Like many other progressive Democrats who are disappointed in President Obama’s failure so far to bring about as much social change as we had hoped for, I’ve been pondering the alternatives.
If John McCain had won the White House, this country would surely be in far worse straits — perhaps with even more war, even less corporate regulation, and an even worse economy. So obviously we are lucky that McCain did not win.
But what if Hillary Clinton had defeated Obama in the primaries and had gone on to win the White House? How would things be different if she were President?
The majority of respondents believe that things would be pretty much the same if Clinton were President. They see the Obama administration as a rerun of the Bill Clinton administration — too centrist, too indulgent of big business, and too afraid of ruffling the feathers of the vast right-wing conspiracy.
Others reflected my own gut feeling that things might be a bit better for progressives today if Clinton had won. Throughout the first year of his presidency, we saw Obama still playing the community organizer — making deals, being nice, and bending over backwards in hopes of engaging the Republicans in Congress who obviously only want him to fail. And that set a precedent, teaching the Republicans that they could walk all over Obama and, by extension, the Congressional Democrats.
What this country needs is a leader, not an organizer. The Chief of Staff (though obviously not this last one) can handle the organizing. We need a President who is strong and tough. And I think there’s no doubt that Clinton is, in general, much stronger and tougher than Obama, and would have come across as such from day one.
Personalities aside, Clinton also knows how to play the Washington game. Obama is still learning. Right now we cannot afford so much on-the-job training.
Duuuuuhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Interestingly, no one responded with the opinion that things would be worse if Clinton were President. One person did point out that a Hillary Clinton presidency would bring out a lot of sexism, but that would simply have replaced the racism we’ve been seeing as a result of having an African American in the White House.
What about all the sexism that came out of the aforementioned African-American's campaign? These "progressives" still won't talk about that, will they?
I can't remember where I read it, but it referred to this adminstration as the "progressive dude" administration. And that is just dead-on right. It is still the boys club and there has been no real change.
Let me put it this way. If you buy a pair of Dockers in blue, then buy a pair of Dockers in green, what is the difference? Only the color. I feel this way about Obama...no real change except for the color. Still the same male-dominated attitude.
Hillary would have been the real change...change of mind-set and values. Men whatever color are still from Mars...and women whatever color are operating from Venus.
We needed a Venus mindset for real change in the White House.
I can't remember where I read it, but it referred to this adminstration as the "progressive dude" administration. And that is just dead-on right. It is still the boys club and there has been no real change.
Let me put it this way. If you buy a pair of Dockers in blue, then buy a pair of Dockers in green, what is the difference? Only the color. I feel this way about Obama...no real change except for the color. Still the same male-dominated attitude.
Hillary would have been the real change...change of mind-set and values. Men whatever color are still from Mars...and women whatever color are operating from Venus.
We needed a Venus mindset for real change in the White House.
Your comment is spot on, VH.
Love the docker analogy. Same day - different pair of pants in the WH.
Hillary told us in realistic terms what a H. Clinton Admin. would look like, and it would have differed greatly from King Obambi's. How one performs as president is directly connected to core beliefs, values, patriotism - or lack thereof, and attitude about self and others. At Hillary's core, she cares about this country and its people. Obama's presidency doesn't reflect strenth and passion about America and Americans because he is devoid of those qualities.
The delusional progs who think things would be the same today if Hillary had been awarded the nomination she legitimately WON don't possess even a basic, fundamental knowledge of her record as FLOTUS, senator, and SOS. Her life reflects her values and level of patriotism. Unfortunately, Obama's life reflects his, as well.
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It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less. ~Susan B. Anthony