PoliticalMonday, March 3rd, 2008, (6:14 pm)
I imagine that Hillary Clinton thought she was destined to be the first woman President of the United States, but it’s beginning to look like the role she’s been limbering up to for the last few years might very well slipping from her grasp.
When chatting to American friends about Hillary Clinton, I’ve noticed a significant number of negative reactions, be them facial expressions or actual groans at the merest mention of her name. Hillary, it would seem, has the power to really piss people off.
So what is it about Hillary that people seem to dislike so much? Is there some kind of character flaw in the former first lady? Or is it just the popular de-facto position to dislike her for reasons undefined?
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hillary is part of the Washington establishment and seems like she will say/do anything to get elected. The American public are jaded by politics and lobbyists etc. I think this is why people are excited about Obama, he has an enthusiasm and integrity about him that seems rare in Washington. You only have to listen to the man’s speeches to realise this guy is different, I think he is exactly what America needs at this time in history to restore its integrity.
God help us if McCain gets elected.
I remember you enthusing about Obama a good 12 months ago, you were spot on.
Yes we can!
Obama 08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tydfsfSQiYc
Obama speaks at MLK’s church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0x_TpDris
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 7:19 pm
On the character side, someone recently told me Hilary confuses power with aggression… and I think that’s very true. From the way she conducts herself with other candidates to the way she treats her staff- aggression is very evident; and who wants someone who cant control themselves in that department making decisions for our country? I sure dont.
that’s just one thing i dislike about the woman… if anyone wants a more detailed analysis, they can feel free to let me know. :)
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Random impressions of Hillary…
It’s great theatre-of-the-absurd entertainment watching right-wingers (and their corporate media flunkies) take their cheapest shots at Hillary and her family life, only to have their own marriages crash upon rocks of meth with homosexual prostitutes, secret abortions, gold-digging, nasty divorces, boozed-up children, etc., etc.
Meanwhile, Hillary, Bill & Chelsea seem to be practicing “family values” better than the whole lot them. In spite of all that, we’re still being reminded of Monica! Yes, that Monica — like celebrity “superstars,” she’s been raised to one-name-only recognition.)
What else about Hillary? She’s not likely to ever, ever defy the Israel lobby.
Anything else? Well, the Democrats are now sucking up so hard to immigrants (what with their bi-lingual groveling and all) that she’s probably going to be as disastrous as the neocons when it comes to adopting a sustainable immigration policy (meaning the number of people immigrating equals the number emigrating, etc.).
If all their alleged concern about global warming is more than hot air, population stabilization will absolutely have to be part of it. And in the US, that’s means serious border control. Is Hillary (or anyone) up to it? Like a wide variety of Americans, I won’t vote for them if they aren’t.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Whoa, that image works because it appeals to sexism. I am not a fan of Hillary, but I wonder how much of the vitriol Americans spew about her is based in discomfort with her sex, not with her policies. Many of her traits and experience as a politician would be valued differently if she was a man. Lemme see…our own Dem senator in this state, Ron Wyden. He gets things done, and has been outspoken on health policy and other issues that Hillary is passionate about for a long time. My jaw would hit the floor if there were a poster circulating that overtly called him a “ball breaker.”
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Hilary reminds me of a over-achieving high school girl who gets all the honors but somehow makes all her friends hate her. There’s a perception (fair or unfair) that the only thing the Clintons really care about is power, and they’ll do whatever they can to get it.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 3, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I’m a feminist. I would love to have a woman running for president whom I could in good conscience support. That woman is not Hillary Clinton. I don’t believe that any of the personal stuff such as “why didn’t she leave the son-of-a-bitch?” means a damn. I’ve followed her career. Listened to her speak about her positions, as well as her personal life. Taken note of how she votes.
In my opinion, she is a power hungry, condesending political opportunist who gets off on “playing the game.” Her voting record, disguised as “non-partisan compromise”, indicates that she should call herself a moderate Republican. If such an animal still existed.
As a Democrat, I am sick to death of having moderate to conservative Democratic polititions labled “liberal’, while genuine liberals like John Edwards are marginalized as “too far to the left”.
