Hillary Clinton. The President We Need

[Alfresco]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/24/1463456/-Hillary-Clinton-The-President-We-Need

By Gaius Septimus
Thursday Dec 24, 2015 3:30 PM EST

She has been abused and hated by the right wing ever since her husband ran for governor of Arkansas. Because she was a woman who dared to think, to have an education, to argue for her beliefs.

She spearheaded the failed health reform plan under President Clinton, which failed because insurance companies torpedoed it. She went to China and declared that “women’s rights are human rights”.

In 2000, a Republican candidate by the name of Rick Lazio tried to bully her, right there on stage, at their debate… And she had the perfect words, the perfect poise to answer his venom. And today, nobody but a few political junkies like myself even remember his name.

She spent her time in the Senate fighting many battles. But anyone examining her record can see she fought for improving the lives of children, reducing violence, strengthening families.

She ran for president… And found her voice as a trumpet for all those disadvantaged, belittled, underestimated… She did not win then, but her rival respected her voice and her judgment enough to make her his Secretary of State.

Today, there is no one alive who has done more for the cause of women’s rights in this country. It is no accident she has been so hated and reviled by the right. Because she continues to be a pillar of strength in the face of hatred, because she continues to proudly and unapologetically highlight women’s issues. Even as the Republicans wage their war on women and talk about “legitimate rape”.

Trump and his ilk think she is an easy target. But they do not know her strength and her passion. Let them think what they want. I will be celebrating as the entire bigoted and sexist edifice that is the GOP of today wakes up after election day 2016 to find a Madame President-elect, a commander in chief and a voice in the White House that will surely be out of their worst nightmares. The GOP deserves that. And the country deserves a president of her accomplishment and humanity, of her brilliance and strength.

[nc4bo]

1. I strongly disagree but Merry Christmas to you and yours.

And if by chance you don't celebrate. ..may the spirit of the season continue to spread amongst all the nation, the world and all humanity.

[Alfresco]

2. Very kind of you, thanks.

[AgingAmerican]

3. She takes months to make decisions on simple matters of right and wrong

And most of her policy positions are a mystery.

Hard to get excited over 'moderate' whatever that means.

[Alfresco]

4. I am excited about her chances and hope you agree she would be better than any Repug.

[AgingAmerican]

6. Given she is running almost solely on name recognition

I believe she is committing political suicide. My neighbors cat would be better than any repug.

[Alfresco]

8. I can only chuckle at your comments.

[AgingAmerican]

18. Yet you cannot refute them

[Alfresco]

20. I chose to just chuckle at your opinions. I see no need to refute. They speak for themselves.

[Mbrow]

37. he's just astroturfing

or repeating astroturfing

[Hiraeth]

31. Damning with faint praise.

I need Hillary like I need another hole in my head ...

on second thought, I am considering piercing my nose ...

If she wins the primary, she will have my vote in the general.

how boring.

[Betty Karlson]

97. The lesser of two evils is still evil.

And her chances in the GE are far below those of Sanders, because she has virtually none of his cross-over appeal. In fact: she has negative cross-over appeal according to some polls. How you can be exited about such chances is a mystery to me.

[EdwardBernays]

106. 100%

Hillary is a lot less crap than the Donald but she's still crap.

[tazkcmo]

101. I don't share you're excitement

And the low bar of being better than the Repug is a minimal qualification, like having a pulse. She is slightly better but she won't beat the Republican nominee.

[Gregorian]

5. No. America needs a new direction.

We know what establishment politicians have done to our country. Bill Clinton pulled off a conservative coup in disguise as a Dem. Glass-Steigall, NAFTA....and many more.

No we cannot even tolerate another Clinton.

Elect her, but don't blame me for the market crashes and free giveaways to the rich.

[riversedge]

7. The new direction is Hillary and her proposals

Hillary Clinton ?@HillaryClinton Dec 23

Happy holidays! Text HOLIDAY to 47246 to hear a message from Hillary.
Play
https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CW7Np1fWkAAvY9F.mp4

[Gregorian]

13. Denial is ugly.

Last edited Fri Dec 25, 2015, 02:33 PM - Edit history (1)

I mean, she'll be alright. I want better than alright. It's not the end of the world, but for some it might be. We need big change that ain't coming from her.

[Thinkingabout]

25. She is the most qualified candidate running.

[Ned_Devine]

38. That's just an opinion

[Thinkingabout]

48. It is a fact, she has more foreign experience than any other candidate, she is the only

Candidate who has served on a presidents cabinet, she has served as first lady if Arkansas and of the US, she has served in the senate. No other candidate has served in all of these positions.

