie Sand- ers, continued to voice their displeasure with the pick, but there was noth- ing they could do to take the nomination away from Clinton. "As of yesterday, I guess, officially our campaign ended," Sanders acknowl- edged during a meeting with New England dele- gates. DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION Obama boosts Clinton; Trump talks emails, Russia CAROLYNKASTER—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Delegates hold up signs to show their support for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during the third day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, on Wednesday. Bankruptcy: $ 899 (Forindividualchapter7does not include filing fee) Flexible Payment Arrangements Free Consultations LawOfficesof DerekD.Soriano Offices also in Chico, Willows 530-402-8281 Hablamos Espanol : 530.636.2529 derek.soriano@dereksoriano.com Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate Shop Equipped With 4SmogMachines For Fast Service No appointment Needed We Do Alignments, Brakes, Shocks, Struts, Oil Changes, Suspension, Trailer Repairs, Batteries & Wipers 530 529-0797 1375MontgomeryRd. Red Bluff, CA THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 3 B