Where has the “too far to the right” Bush administration gotten us? Give me a real liberal of either gender, not a poser who always has one eye on what she needs to say, in order to get elected. If Barbara Boxer were running, I’d be the first in line to support her. With a broken heart, knowing she’d have a snowballs chance in hell.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 12:10 am
A politician is a politician and as far as that goes Hillary Clinton is a fine choice…how exciting it is that United States finally has the potential to have a female president and join the 21st century. and as far as having someone who stands for something…people don’t care about that any more; Al Gore stands firm in his environmental work and look what happened to him. right now this country needs a centrists like Hillary because our division is now our demise.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 12:29 am
too many years with bill — i do not want to relive the drama of all those scandals. she should have kicked him to the curb ages ago. i would have respected her more. as it stands i won’t vote for her or obama.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 12:49 am
I saw a blog that compared Hillary to Tracy Flick (from ‘Election’ – one of the best roles Reese Witherspoon ever played), and it’s so true, very similar to what greekphysique said.
As far as Obama goes – I like him the best (but what is that saying, these days?)… yet remember, his speeches are written by smarter people. ^_~ So don’t believe everything you hear. That “Yes we can” song is very catchy though! ^^
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 12:51 am
As much as I admire her talent and accomplishments, Hillary has too much ambition, too many demons, and too little idealism to help the middle class recover from the predations of Reaganism during the past 26 years. And that’s what we need to see and hear from the 2008 Democratic Party nominee.
If elected, Hillary would be the Democrats’ Richard Nixon- a foreign policy hawk, slightly liberal on domestic matters, clueless in connecting to the people, and surrounded by enemies, real and imagined. We need something better from the nation’s first female President if we are too see more of them anytime soon.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 1:20 am
People often get wound into debates about Hillary’s personality which seem to me to be entwined with our love of ‘personality’ over substance. What matters is her character, which is revealed in her conduct, such as bashing Muslims after the Sept. 11 attacks to score points with her New York constituency, and like the most recent phony drivel on her web site (“I want to have a conversation… yadda yadda yadda”).
Susan Sarandon nailed it: “What America is looking for is authentic people who want to go into public service because they believe strongly in something, not people who are trying to get elected.”
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 2:24 am
On a side note, I’m curious Simon, do you live in the UK or the States? I only ask because reading your blog I’ve noticed you seem mighty interested and informed about American politics yet you write very little about UK politics. Just curious that’s all.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 3:43 am
Christine, you know i think that’s true to an extent… but may no more then say people will not vote for Obama because of his race. Ive always kind of hoped we could kill both with one one stone in a female minority president…. but i guess the odds would be too much against her. kind of sad.
annabean, i would agree with the too many years with clintons part of your comment. You know, i think to potentially have 32 yrs of presidency go between two families is a little suspicious.
i would also add though that i really respected her for staying with Bill. sure it was a good political move, but it takes a lot to stick by your husband when the whole nation knows what he did wrong etc.. i mean, its still her marriage and still a brave choice for any woman to make. anyways, that was awhile ago…
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 4:14 am
I think that in the collective American consciousness Hillary occupies the same archetypal niche as Lady MacBeth. People view her as driven by ambition and are suspicious that behind the public persona she is at work pulling a lot of manipulative levers.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 4:19 am
Doug – It is practically common knowledge that though Simon is a citizen of the U.K., he knows a helluva lot more about American politics then that of his homeland. It’s true. He has been razzed by his fellow countrymen for his relative ignorance of British politics in comparison to his knowledge of American politics. Ask him. He probably can name more members of Congress than he can of Parliament.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 6:18 am
I am disturbed by the ever increasing trend of ‘political families’ dominating the U.S. political landscape; I know that there have always been prominent political families in the U.S. and elsewhere, but we are taking it too far. If I wanted to live in a monarchy I’d move to England.
If Hillary Clinton is elected it’ll be just like Bill Clinton was back in office, and this is not fair because he’s already had his 8 years. Ditto with Bush Jr. and Bush Sr., the Kennedy family, and others…this IS NOT GOOD for America’s democracy. We need fresh blood in the system, not ‘business as usual.’