[Ned_Devine]

51. That's all well and good, but...

...my problem is what she did when she was in those positions of power. With foreign policy for example, I think of her Iraq war vote and that's enough for me to be totally turned off. I don't think she exercised the best of judgment when she had those positions which kind of makes that experience moot, thus not making her the best and most qualified candidate. Does that make sense?

[Thinkingabout]

57. If her vote on the Iraq War is troubling then to fund the war must be troubling to you also.

[Ned_Devine]

59. To find the war?

I'm not sure what that means. If you mean "fund" the war, as much of a problem as I have with the war, once troops are committed to combat, you can not just cut off their funding unless they are coming home the very day you decide to stop that funding.

[Thinkingabout]

62. It was a typo, glad you understood. If I was so against the war I would be against the

Funding as well, it was a decision by Bush to invade before exhausting all means first, I find it interesting the vote of one person rather than putting the responsibility on the decision maker.

It would be like the five votes against the Brady Bill and blaming one congressional member with all of the gun violence deaths which have been mush higher than Americans in Iraq. It is a war in the US.

[Ned_Devine]

63. So, were you not against the Iraq war? Is that what you're saying?

[Thinkingabout]

66. No, not true, it is wrong to blame the Iraq War on one congressional member who voted on the Iraq

Resolution went the decision to invade Iraq lies at Bushes feet. The same as blaming Sanders for all of the gun violence.

[daleanime]

86. Yes, it would be wrong to blame.....

but it wouldn't be wrong to consider decisions made under pressure. Do they make good ones or bad one? But your mind is already made up, and I refuse to over look the worst foreign policy mistake in our nations history. So have a peaceful Christmas and dream of no more war.

[Scootaloo]

60. Here's a thought...

Maybe there are those of us who see her foreign policy "experience" as a negative. Who see the "Business as usual" approach to the middle east as actively and crucially detrimental to our nation's interests and well-being.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

98. Find out what a fact is. Then come back. You're not doing it right.

[Martin Eden]

107. Dick Cheney was also highly qualified based on experience and resume'

Does that mean he would be your choice to lead America's foreign/military policy?

Hillary Clinton voted for and vocally supported the biggest and most consequential foreign policy action of the Bush/Cheney regime.

Her record on foreign policy is the biggest (but far from the only) reason she lost my vote.

[Thinkingabout]

108. My choice is not a candidate who has not shown an ability to discuss

Foreign affairs. Sanders is not comfortable on this issue.

[Martin Eden]

109. That's your perception

The truth is quite different. One need only read the speech Sanders gave in October 2002 to see he has spoken out forcefully and with great foresight on a critically important matter of foreign policy.

If Bernie Sanders seems "uncomfortable" talking about the current mess that is largely the result of policies advocated by Hillary Clinton that's because it is a very troubling situation with no good options. I have much more confidence that a President Sanders will begin to change the disastrous course we've been on. What I find troubling is HRC's "confident" demeanor as she continues the kind of policies that have proven to be so tragically wrong.

[Thinkingabout]

110. He has not shown he has a great concept of foreign affairs, it is not the fault of others.

[Martin Eden]

111. He has a much greater concept of it than Hillary Clinton

She's been dead wrong, literally and figuratively.

[chervilant]

43. I've heard this assertion

ad nauseam. It's almost as though some of HRC's supporters need to convince themselves it's true.

A video of HRC's "lies" has gone viral, yet not one of her supporters has discussed with me what we must do to prevent the Republicans from successfully derailing her campaign using such videos. If she wins the nomination (and, IMHO, that's a BIG if), we will have to contend with these and other issues, including the surveys that show that over 60% of those surveyed associate the word "liar" with HRC. That's just not going to garner support in the GE.

On the other hand, quite a number of people have become energized and engaged by Bernie Sanders' campaign. Senator Sanders has changed the political dialogue in our nation, and for that he has my undying gratitude. His awareness of the destructive and stultifying radical income inequity inflicted upon the vast Hoi Polloi by a handful of corporate hedonists (which has been a near constant concern for me and countless other US citizens, forced into marginalized existences by the corporate juggernaut) gives me hope that our nation can recover from this inequity, and provide a meaningful future for our younglings.

