This blows my mind: Hillary Clinton hasn't driven a car since 1996

[Bread and Circus]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/01/27/hillary-clinton-car-auto-drive-nada/4942881/

Hillary Rodham Clinton admitted she hasn't driven a car since her husband's first term.

"The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996," Clinton said Monday in remarks to the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans. "I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret Service, which is why I haven't driven since then."

I am not knocking Clinton personally for this. I just think it is an example of what kind of a bubble world our leaders (on all sides to be sure) live in and why the needs of regular people just aren't really seen through the same lens when you are part of that bubble world.

On Edit:

To all the people below me who say "I haven't driven in X years" are pulling a typical Clintonian double speak where you are saying something as a diversion but you are not really adhering to the point being made.

I highly doubt most of you have been chauffeured around in a shiny black SUV (or similar vehicle) for the past 20 years.

You are NOT living the experience of Clinton and Clinton is NOT living your experience. <<< That's the point, in case you missed it.

To act like you are even on the same metaphorical planet as her is really silly.

Please stop and think that others aren't as stupid as you pretend them to be. We get what you are doing.

[RobertEarl]

1. Bubble is right

She isn't one of us.

[Thinkingabout]

5. Have you had a spouse who was president?

[RobertEarl]

26. Bernie is one of us

I will not support any one who is not one of us.

[Thinkingabout]

35. That was not the question, have you had a spouse which was president?

[Control-Z]

37. Sanders no longer drives himself. n/t

[RobertEarl]

38. Bernie is one of us

Hillary is not. Hillary is a 1%er. Bernie is one of the 99%.

[Lucinda]

61. Bernie has been a member of one of the most elite clubs in the world for 25 years

The US Congress.

[RobertEarl]

63. Yeah

He could have become rich like Hillary. But he didn't. And he got there not by selling himself out to wall street and big oil like so many did.

Bernie is a 99er, Hillary is a 1%er.

[Lucinda]

64. Hillary and Bill both have worldwide projects going on with a lot

of the money they earn. It's not like they are sitting around with their feet up eating bonbons. They could be doing NOTHING and sitting on piles of cash. But they don't. Bernie doesn't have those interests, and that is fine, but the Clinton's are using their money to make a difference.

[RobertEarl]

67. How did they get piles of cash?

They turned their being voted into office into piles of cash. Meanwhile more are homeless in this country. Bernie aims to change that. Hillary says poor homeless children need to go away.

Look, you will not win anything by protecting the rich and famous on DU. You are just wasting good electrons.

[Lucinda]

71. Public speaking in large part. And they USE it for the better good.

"Hillary says poor homeless children need to go away."

Thats just silly. If you mean the children she feels should be with their parents instead of here in the US without them, then say that please. You can disagree with that, and that is fine, but to imply she has no compassion for them is off the mark.

[RobertEarl]

76. They are hoarders

Send the children back to war and pestilence is what she said. That was her message. I hate that. HATE THAT.

Please, make it go away. Just end it.

[Lucinda]

78. I think maybe you saw what you wanted to see?

I don't see her with the same vision you do at all.
I don't agree with her on everything. I'm pretty contrary, so I don't know of anyone I agree with all the time.
I am sorry though if you do really believe that she is some horrible heartless person, that would be awful.
If she becomes our nominee, I hope she will be able to change your mind, in time. I really do.

[RobertEarl]

81. That's what she said

Make excuses to yourself all you want, but all it does is make me think that is how you feel about poor homeless kids whose parents realized their lives were hopeless in their country and looked to America to possibly save them.

I HATE THAT. It makes me ashamed that a leading Democrat could say such a thing.

[Fawke Em]

79. After what we're learning about the Clinton Foundation's dealings in

Haiti and the quid pro quo for arm sales, I don't think I'd bring up those "worldwide" projects as a selling point.

[Lucinda]

80. They do great work. And until I see something that shows any true impropriety

I won't be jumping on any "Hillary is Corrupt, See!" bandwagons.

[sister_rosa_refried]

74. Your post is parody, correct?

[RobertEarl]

75. zfbzdf

I just think it is an example of what kind of a bubble world our leaders (on all sides to be sure) live in and why the needs of regular people just aren't really seen through the same lens when you are part of that bubble world.

[Kittycat]

2. I think it's probably the downside for

Of all leaders. Sad reality of the what if. Going for a run takes a detail and planning. Life just isn't normal anymore.

[Thinkingabout]

3. What kind of a problem is this? Maybe we should have some presidential training.

She has had secret service protection since Bill became president, she will continue to have this protection. There are lots of safety and security many do not realize.

[Nonhlanhla]

4. Oh noes!!!! Cargate!!!!

This will surely do her in.

[cannabis_flower]

6. Well, you know

If I didn't have to drive myself, I wouldn't. If I had that much money I would have a chauffeur drive me everywhere. I'm not a Hillary supporter but I don't fault her for that.

[panader0]

58. For me it would not be a chauffeur, but a designated driver.

[longship]

70. My designated driver would not have much to show fer it.

[CommonSenseDemocrat]

7. Seriously? Never vote for anybody who is from NYC or Chicago

Mass transit is so hippie anyways.

