A widespread, and rather convincing, plea for a Clinton vote has been that she is not Donald Trump. Agree or disagree with her policies, Hillary isn’t, as President Obama puts it, a “homegrown demagogue.” However, it is rather unfortunate that a candidate with a résumé more presidential than could be fabricated and policies presented with more clarity than we knew to ask for is being treated as a backup plan. Hillary has no place being the default setting in this election.

It seems most fitting to first speak to the incredible significance of Hillary’s nomination as our first female major party candidate, a feat that has been too frequently overlooked. If the pure symbolic power of her successes aren’t enough, the potential that comes with a woman in this position of leadership gives great hope to those entrusting Hillary with a vote in November. Looking at a period of 20 years, “women won their home districts an average of $49 million more per year than their male counterparts (a finding that held regardless of party, geography, committee position, tenure in office, or margin of victory).” On top of that, women are the answer if we’re looking for change: they “sponsored more bills (an average of three more per Congress), cosponsored more bills (an average of 26 more per Congress), and attracted a greater number of cosponsors than their colleagues who use the other restroom.” Most studies concede that these staggering statistics may not be because women are more competent than men; after all, the argument for women’s rights isn’t that women are superior. However, it is simple fact that to make it in the political sphere, women have to be better. They are scrutinized with more severity, their abilities are always second-guessed, and they are never seen as the typical leader. To be a politician, a woman has to be the best. Time and time again, Hillary has been the best.

Gender aside, Hillary provides a platform that demonstrates tangible benefits for the American workforce. Moody’s Analytics reported that should Hillary’s economic plan be implemented, “the economy would create 10.4 million jobs during her presidency, or 3.2 million more than expected under current law. The pace of GDP growth would also accelerate to an annual average of 2.7%, from the current forecast of 2.3%.” To every resilient American, every family affected by the recession, and every citizen who believes that hard work is the bedrock of this nation, the choice couldn’t be clearer.

If you tuned into the DNC for even a moment, you got a glimpse into Hillary’s qualifications. She’s been in the White House as First Lady and as Secretary of State. She’s been in Congress as a Senator from New York. She fought for our troops on the Armed Forces committee. She’s built up a state during Bill’s time in Arkansas. She’s been on the ground level working for the Children’s Defense Fund.  She knows the plight of high taxes as a wealthy individual. And she knows the hardship of poverty from her mother’s story. There isn’t a piece of our government or sector of our community that Hillary hasn’t interacted with in one way or another.

Part of that impressive résumé has included becoming the face of collaboration, at home and abroad. When looking to foreign policy, international alliances, and a globalizing world, Hillary’s reputation speaks for itself. In a survey of G20 countries, people were asked how they would vote could they participate in the US election: “Hillary Clinton can count on the support of 18 of the world’s 20 leading industrial nations if the world could vote in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump gets top billing from just one country’s people: Russia.” Her experience as Secretary of State fostered strong relationships abroad, especially with our Asian allies who are becoming increasingly important as the global economic epicenter shifts east. Domestically, Hillary has garnered overwhelming support from unexpected leaders. Michael Bloomberg, politically unaffiliated businessman, very publicly endorsed her at the DNC. Executives at Facebook, Google, AT&T, and General Motors, among many others, have expressed their explicit support, as well. In a surprising, but warranted, turn of events, a Democratic candidate is finding friendship in the corporate sector.

While other candidates have lashed out to public criticism with offensive, divisive tweets or frantic press conferences overflowing with horrendous rhetoric, Hillary shows us respect even when we don’t reciprocate it. Throughout each scandal, each (often unfair) media attack, Hillary exhibits grace and a calm, collected temperament. In her DNC nomination acceptance speech, she assured us that she will be a champion for every American: those who vote for her and those who don’t, those who like her and those who criticize her, those who believe in her and those who call for her to be “locked up”.

Most importantly, her flaw is her greatest asset. Hillary is so often criticized for appearing cold, for not smiling enough. She isn’t the politician that her husband, Bill, is or that her potential predecessor, Barack, is. But that’s why she’s so valuable. For all of the voters seriously considering Trump because he offers a candidate who isn’t the typical politician that so many Americans have grown frustrated with, give Hillary a second look. She’s 100% policy and impact driven. Maybe her speeches aren’t as flashy and maybe she has to be reminded to exhibit warmth in the public eye, but she has delivered tangible results since she was 19 years old. Perhaps a candidate spending less time smiling and more time changing lives is worth our votes and, more importantly, worth our respect.

One of my favorite quotes I borrow from a previous American president, Woodrow Wilson: “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.” As if Hillary’s overwhelming qualifications, education, and intelligence weren’t enough, she continuously surrounds herself with the best and the brightest. She knows that one person cannot lead a nation to the prosperity that each of us holds in our ambitions for this country. More significantly, she has built a campaign upon the principle that we are “Stronger Together”, showing that her belief in the power of the masses and the brilliance of cooperation doesn’t end with her administration– it bleeds out into the insurmountable abilities of the American people when we join as one. Hillary knows that these American people include Daughters of the Revolution and sons of immigrants, straight men and gay women, Muslim children and Christian neighbors, law enforcers and law abiders, addicts and abstainers, blacks, whites, and every color in between. These American people include everyone whose family arrived on this soil at one time or another in hopes of relishing the American Dream, the promise of equal opportunity.

So, if in November you’re voting for Hillary because you find her to be the lesser of two evils, your vote will not be appreciated nor counted any less than mine. However, I hope you can join me in sleeping a bit easier knowing that a vote for Hillary isn’t just a vote against Trump- it is a vote for the unification of the most powerful country in the world, a vote for the rights of our citizens, all of our citizens, and a vote for the woman who just might be the best damn president we’ve ever seen.

sources: Bloomberg: Republicans Are Among Business Leaders Backing Clinton; Handelsblatt: The World Wants Hillary; CNN: Hillary Clinton’s economy would create 10.4 million jobs; Newsweek: Why Female Politicians Are More Effective