I consider this election the most critical one in my lifetime. Our younglings deserve a better future than the one we have thus far -- through action AND inaction -- bequeathed to them. I think Senator Sanders has a clear grasp of what needs to change, and I join the millions of other members of the vast Hoi Polloi in supporting him for our next President of these United States.

[Thinkingabout]

49. Hillary will serve the youth better than other candidates. It is not my desire to

Produce a video lo talking points on Sanders, I would rather talk about the positive points and issues of the candidates. Hillary has been fighting for rights of children since she worked for the Children's Defense fund, concerned about children getting an education, health, and the needs in housing and food. She went door to door in migrant camps trying to give the children of migrant workers an opportunity in life.

[chervilant]

56. That whoosh you hear...

Thanks for missing the point.

(Just wondering: where was HRC when corporates decided to destroy privatize our system of public education? When Obama appointed Arne "I play Basketball!" Duncan as SecEd? When food stamps were cut? When research showed that almost a quarter of our nation's children are growing up in poverty? Why don't I remember HRC being front and center on these critical issues pertaining to our younglings? She must have been terribly busy making speeches for hundreds of thousands of dollars...)

[Thinkingabout]

58. I would rather see a video on how Sanders is planning on implementing his

Issues and the cost and taxes associated with his agenda.

[chervilant]

61. Google is your friend. n/t

[Thinkingabout]

64. On FICA I see he has changed to the same as Hillary in raising the FICA

On those making $250,000, at first he was wanting to stop the max cap and tax everyone. Seems like some did not understand when Hillary was talking about not raising the tax on those making under $250,000 was people making over $250,000 was middle class, now that Sanders is proposing the same thing those comments have gone away.

[chervilant]

65. Here:

This is how much HRC is "helping" our younglings.

[Thinkingabout]

67. Do you have any information of Sanders doing something like going into

Migrant camps trying to help young children, I did the google, it did produce the information.

[pangaia]

87. You, "did the google."

THAT, tells me something.

[pangaia]

85. This ain't the video you asked to see but,, here ya go.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128090086

[creeksneakers2]

81. Chervilant writes:

"A video of HRC's "lies" has gone viral, yet not one of her supporters has discussed with me what we must do to prevent the Republicans from successfully derailing her campaign using such videos."

My analysis: The Republicans have been hitting Hillary with everything they have since 1992 and she's still running even with them. They probably won't find as much on Bernie but we don't know how what they do have will play out.

[Ed Suspicious]

94. The republicans are fetid bags of shit, not standard bearers.

[Plucketeer]

41. She'll be Obama's third term.

Bankers and war criminals will still skate with ease. Health Insurance companies will still be healthy. Po folk will still be in vogue.

[Thinkingabout]

50. That would be a good thing.

[ablamj]

71. Really?

It would? For who?

[Thinkingabout]

74. For you.

[ablamj]

75. No

Definitely not for me. Obviously you know nothing about me!

[ablamj]

77. How is any of this -

"Bankers and war criminals will still skate with ease. Health Insurance companies will still be healthy. Po folk will still be in vogue."

- good for me?

[Thinkingabout]

80. The big problem with the bankers not being held responsible for

The financial crisis is the Commodities Futures Modernization Act of 2000 of which Sanders for one voted yes. Don't put that one on Obama or Hillary, yes Bill signed a veto proof bill which was sent to him. The the credit where it belongs. Hillary wants to enhance the Dod Frank bill and invoke the Volcker Rule, this would bust up the big banks should they fail.

[ablamj]

82. So Bill should have vetoed

And let them override it. Thats the problem with the Clintons and Obama. They won't stand up for whats right.

And i CAN blame Obama for not going after banksters and war criminals. Instead he chose to become a war criminal, himself.

And yes i know ill probably get my first ever hide for saying that, but its the truth whether or not Democrats want to hear it!

[Thinkingabout]

83. Veto proof, means there was already enough votes to override a veto

When it was sent to Bill. Sanders voted yes on this one, it is a problem for Sandrs.

[ablamj]

88. I know what veto proof means

I'm not an idiot like you seem to think. He still should have vetoed and made them do it so he wouldn't have to take the blame.

And you still haven't told me how any of this helps me, like you said it would...

[redstateblues]

103. Ridiculous hyperbole

When you say stuff like that it makes all your other claims weak

[ablamj]

104. Not sure

Who you are responding to, but I don't see any hyperbole, ridiculous or not.

[artislife]

54. Ha ha

Oh well.

Tra la la la la and a happy holidays to you and yours anyway!