The WASP elite in the U.S. and the Jewish elite are in the process of merging together, thus controlling ALL sides of America including politics, business/economics, military, etc. They are intermarrying with each other, hogging up all the slots at America’ elite universities (which are nothing more than eugenically driven breeding grounds for America’s economic and cognitive elite), and utterly dominating all forms of the economy and foreign policy.
Yeah, so much for ‘equal opportunity’ for ALL American citizens.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 7:58 am
Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. Not if I have anything to do with it!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 8:22 am
You know she has to be bad when Anne Coulter says she’d vote for her over McCain!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 3:22 pm
This post is very disrespectful to Hillary! You Simon are clearly sexist putting that picture with this post you reveal that but then I learn you are a europhile so that makes some sense to me now. A europhile taking shots at our political system like yours is somehow superior! Why do you blog about Hillary? What’s your motive here? It’s fashionable to “hate Hillary” and that annoys me because it’s so unfounded and sexist, but it annoys me more that I find some europhile who has NO SAY WHATSOEVER in our internal political system peddling this kind of sexist crap! Shame on you Simon, SHAME ON YOU!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 3:33 pm
^Sarcasm?
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 4:12 pm
melinda, you know it seems he put the pic there to show her controversial nature… which it would appear struck a chord with you.
I think if you took a moment to read the post, you’d find the post was to open up dialogue. As an american female, I’m not offended at all by the post. To not like hilary, doesnt make me more fashionable (i accomplish that on my own thank you…), and my dislike for her is very well founded and not about her gender at all. She’d be dreadful as a man or a woman in my opinion. I dont agree with her stance on certain issues and i think her character has a lot to question.
Anyways, i encourage you to open your mind a little to the dialogue i think you missed here and try to reasonably show us what makes hilary great- cause right now you’re one of the few on this blog who thinks she’s great. Maybe you could help us see what we’re missing.
palindrome girl, lol! i agree with you… a potential 32 years with 2 families- seems a little too coincidental to me.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 5:09 pm
To me sex don’t matter, but people on 3rd world countries think it is important. If our president is a women and goes to places like Arabia, Iran, etc…how do you think males in those countries will react? They will try to make us feel inferior. However, I think we are ready to step up and show the entire world we’re not afraid of change…’cause we’re not. England has a female ruler and nobody says anything. England has showed the entire world that women are capable of being in charge. Why we can’t do that too? People in America is so media-consumed that live their lives based on ridiculous scandals. We can’t blame Hillary for being a women! Presidents should be chosen based on their qualifications to do the job, not on their “looks”. The looks can IMPRESS anybody, but skills can CHANGE anybody. As a country we don’t need to impress anybody, but to maintain what we have and change whatever is needed to make this a better country for future generations. I’ll be voting for Hillary here in Ohio!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I won’t be voting for Hillary for one very simple and important reason; I do not believe that any woman should become president because women tend to get more emotionally attached and pressured by any situation. In Ephesians 5:22, it states, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” Biblically, the husband is supposed to be over the wife, and I believe this applies to the presidency as well.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I do have an open mind Rachel, that’s my point! Hillary bashing is a fad and this blog is a fine example of that. Here is a europhile nobody writing something that openly invites haters to comment while HE accompanies the post with an image that is sexist in its inference. It’s the media that a feeding this fury against Hillary, a media machine that is run by MEN! This post just replicates the fad in the same way any fad is replicated among the followers of the world who are largely incapable of thinking for themselves.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Wow, this is out of hand.
@ Melinda H – While I can concede that the Hilary doll in the pic is indeed sexist, that doesn’t mean Simon is sexist just because he posted it. Also, where do you get off calling him a “eurofile”? Isn’t having national bias as unfair as having gender bias?
@ Kristen – I believe that men are designed to be able to handle certain types of external pressures differently than women, but I don’t believe this disqualifies women from holding positions of great important or responsibility. I wouldn’t be so quick to disqualify your gender, or use the Bible to do so.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I’d like to respond first by saying that I used the picture of the Hillary nutcracker because I felt that the nutcracker itself was controversial and I found that interesting given that, to my knowledge, there seem to be no similar nutcrackers or the like made in the image of Obama or Edwards. I took the picture of the nutcracker on a recent visit to New Orleans.