[m-lekktor]

16. yeah she doesn't drive because she uses mass transit!

that's it !

[beam me up scottie]

17. You think she takes mass transit?

[Bad Thoughts]

8. My MIL hadn't drive in 15 years ...

... until she had to take my FIL to the hospital when he had chest pains. They aren't wealthy.

It happens.

[madokie]

45. My mother never drove a car

in her lifetime. But those were different times than now. In the fact that she was a stay at home awesome mom. I asked her one time if she ever wanted to drive a car and she said it was never something she even thought of doing.

[Purveyor]

9. Oh tut, tut...

[oldandhappy]

10. No surprise, why would she?

WH has transport. Speaking engagements probably included transport. Do senators get transport? I suspect they do. I did not see parking lots at the Congress. State Dept provided transport I am sure. Anyway, she has secret service, yes? I guess if I lived her life, I would have a car and driver. Do not know if she does. Now DNC and her campaign take care of transport.

[loyalsister]

25. Joe Biden was proud to be a train rider

He talked about it often when he was running in 2008. I don't know if it was available and he said no or what, but I think it did reveal something about his nature that he is comfortable among ordinary people.

[oldandhappy]

27. agree.

Joe mixes with people and seems comfortable with the train. Bet he liked it after a day in Congress! Hillary is more structured.

[madokie]

46. I still see Joe as a regular dude

and always will.

Like all of us Joe has a few warts but I'll over look them as best I can.

[Mnpaul]

49. Biden really has it tough

He owns a beautiful Goodwin Green '67 Corvette and the only fun he can have is doing burnouts in the driveway.

America's vice president owns a '67 Corvette, and though he's not allowed to drive, he still enjoys the occasional smoky burnout.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/what-id-do-differently-vice-president-joe-biden-interview

[Recursion]

72. The parking garage is underground on the Senate side, near Union Station

On the House side it's under the Rayburn office building (and now in the lot that used to be the O'Neill building).

Senators and Representatives do not get transportation (though they can voucher their trips to and from their home state, or could 15 years ago); most keep apartments near enough to the Capitol to walk. Some drive in (especially from VA and MD). The NYC delegation rents hotel rooms during the week and takes the train back and forth to the city every weekend.

[oldandhappy]

86. good info, thank you

[LisaM]

11. And this is a problem because.....???

Actually, I've read that many millennials are deferring getting driver's licenses, and using much more transit (and my commute by bus in Seattle bears that out). I'm often without a car for a week or two when my SO is out of town working, and I get along just fine.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Take my word on this

she is not a regular transit rider.

And why is this a problem? Remember when Bush Sr was amazed at the scanner at the supermarket? She has been (for good reasons mind you) under SS protection for decades, so there is a lot of day to day experience that she does not get. And a competent politician will use this sooner or later.

[MisterP]

20. I don't think she's talking about taking the Green Line, here

[MerryBlooms]

12. I doubt President Obama or the First Lady will ever drive a car alone again...

I'm not sure about the girls, but I bet neither of them will drive alone for at least a decade... if ever.

It comes with the territory, but the Obama family is especially vulnerable... I'm happy to provide tax dollars to protect them.

[oldandhappy]

28. me, too

[nc4bo]

14. Yes, rich people's bubble. They are fucking obnoxiously clueless.

The amount of cluelessness depends on how much empathy a person is capable of.

[Vote2016]

15. Why drive when you have a chauffeur, baby! Remember poor Hillary was "dead broke" so she could

relate to her chauffeur just like Miss Daisy.

[Mike__M]

18. Well, I drive a car that was made in 1996

so we almost have something in common.
I'll "look into" supporting her.
.
.
.
I'm done: nope.

[iemitsu]

43. I drive a car made in 1992.

And I drive it everyday.

[Tarc]

19. It certainly sounds like a knock on Clinton

This is the post-9/11 reality that is imposed upon our leaders, it isn't by choice.

[Bread and Circus]

23. You Hillary Clinton supporters seem to think any fact is a "knock" on Clinton. It's getting old.

[NanceGreggs]

36. So the "fact" that she doesn't drive ...

... equates to being a "fact" that she lives in a bubble and is incapable of connecting with average people?

One of those statements is actually a "fact"; i.e. she doesn't drive. When did the idea that someone who doesn't drive lives in a bubble become a "fact"?

[Bread and Circus]

47. Like I inferred in the OP I don't think this a personal knock against Clinton.

Y'all are so sensitive about every little thing you can't even see straight.

[LisaM]

48. Well, you changed what you wrote.

You did say something along the lines of faulting her for it!!!

[NanceGreggs]

51. I would say ...

... that inferring that HRC doesn't drive means that she "lives in a bubble" speaks for itself.

[LuvLoogie]

21. The secret service is highly trained in defensive/protective driving techniques.

1996 she was FLOTUS. As such, and her stint as America's top diplomat, she is a potential target for foreign and domestic enemies. In 1996 a significant fringe was well into its anti-Clinton derangement. Atwater and Gingrich had put American politics on a self-destructive course.

I don't believe that it "blows your mind." You are just blowing smoke inside your own bubble.