[Plucketeer]

42. Cut it out

You know damn well she'd be a panacea for every ailing facet of this corporate feeding trough.

[Gregorian]

46. Haha

Hillary: Better than Trump!

[vi5]

9. It would be kind of sad/ironic/whatever....

that the only reason I would likely end up voting for Clinton is because she is a woman and just as with Obama's groundbreaking accomplishment I would not vote against my children's opportunity seeing a woman president in their lifetime.. As much as I loathe a majority of HRC's policies and positions I'm very careful to never speak ill of or complain about her in front of my daughter. She's still too young to not possibly confuse my dislike of the woman's policies and politics with my dislike of her or her gender.

[Alfresco]

11. I am confident, once in office she would make you proud of that vote.

[vi5]

69. Yeah....no.

She's never done anything so far, that even when right wasn't simply the politically beneficial or expedient thing to do. i don't trust any politician, regardless of the letter after their name, that operates that way.

[Ferd Berfel]

10. She is the president Wall Street needs - NOT the rest of us

Hillary is a creature of Wall Street, has taken huge amounts of money from them and their spawn

What he Said VVVVVV

[Alfresco]

14. She is smart, hard-working and has dedicated her adult life to public service.

[Ferd Berfel]

19. ...and it's December and the water is Blue in the Bahamas, and

and it might rain on MOnday.......

"She is smart, hard-working and has dedicated her adult life to public service".... what's that got to do with it?

You could have made the same statement about McCain or Lieberman.

Don't want either of them either

[Thinkingabout]

26. Cornel West is not one I would pick to follow.

[comradebillyboy]

36. Will Cornell West's endorsement

lose more votes for Bernie than it wins?

[Ned_Devine]

52. No way!

He's an American treasure.

[Thinkingabout]

53. From some of the comments I have read he is not a hero of many, it may not lose any votes but will

Not gain any votes. It was advised West would not be able to deliver the votes.

[pangaia]

91. " It was advised West would not be able to deliver the votes."

Can you explain please?

WHO advised? Where? When? Why?

[Scuba]

12. I also strongly disagree but also with you and yours a great holiday and new year.

[Alfresco]

15. Thank you and to yours as well.

[hobbit709]

16. The last thing I want or need is another president by and for the 1%.

[Alfresco]

17. I hope we don't elect a republican also.

[Thinkingabout]

30. Exactly, this is why we need Hillary as president, she will represent

Americans, unlike the claim she only represents the 1%.

[hobbit709]

35. Now THAT is funny.

Do you really think she will pay attention to you or rather to Wall St.

[Thinkingabout]

55. Yes, if you think about the notion she will only help those on Wall Street,

There are not enough votes on Wall Street to win an election. If you think she is only getting support from Wall Street then you are mistaken, many of her supporters have nothing to do with Wall Street though some have been convinced otherwise.

[ablamj]

72. But

There is enough money to buy it!

[Thinkingabout]

73. And money doesnt buy voters which are not available, it doesn't

Make sense to even think Hillary only needs the 1% from Wall Street, after all the Republicans will be getting the majority of the votes, Hillary knows she needs lots of votes and will be running for re-election and will need the 99% to re-elect her.

[ablamj]

76. The candidates with the most money

Win 95% of the time. Money can buy elections!

[Thinkingabout]

78. Again, money can't buy bodies to go and vote, for any of the candidates,

Simply there are not enough votes on Wall Street to win a national election.

[ablamj]

79. Yes it can

when the money is spent in the media where most people get their information. Catapult the propaganda enough and you can get people to vote against their best interests.

[Thinkingabout]

89. Like creating human Dolly like the cloned sheep?

[ablamj]

90. Are you sure you responded

To the correct post? I have no idea what that has to do with money in politics.

[Thinkingabout]

99. I wondered myself especially since NY state does not have enough

Electoral to win the presidency, Saying she is only concerns about Wall Street and the 1%, not enough votes or people who are in the 1% to win the presidency.

[ablamj]

100. It appears

like you are not even reading my responses . I already told you how she gets the votes - nation wide, not just NY.

[Thinkingabout]

102. How large is the 1%, millions? It does not stand to reason Hillary would

Depend on the 1%, in fact I am a Hillary supporter, I am not one of the 1% and have never received money to vote for any candidate and furthermore I do not depend on the issues of a candidate to secure my vote by what their agenda may be. Saying Hillary is only for the 1% does not add up to enough votes to win the presidency. The Wall Street will give lots of votes to the Republicans.