I’ll be honest with you, as WilVo has pointed out, I have been backing Obama for a long time. I began listening to his podcast back in 2006 and a few months later, given that I felt Clinton would certainly make a run for President, I decided to listen to her podcast also. In the end I ended up unsubscribing from her podcast because, and I apologize if this sounds shallow, I found her to be un-engaging and her voice to be annoying. Today I feel the same way. Hillary seems to posses the ability to really divide the people more than she can unite them.
In response to Annabean I must say that I actually admire Hillary for sticking by Bill. His affair was played out under the intense glare of the worlds press and it would have been understandible for her to cut him lose very quickly indeed. However she took the harder decision to stand by the commitment she made to him at the alter, and in these times of staggering divorce rates and broken families I find that particular decision admirable.
Perhaps there is more to it than that, but I’m frankly surprised to hear a Christian woman like yourself so vehemently bang a drum for divorce when marriage and commitment is at the very centre of your faith.
In response to Doug Fir and the rather angry sounding Melinda H allow me to explain why I follow American Presidential politics with such close interest.
In the last 8 years I have watched a country I truly love allow it’s good name and reputation to be dragged through the mud by a President who has seemed at times to be shockingly out of touch and incompetent. The pride America places in the democracy it seeks to export became a laughing stock days after the 2000 election when the result became a matter for lawyers and judges to decide in a country famous for being litigious. Freedom was embarrassed and the star spangled banner became a punch line!
The attacks of September the 11th 2001 soon became a battle cry for an un-winnable “War on terror” that has not freed us from an enemy but has instead restricted the very freedoms it claimed to defend.
It’s hard to stand by America and say I love that country when the man who speaks for it stumbles over his words like a drunkard, unable to look Presidential let alone act it!
I am interested in who becomes the next President of the United States because I still believe that under the right leadership America can play a huge part in leading the world in facing up to the challenges ahead.
So yes, while I might be a “europhile” but I am not alone in paying such close attention to your politics. The entire globe is paying close attention at this time because we have ALL lived with YOUR decisions for the last eight years and that’s been deeply frustrating.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I found an article in Xianity Today titled “Hating Hillary”, in which the author states, “Perhaps Hillary-bashing says more about the political climate Americans have created than it does about Clinton herself. The current President? “Village Idiot.” The one before him? “Slick Willy.” And on it goes. Instead of researching a candidate’s voting record or listening to position statements on pressing issues, it’s easier to mark someone ENEMY and begin the verbal whacking. There’s admittedly something comforting about this: It helps make sense of the world and creates a feeling of mutuality among those with whom we share dislike.”
In criticizing the mean spirited response that Xians often have towards their political enemies, the author further states, “vitriolic language directed at political figures does not, to use the Pauline metaphor, attract others with ‘the aroma of Christ.’ It just creates a stench, making it more difficult to nurture relationships with those who want to meet Christ and who happen to support Clinton. Such talk easily slides into denigrating those on the other side of the political spectrum—who may just be on the other side of the aisle on Sunday mornings.”
In his conclusion, the author offers the following remarks, the insights of which I too feel are often neglected by Xians in the public sphere: “Neither John the Baptist nor Jesus nor Paul was always meek and mild when they challenged the principalities and powers. But when vigorous political discourse turns into bashing of public figures, it perpetuates a great lie: that they are merely the ideologies and symbols attached to them. When a candidate’s ideology is mistaken for his or her personhood, it masks a crucial truth: that each person, no matter their political views, bears God’s image and matters deeply to him.”
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Seeing Melinda H’s post saying:
“… that annoys me because it’s so unfounded and sexist, but it annoys me more that I find some europhile who has NO SAY WHATSOEVER in our internal political system peddling this kind of sexist crap! Shame on you Simon, SHAME ON YOU”
reminded me of why so many men dislike Hillary … she reminds them of their ex-wives
Wrote the following comment on Mar 4, 2008 at 9:36 pm
By the way Simon, on the Europhile scale that runs between a blue collar Canadian of English descent (1) and an upperclass, elitist French politician, who uses American antipathy to rally votes (10), I think you are only about a two. Maybe after America does something particularly stupid, you are perhaps a four, but overall, you like us.
And in the end, America likes you, Simon Jones!!
