As Hillary Clinton prepares to officially accept nomination at DNC; surrogates attack Donald Trump



PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Hillary Clinton on Thursday night, July 28th is expected to speak at the Democratic National Convention -- officially accepting the Democratic nomination for president on the final day of the DNC. As she prepared for her speech Thursday, her surrogates went on the attack against Donald Trump.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who was in the running to be Clinton's running mate, told Wisconsin delegates Thursday that Trump may have broken federal law when he expressed hope that Russia would hack into Clinton's emails -- saying Russia would be rewarded by U.S. media.

A federal law called the Logan Act makes it a crime for Americans to side with other countries to defeat the U.S.

"Donald Trump took sides. Donald Trump had an opportunity to say he was with the U.S. or he was with Russia, and (Wednesday), he chose Russia. He is not fit to be president of the United States," Vilsack said.

Trump later said he was only joking when he made the Russia comments Wednesday.

Vilsack said he wasn't sure whether it actually was a crime, but said it should be investigated.

On Thursday, Bernie Sanders supporters from Wisconsin huddled in preparation for Clinton's prime-time speech. There have been protests every day/night of this convention from those who say "Bernie Sanders or bust."

Sanders supporters said they're expecting some noise from other delegations that have been vocally opposing Clinton.

"We want to make sure Wisconsin represents well. We're certainly talking to people and making sure everyone's on the same page and we're united," Rob Hansen said.

While Clinton's supporters have said all week the protesters have a right to speak out, Congresswoman Gwen Moore said Thursday she "hopes they won't be rude."

"There's enough enthusiasm in that convention center to quell, to drown out whatever protest might be there," Moore said.



On Wednesday night, in his prime-time address, President Barack Obama said he's ready to pass the baton to Clinton. Yet, in states like Wisconsin, he may do more than that. Clinton supporters hope Obama's popularity in Wisconsin will help boost their efforts leading up to the general election.

In the latest Marquette University Law School Poll, released on July 13th, 51 percent of Wisconsin voters said they had a favorable view of the president -- and only 36 percent said they had a favorable view of Clinton.

Marquette University Law School Poll



Marquette University Law School Poll



With Obama aides saying the president will hit the campaign trail hard this fall, that likely means multiple stops in Wisconsin.

Senator Tammy Baldwin



"There’s no question he’s going to be very helpful, but I also think as the spotlight goes from a hotly contested, spirited primary to a nominee -- and after (Thursday night) -- she’s going to be her own best spokesperson," Senator Tammy Baldwin said.

Republicans say Clinton would be a third Obama term -- and idea Wisconsin Democrats reject.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore



"As President Obama mentioned (Thursday) night, she’s the most qualified person who’s ever run for president," Moore said.

Vilsack said he expects President Obama to continue spreading the message he shared at the convention Wednesday night -- that there's still work to do.

"As he tells that story, where we were, where we are, and where we need to go, I think it will be quite supportive of her efforts," Vilsack said.

Clinton on Thursday night will work to appeal to voters who remain skeptical about her.