[pangaia]

92. Money very well CAN buy the bodies to go and vote.

That's how it works.
And Bernie wants to change that,
Hillary does not.

[rhett o rick]

21. Her solutions for helping the 99% do not include help from the 1%. She protects them as her number

one goal. The growing wealth inequality is creating more and more poverty. She expects us in the 99% to carry the full burden of fixing America. We can't afford it. She represents the existing corrupt Establishment that has put us where we are.

[corkhead]

22. Yes, just like England needed Margaret Thatcher

[Helen Borg]

39. So true!

[99Forever]

23. Speak for yourself.

This "we" couldn't disagree more, nor could almost every person I know.

Or perhaps that's the Royal We?

[jehop61]

24. Great post

Last edited Fri Dec 25, 2015, 04:00 PM - Edit history (1)

She will make a fine President. Bernie is a good man with great ideas, but he is not a leader. His plans, while good, are not workable in the current political climate. And his foreign policy experience is almost non existent. Hillary is used to the poisonous atmosphere in Washington and able to hold her own in a fight that is sure to happen with the republicans. Bernie hasn't really faced that despite his long career. I wish his supporters were as gracious as he is when faced with others disagreeing with him.

[Thinkingabout]

32. Good post, Hillary works for everyone, she has been in the 99% much

More than than in the 1%, she has been in our shoes.

[chervilant]

44. Gratuitous?

"I do not think it means what you think it means."

gra·tu·i·tous
(grə-to͞o?ĭ-təs, -tyo͞o?- )
adj.
1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned.

2. Given or received without cost or obligation; free.

3. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism.

(Perhaps you meant "gracious"?)

[JackInGreen]

27. I don't remotely agree

But it's Christmas and debates my low priority. Happy Yule and merry Christmas

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. No sale.

[bowens43]

29. we need hillary like we needed nixon....no thanks

[jalan48]

33. I'd sooner vote for Michelle Obama-she's more real.

[onecaliberal]

34. Not.

[santafe52]

40. Great post!

Looking forward to Madame President Clinton.

Many of the people responding to this thread DESERVE another George W. Bush---or maybe a President Trump.

Bernie would be very ashamed of them for their comments, attitudes and ugliness.

I wish he'd drop by DU and advise his followers to pull their heads out of their asses. We are all SUPPOSED to be in this together--Democrats with a common purpose.

Congrats again, Hillary supporters, for staying out of the mud. Your respect for Bernie is evident and heartwarming. The anti-Hillary comments on DU are running about 500 to 1 against the anti-Bernie comments. It's disgusting and it's beneath the integrity of Mr. Sanders and everything he stands for.

[pangaia]

93. " We are all SUPPOSED to be in this together-

-Democrats with a common purpose."

I agree 100%. And as soon as you guys get your heads out of your asses and join Bernie's revolution, the sooner we will be all together.

[Vincardog]

45. If HRC was as described I would agree.

[azmom]

47. She's the last thing this country needs.

[ohheckyeah]

68. I can agree with that. n/t

[GeorgeGist]

70. Sorry, but that's pretty thin reasoning to justify your claim of Hillary being:

[font size =4]

The President We Need

[morningfog]

84. The author loses credibility with the claim the no one has done

more for women's rights. That's just wrong, objectively wrong. Ruth Bader Ginsberg, for one obvious example, has done far more than Hillary.

[Luke Notyourfather]

95. The President We Knead

[Betty Karlson]

96. Tone-deaf sycophancy. The 1 % may need Clinton, 99% doesn't really. eom

[Martin Eden]

105. Our country needs real change. Hillary is the status quo candidate.

It's incredibly naive to believe a candidate financed by Wall Street will be a champion of reform that will curtail the money making schemes of her biggest donors. Hillary Clinton represents the neoliberalism that has to be expunged from the Democratic Party if it is ever to truly represent the interests of the American people.

Senator Clinton showed horrible judgment when she voted to give GW Bush authority to invade Iraq, and she is still a hawk. Secretary Clinton was an advocate for regime change in Libya and Syria as well. The unintended consequences of the ensuing chaos are all too plain to see. The costs, in both human terms and our national debt, are more than we can afford. The $trillions we are spending on unending wars that only serve to add fuel to global terrorism and profits for the military industrial complex make it nearly impossible to adequately fund education, health care, and the sustainable energy infrastructure vital to our future.

I submit that "women's issues" are very badly served by the continuation of the above policies HRC has supported and would carry forward as president.