:-)
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 12:34 am
simon, you definitely called me out on that one. my knee-jerk reaction about hillary results from my cynicism, because somehow i find it hard to believe that her reasons for staying with bill had much to do with their marriage. i’ve always imagined that she stayed with him as sort of a deal. that she would stomach the humiliation in exchange for her chance to run for the presidency. of course that’s pure speculation.
as far as marriage goes, hillary had biblical grounds for a divorce since bill cheated on her. however, i am a proponent of married people working it out whenever they can, even in the worst of circumstances.
good job, simon, for opening up the dialog.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 1:20 am
Obama is going to hurt the country! Sadly a coloured girl on CNN is still slandering Clintons name, when will they stop? I have never herd one word against Obama. Something is very wrong, someone has been paid a lot of money to promote Obama. I wonder how much
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 1:25 am
Holy Jesus, I just got an email notification with a comment that is so incredibly vile…racism sucks.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 1:37 am
She has no personal charm or charisma.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 3:51 am
JT, are you kidding me? You need to watch/read more news if you think Obama hasnt been subject to similar attacks. How about suggesting Obama is a Muslim? How about distributing pictures of him in traditional African dress? If we are going to talk about money, let’s look at campaign financing rather than the ludicrous accusation that Obama has somehow bribed the media.
Can you explain why you think Obama is going to hurt the Country?
Hilary may be experienced at playing the game in Washington, the trouble is the game is a mess and we need a new game.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 4:08 am
seriously JT…how can you say something like that? .i keep hoping that racism isnt this bad in our country anymore… but it would appear from your comment i am sadly mistaken! but i suspect you’re not from america with the way you spell colour… where are you from?
either way, i really regret you dont have more respect for humanity.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Looks like its game on and this is going all the way to the convention. This contest has so many parallels with the one is season 6 of the west wing. Bring on the floor fight :-)
Wrote the following comment on Mar 5, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Just so you all know a vote for obama is:
a vote for HIGHER TAXES!
a vote for AMNESTY for criminal ILLEGALS!
a vote for ILLEGALS getting drivers licenses!
a vote for crappy healthcare – and for UNEMPLOYMENT of our healthcare services!
a vote for plagerism!
a vote for LIES!
a vote for dirty politics!
a vote for anti-American agenda!
a vote for the GAY/nambla agenda!
a vote for GAY marriage!
a vote for deviding America!
a vote for legalizing DRUGS!
a vote for a HORRIBLE AMERICA!!!
VOTE FOR HILLARY!
UNITE AMERICA & VOTE FOR HILLARY!!!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 1:59 am
Regarding those who didn’t like my describing a coloured girl as coloured I simply don’t understand the fuss. The girl was coloured. This is not be being a racist this is me stating the facts. She was a person of colour. She was black. She was a negro. An African American. Whatever term you are comfortable with that describes the fact her skin was brown, please apply in this case.
Not that I need to answer Miss Rachel, but I will. I am not a racist. I am English and have lived in the United States for more than 45 years!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 9:42 am
JT, why did you feel the need to mention her colour?
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 2:14 pm
You want reasons why you should vote for Hillary? Okay then, here are 100 reasons to vote for Hillary!
Reason #1 to support Hillary:
In Arkansas she was instrumental in straightening out their school system – taking it from one of the worst systems to a role model used by other troubled schools on how to improve public education.
Reason #2 to support Hillary:
In 2006, she led the fight to kill the anti-gay Republican constitutional amendment that for the first time would have added laws to the Constitution that would INCREASE discrimination.
Reason #3 to support Hillary:
After being pummeled by the public for trying to pass Universal Health care while she was First Lady, she dusted herself off and in 1997, led a federal effort that provided insurance support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage.
Reason #4 to Support Hillary:
She was able to secure a raise in research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.
Reason #5 to Support Hillary:
She initiated the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
Reason #6 to Support Hillary:
She’s authored a great deal of legislation during her years on the Armed Services Committee that has passed regarding increased and improved benefits for our returning Iraq veterans.
Reason #7 to Support Hillary:
She was one of the key Senators who fought to give our military badly needed raises and increase in benefits. For being such flag wavers, it was the Republicans and Bush who resisted these attempts to show our military how much we value and appreciate them.
