Hillary Clinton gets it. She has spent her entire career working for change and the betterment of this country. As a young law student, she went door to door in New Bedford, Massachusetts working to save truant and at-risk kids. As an attorney, she fought for better access and stronger funding mechanisms for public education. As First Lady, she traveled the world working to end human rights abuses affecting women and children. As a United States Senator, she has worked tirelessly on issues affecting the economy, public safety, international relations, and restoring America’s standing in the world. Her experience is unmatched. Her intellect and vision are unrivaled.
Barack Obama is an extraordinary candidate and is clearly destined for great things. Right now, he simply isn’t ready to restore this country to her greatness. A side by side comparison of the two Democrats’ platforms has borne this statement out. The Clinton plan promises universal health care for all; the Obama plan promises universal access to health care. The difference: 15 million uninsured Americans under the Obama plan. The Clinton economic stimulus plan includes incentives for growing small businesses and creating new jobs; the Obama stimulus plan does not even address small business job creation. The difference: a vital piece of economic solvency is missing in the Obama plan. The Clinton environmental plan is centered on a cap and trade system for controlling carbon emissions, stronger energy and auto efficiency standards, and a significant increase in green research funding; the Obama environmental plan includes utilizing “nuclear power as part of the energy mix.” The difference: stronger environmental standards and green technology versus a potentially devastating alternative. Finally, both candidates will work to ensure a speedy and safe withdrawal of our troops stationed in Iraq. To his credit, Senator Obama spoke out against this war back in 2002 when he was a member of the Illinois state legislature. Yet, since he has become a US Senator, Obama has an identical voting record on matters of war funding/matters with Senator Clinton. I am confident that both candidates will fight to bring these brave heroes home.
The electability question has long since dogged Senator Clinton and I am shocked at the level of vitriol that is directed towards her by some Democrats – particularly on the internet and among people of my generation. The facts remain: there have been four contested primary contests thus far. All of which produced record setting turnouts. Senator Clinton won two and Senator Obama won two (it is interesting to note that the other two non-contested elections both ended with Senator Clinton getting around 50% of the vote in multi-candidate fields). To suggest that only Obama could bring new people to the polls is factually inaccurate. One million five hundred thousand Democrats voted in the Florida Primary. Fifty percent of them – an undeniably vast cross section of men and woman, young and older, from all races and religious affiliations, voted for Hillary Clinton. Those numbers are clear evidence she is highly electable AND can bring huge numbers of new voters into the process. Further, Clinton has stood up to – and defeated – the GOP attack machine for the last 16 years. She has won hard fought races in New York (in 2006 she won 30 of the counties that President Bush carried in 2004 against Senator John Kerry) and has garnered a reputation of working across party lines to develop successful legislative initiatives. In terms of making history, it was an overlooked fact that when she won the New Hampshire primary, Senator Clinton was the first woman to win a presidential nominating contest. Before 2008, that had never occurred before. It is impossible to deny the fact that the election of the first female president will have an enormous effect on the rest of the world.
This is a change election and I am confident that whomever we nominate will be able to ride that sentiment and the superiority of the Democratic message to victory. I am equally confident that Senator Clinton’s record and ability to work for change will enable her to help this country to realize its limitless promise.
Hillary Clinton may not be the candidate du jour of the blogosphere or the MTV generation. But she will be an excellent president. America demands – and deserves – nothing less.
Vote your heart and your mind.
sabutai says
So many democracies have a two-headed system of government. The head of state is supposed to represent the dignity, inspiration, and pride a country feels for itself. Although largely ceremonial, a head of state can accrue influence borne of their person and experience that lends them authority in the policy process (fmr Irish president Mary Robinson is such an example). Meanwhile, the head of government is the policy-maker who governs the country and tends to nuts and bolts.
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p>In some countries such as Canada and Australia, the titular head of state is the British monarch, represented by a governor-general. Although the monarch supposedly appoints the governor-general, it is in reality a choice of the prime minister. Other countries have a president/prime minister where the president is head of state (note: France is an exception. There, both heads have real power). The head of state may be appointed by the democratically elected government as in Germany, or popularly elected as in Ireland.
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p>I found myself thinking tonight how well America would be served with Barack Obama as head of state and Hillary Clinton as head of government. If we had a different system, we’d have something great right there.
freshayer says
I was left last night with the feeling that experience is important and I hope the dream team idea goes as it would launch Obama in 2016 (at only 54 years old) as the presumptive Presidential candidate. Also I am hearing that Edwards is vying for the AG cabinet post as the bait to give an endorsement. Fantastic Idea!! (With Richardson as Secretary of State) The Republicans are coming off as angry white men and I do respect McCain for his service, willingness to reach out across the aisle but I came to the realization in comparing the two debates that the world has been too long served by angry white men to its detriment.
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p>Bill Clinton on the other hand can go tend the flowers in the Rose garden provided there are no reporters or microphones near by.
lasthorseman says
Which one is higher on the list of Satan’s minions.
Clinton ranks high in the evil sense for NAFTA and business de regulation. No interest in Hillary as she is solidly in the pocket of the Bilderburg Group. Even Ann Coulter wants Hillary over St Juan McAmnesty.
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p>Obama voted for patriot act renewal so he is a traitor.
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p>Lord, spare me from this freak show.
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