INDIANAPOLIS – Levity mixed with her presidential stump speech, that was the gist of Hillary Clinton’s appearance before many of the nation’s mayors in Indianapolis.
“Only America’s mayors could find a way to put Lady Gaga and the Dalai Lama on the same program”, Clinton said near the beginning of her address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the J.W. Marriott Grand Ballroom on Sunday.
There was also a brief shout out for the mayor of Indianapolis, one of Clinton’s most visible supporters in the state. “Joe (Hogsett), as I’m sure you have already realized, even though he is a new mayor, comes in with so much energy and new ideas.”
Clinton’s speech came immediately after a moving address from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, much of which was a recap of the night of the shootings at the Pulse nightclub that left 49 people dead. The shooter claimed allegiance to ISIS.
"On behalf of everyone in Orlando, allow me to thank you [for the support after the attack],” Dyer said. “The way that Orlando responded to this tragedy probably hasn't been perfect, but I'm extraordinarily proud of way we did respond.”
“There are more mass shootings in the United States than in any other country in the world – it is not even close,” Clinton said. “I know we can respect the 2nd Amendment and make common sense reforms.”
Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, Clinton went after her likely Republican opponent early in her speech, touching on Trump’s supportive comments on Britain’s vote to leave the EU while he was opening his new golf course in Scotland. “Bombastic comments in turbulent times can actually cause more turbulence, and who put the interests of the American people ahead of their personal business interests,” Clinton said.
“No one should be confused about America’s commitment to Europe, not an autocrat in the Kremlin, not a presidential candidate on a Scottish golf course.”
Clinton chastised Republican lawmakers on Sunday for a "paralyzed" Congress, saying they've fueled populist anger by refusing to "do their job."
Clinton ticked off a list of items that GOP congressional leaders have refused to schedule for a vote. They include a proposed immigration overhaul, holding confirmation hearings to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, and strengthening background checks and banning firearms sales to people on the government no-fly list.
WATCH CLINTON'S SPEECH IN THE VIDEO PLAYER BELOW