Reason #8 to Support Hillary:
Since 1974 she has been fighting for a woman’s right to choose.
Reason #9 to Support Hillary:
She is fighting to lift the ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases.
Reason #10 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Reason #11 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Reason #12 to Support Hillary:
Vows to protect next generation by paying off national debt.
Reason #13 to Support Hillary:
Fought in Congress to “Help people facing foreclosure; don’t just bail-out banks.” (Aug 2007)
Reason #14 to Support Hillary:
In 1962 she met MLK Jr. preaching a sermon in Chicago and learned from him the importance of equal rights for all.
Reason #15 for Supporting Hillary:
In 1965 she brought black classmates to her until-then all-white church.
Reason #16 to Support Hillary:
Since 1995 has criticized China’s human rights abuses.
Reason #17 to Support Hillary:
IN 1988 Instituted gender diversity Report Card within the American Bar Association, which sets standards for lawyers in the U.S.
Reason #18 to Support Hillary:
In 1972 worked as a lawyer suing white-only schools, working with Marian Wright Edelman on enforcing school desegregation in the South.
Reason #19 to Support Hillary:
In October, 2000 she said it’s not enough for America just to apologize for slavery and move on; we need to concentrate on civil rights now.
Reason #20 to Support Hillary:
Has been pushing for a “Privacy Bill of Rights” for all Americans since 2000.
Reason #21 to support Hillary:
Will end don’t ask, don’t tell in the military, “Gay soldiers need to shoot straight, not be straight.” November 2003.
Reason #22 to Support Hillary:
Supports civil unions, with full equality of federal benefits.
Reason #23 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on adding violent crimes based on victim’s sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes.
Reason #24 to support Hillary:
Rated 96% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance.
Reason #25 to support Hillary:
Freedom of Speech: Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration.
Reason #26 to Support Hillary: [A.K.A “Whoopi Goldberg’s reason to support Hillary”]
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Reason #27 to Support Hillary:
Voted more funding and stricter sentencing for prosecution of hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Reason #28 to Support Hillary:
Voted to Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
Reason #29 to Support Hillary:
Although she was in college during the height of the drug culture in the late 1960s, she was devoted to work on civil rights instead of partying and taking drugs.
Reason #30 to Support Hillary:
She is fighting for Universal pre-kindergarten.
Reason #31 to Support Hillary:
Wants to establish an education “Bill of Rights” – Establish right to education from pre-school thru college.
Reason #32 to Support Hillary:
Since 1998 has fought publicly to keep art and music programs in public schools. “Arts education is needed in our schools.”
Reason #33 to Support Hillary:
‘Government should pay off all student loans for teachers who go to urban schools.” March, 2000
Reason #34 to Support Hillary:
Wants a complete re-write, a Total change in No Child Left Behind. (August, 2007)
Reason #35 to Support Hillary:
Rated 82% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes.
Reason #36 to Support Hillary
Voted YES on spending $448B on education & debt reduction instead of Bush’s tax cut for the rich. (Apr 2001)
Reason #37 to Support Hillary:
Wants to “Remove energy dependence on countries who would harm us.” (Jun 2006)
Reason #38 to Support Hillary:
Wants to build a “$50B strategic energy research fund from taxing oil companies.” (Oct 2006)
Reason #39 to Support Hillary:
Wants to Invest in alternative energy; jobs that won’t be outsourced.
Reason #40 to Support Hillary:
Called on U.S. to Ratify Kyoto; and fund more mass transit. (Sep 2000)
Reason #41 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Reason #42 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
Reason #43 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
Reason #44 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
Reason #45 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
Reason #46 to Support Hillary: (listen up Louisiana!)
Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
Reason #47 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
Reason #48 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
Reason #49 to Support Hillary:
Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes.
Reason #50 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
Reason #51 to Support Hillary:
Called on Bush to “Put someone in charge of Katrina recovery who actually cares.” (Aug 2007)
Reason #52 to Support Hillary:
Her Support for green-collar job training
Reason #53 to Support Hillary:
Introduced bill to Better track kids’ products for exposures to toxic materials coming from China.