[rbrnmw]

22. oh noes

[Lucinda]

24. So? I don't drive either. Some people don't have to, others don't want to. n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

29. This is a non-issue!

I have relatives in their 20s who have never driven and don't have licenses.
Are they rich? No!

They grew up in a city with great public transportation and now work in places where the public transportation is nearly as good.

Some rich people don't drive.
Some poor people don't drive.
Some environmentally conscientious people don't drive.

Lots of people drive because they can, they want to, or they feel they have no choice.
The same factors apply to those who don't drive.

[Lucinda]

30. Yup.

[Kalidurga]

31. Point goes to Hillary.

She has some common sense and for that she gets two thumbs up. I don't want her being a security risk or a target among the masses, seriously she puts other people at risk if she goes off and does just whatever.

[arcane1]

32. This means zero to me. I'm 48 and haven't driven since 2004. My grandmother? Never.

I have many, many friends who have gone at least as long as she has without driving.

A non-issue to most city-dwellers. Not to mention those "regular people" who can't afford a car in the first place (I fall into that category as well).

[bettyellen]

33. betcha anything she is busy working every minute she is being driven around.

no one gives a rats ass.

[hifiguy]

34. It isn't just her, it that ALL the High and Mighty

are so utterly removed from the everyday tasks of life. They completely lose touch with the reality of normal people.

[asuhornets]

39. Jealousy and hatred is a disease...n/t

[wildeyed]

40. Doesn't take much

to blow your mind, then, does it I'm not knocking anyone personally for this, I just think it is an example of the fatuous nonsense that passes as political debate these days.

[NWCorona]

41. No a supporter but it's understandable

She was the first lady and under constant security.

[The_Commonist]

42. I haven't driven a car since 1993.

I wonder what kind of bubble I live in?

[Cheese Sandwich]

44. I heard she hasn't cooked a meal since 1994

Who do you think takes out the trash at the Clinton house?

That's what servants are for after you "earn" $100 million off your "public service".

So what if the Clintons have servants. Great wealth is nothing to be ashamed of am I right?

[kgnu_fan]

50. She is missing out on great American highway...

[grasswire]

52. bizarre. nt

[giftedgirl77]

53. Oh My God, noooooooooooo!!!!

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

[DesertFlower]

54. my friend lives in NYC. she hasn't driven in car

in probably that long. she takes publc transportation or a taxi.

my niece in toronto never learned how to drive. takes public transportation.

BTW. doesn't hillary have secret service protection? she's probably not allowed to drive a car.

[DesertFlower]

56. read the link before you get so

judgemental.

[moondust]

57. Similar to GHWB

not knowing what a supermarket bar code scanner was in 1992:

Then he grabbed a quart of milk, a light bulb and a bag of candy and ran them over an electronic scanner. The look of wonder flickered across his face again as he saw the item and price registered on the cash register screen.

"This is for checking out?" asked Mr. Bush.

http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/05/us/bush-encounters-the-supermarket-amazed.html

A separate reality for the dynasty kids.

[DefenseLawyer]

59. It doesn't matter that she doesn't drive

But it makes her sound elitist to brag about it. She's a terrible campaigner. I'm not saying there's any correlation between being good president and a good campaigner, just that she's really bad at it.

[matt819]

60. TAlk about royalty

Is she like a British Royal,whose sides carry the money and pay the bills?

[JVS]

62. I heard about that, but I imagine that once you have a security detail...

that has to go with you everywhere anyway it becomes easier to just be chauffeured or send people out on your errands.

[John Poet]

65. Maybe she's not a good driver,

and she's doing the rest of us a favor. LOL

[UglyGreed]

66. They will defend her driving

record yet not a word in this thread........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511330938

[Skid Rogue]

68. Almost no one drives in New York.

Only 56% of the people in our largest city even own a car, and that number would be even lower in Manhattan. It's really not that unusual, unless you live in car country.

[grossproffit]

69. Cargate!

[sister_rosa_refried]

73. You're a bit lost, dear.

Mrs. Clinton is probably not allowed to drive an automobile given the fact that she is the wife of a former President.

Is this some silly attempt to create some foolish bash at her?

Nice try, dear.

[Bread and Circus]

84. The "dear" stuff...yeah...give it a rest.

[Skid Rogue]

77. When Al Franken ran for the Senate...

he purchased a car for the first time in like 25 years, or something. He wanted to be more "real," a man of the people. He had lived in Manhattan before that and just never wanted the expense and hassle. I love how he told the story. He felt guilty about the carbon footprint so he eventually got a hybrid. I don't really think Hillary has that option.

[treestar]

82. they take her to places where she meets people

that does not mean she has to be living in "a bubble." She is smart, reads, talks to people. This was of necessity and for her security and does not mean she cannot learn from or empathize.

[Todays_Illusion]

83. She also didn't leave college with a truck load of debt or ever work a minum wage job.

[JackRiddler]

85. Neither have I and I'm proud of it...

and I don't live in a bubble, and I'm not the 1%. I like trains and bikes. So there.

So reconsider your prejudices, and I say that as an opponent to Clinton.