Reason #54 to support Hillary:
Calls for the government to treat kids as “child citizens” not “minors” under the law. (Since Dec 1999)
Reason #55 to Support Hillary:
Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition
Reason #56 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include poor Eastern Europe nations. (May 2002
Reason #57 to Support Hillary:
“Smartest strategic choice is peace.” (Nov 1999)
Reason #58 to Support Hillary:
Calling for a NATO-enforced no-fly zone to end Darfur genocide. (June, 2007
Reason #59 to Support Hillary:
IN the 1970s worked to pass Constitutional Amendment to allow young people aged 18, 19, 20 to vote.
Reason #60 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on allowing lobbyist gifts to Congress
Reason #61 to Support Hillary:
Pledges to support $50B for AIDS relief in US and world
Reason #62 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record.
Reason #63 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Reason #64 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Reason #65 to Support Hillary:
Says, “Torture cannot be American policy, period.” (Sep 2007)
Reason #66 to Support Hillary:
She would never say anything as creepy and cult-like as “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
Reason #67 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record.
Reason # 68 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
Reason #69 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
Reason #70 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
Reason #71 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Reason #72 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Reason #73 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Reason #74 to Support Hillary:
Voted: No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased.
Reason #75 to Support Hillary:
Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
Reason #76 to Support Hillary:
Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record.
Reason #77 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on repealing Clinton’s ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Reason #78 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25.
Reason #79 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing
Reason #80 to Support Hillary:
Admits she made mistake in believing in WMDs in Iraq after being mislead by the Bush Administration.
Reason #81 to Support Hillary:
Reaches out to conservatives but voting record is progressive.
Reason #82 to Support Hillary:
“Karl Rove is obsessed with me because I take Republicans on & beat them.” (Aug 2007)
Reason #83 to Support Hillary:
Served as a Staff attorney on Watergate/Nixon impeachment investigation.
Reason #84 to Support Hillary:
1976: Organized Indiana for Carter-Mondale campaign. She knows what it is like to work on a democrat campaign in RED STATES!
Reason #85 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation.
Reason #86 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Reason #87 to Support Hillary:
Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.
Reason #88 to Support Hillary:
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record.
Reason #89 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition.
Reason #90 to Support Hillary:
At Wellesley in 1968, steered college anti-war movement.
Reason #91 to Support Hillary:
Recommended by EMILY’s List of pro-choice women.
Reason #92 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Reason # 93 to Support Hillary:
1980s: Led her church to found the largest daycare in Arkansas.
Reason #94 to Support Hillary:
1978: chaired Legal Services Corp. in President Carter’s Administration – allowing Poor Families access to legal aid
Reason #95 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report to get us out of Iraq in a fast, safe manner.
Reason #96 to Support Hillary:
Voted YES on restoring $565M for states’ and ports’ first responders eliminated by the Bush Administration.
Reason #97 to Support Hillary:
Worked with Evan Bayh, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and others in the 1980s to rejuvenate the Democratic Party from within.
Reason #98 to Support Hillary:
In 1969, she entered law school as “vehicle for social change.”
Reason #99 to Support Hillary:
Calls to Increase spending for libraries.
Reason #100 to Support Hillary:
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I agree with Christine’s comment up towards the top of this post. Something someone else said in the comments above is that Hilary is too ambitious. Too ambitious!? There’s no way in hell that would be a comment about a male candidate… too ambitious. Goes to show that the research done in the 70s suggesting that our view of what makes a healthy female is much different that our view of what makes a healthy adult (which is similar to our view of a healthy male). And women can’t lead? Bah! If we’re looking for Biblical examples of women leaders, check out Deborah in Judges… she led an entire nation to war.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 5:52 pm
P.S. @ Tx_eggman – no offense but that was a little uncalled for (perhaps I read it wrong – it just rubbed me the wrong way)
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Okay, this is a general unrelated question, but I wonder whether leading a nation to war is easier than leading a nation away from war? I didn’t particularly see Chadwick’s response as sexist. I think he merely was stating her weaknesses as a candidate not as a woman.
I’ve read a number of reports that republicans went to the poles and voted for Hillary in order to sway the democratic nomination to have her on the ticket as they very well could beat Clinton in the general election.
I think that’s a very sad cynical approach to democracy. To my mind that flies in the face of true democracy and is best categorized as dirty politics. Personally I think that’s shameful behavior and is a poor demonstration of the democracy that America wants to export to the world. Dirty politics like that is truly vile and to my mind insults the men and women who are firing bullets on your behalf in countries in which the United States is actively “exporting democracy.”
Wrote the following comment on Mar 6, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Schmit, seriously. I hope you’re being sarcastic…. that’s the only way i can make sense of what you said cause Obama and Hillary have the same views on a number of your points.
I read through your points, and then just assumed you were a McCain supporter. Totally caught me off guard that you would dislike all those things about Obama.. but be a Hillary supporter! LOL!!! i think you should consider changing parties…
Now, i might be wrong with my analysis and i’m sure you have a reasonable explanation.. please share that with me. :)
Janelle, so… can i finally say that i do have a friend who supports Hillary? :) I’ve been trying to find one…
Wrote the following comment on Mar 7, 2008 at 1:36 am
Personally I am dreaming for a real conservative to step up and make this country strong again and ensure we remain the super power of the world and not fall into the shadows like France and Great Britain. If only McCain would pick the governor of Alaska to be his VP, that would be sweet. But I’m thinking that is highly unlikely despite her record as a true conservative and a bright young woman since she governs a state most people don’t even know exists half the time. A shame to be sure.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 7, 2008 at 2:22 am
PRESIDENT JOHN MCCAIN. I hope that sounds good to all of you that voted for Hillary Clinton because that is where that road leads!
This is why is I can never fully support the Democrat Party. They insist on electing presidential candidates that I want to punch in the face! Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, Kerry, and now Hillary Clinton. They all give me an uncontrollable urge to punch them in the face and I don’t now why. I know I’m not alone. All you have to do is look at the winning record of the Dems over the past 40 years.
The newest scare tactic of the frickin’ “3 AM phone call” commercial makes me sick. Way to pull a page out of the Republican scare tactics Hillary! Damn, we need to beef up education in this country.
As you can tell, I’m bitter that my state, the great state of Texas, has voted for Hillary Clinton. I hate losing! I’m livid and can hardly concentrate. Why won’t she go away? Why can’t everyone see that Obama is the best candidate out there?
I know, I know, Obama is probably going to eek this out, anyway. It’s like watching the Longhorn Basketball team lose to Texas Tech. I was livid even though I know which team is going to the NCAA tournament and which one isn’t.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 8, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Ah, now I understand why you’re so fascinated with our antiquated political system Simon. Though you should remember that we do not live in a democracy, we live in a republic.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 8, 2008 at 11:41 pm
My oh my…so many comments. You do know how to stir up the crowds, don’t you Simon!
What I find most interesting is that we get to chose between a black man or a woman in office. Seems the only way to get either of them elected is to have them run against each other. Either way, the barrier will finally be broken. I’m happy for that.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 9, 2008 at 8:52 pm
1 reason note to vote for Hillary.
Every pole indicates that she can’t win against McCain because independents won’t vote for her.
Wrote the following comment on Jun 7, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I think that the real reason to vote for Obama is not that Hilary appears to be a power-hungry candidate who will not relent even after it’s “all over” – the reason is because Barack Obama appears to be a candidate who has moral fibre and leadership qualities.
I doubt Obama will get everything right if he becomes president – but I do think that he will make his decisions with good intentions and will be able to unite the American people enough to make a worthwhile difference. I would vote for him in the view that he will be more open and honest with the American people and the rest of the world and we will see the integrity o the American peoples restored.
On another note, a more British note; what are your thoughts on OUR Prime Minister?
I’m personally thinking that we need another election here in the UK and we need to find some new candidates because our current cabinet is so stagnant and uninspiring that the youth population has no care for our candidates and an apathy is taking over the country in lieu of this unexciting stretch over the past couple of years that has been filled namely with terror threats and unhindered boozing. People care more about the next story about Lohan’s next party antics than we are about the way this country is run!
At this point, I don’t think we need someone smart running this country, the people in the background can make the right decisions for him/her, we need a damned leader, someone that people will actually get behind and someone who will hopefully stir this country out of the rut it’s stuck in.
Or maybe that’s just me.