Hillary Clinton the Populist Begins Courting the Plutocrats

[Jesus Malverde]

One of Hillary Clinton's biggest applause lines in her early days on the campaign trail has come when she talks about getting big money out of politics—even when she's talking to the big-money donors.

It's one of the paradoxes of a campaign that regularly employs populist rhetoric while courting plutocrats. Clinton can't change the system unless she wins the election, a campaign official argued, and the only way to win the election is with the help of deep-pocketed allies.

Clinton's message on the campaign trail, where she's focused on casting herself as a "champion" for "everyday Americans" could get complicated by her courting of the one percent. That tension ramped up this week as Clinton arrived on the West Coast for a series of fundraisers for her campaign committee (to which individual donors can legally give a total of $5,400)—as well as some smaller meetings in Los Angeles and San Francisco with potential donors to Priorities USA Action, the Democratic super-PAC that can collect checks in unlimited amounts on her behalf.

Clinton put off fundraising for the first several weeks of the campaign in favor of living room and kaffeeklatsch politicking. Now, she's schmoozing with some of her party's highest rollers while some in her party are pushing her to take a more militant tone on behalf of the have-nots. Clinton's one-time Senate campaign manager, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, will be in Washington on Tuesday to unveil a liberal campaign manifesto with Senator Elizabeth Warren. Clinton has moved aggressively to preempt attacks from the left.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-05-08/hillary-clinton-s-big-donor-paradox

[eloydude]

1. If she is still attracting big money donor, she failed and her nomination path killed...

She is still busy attracting the 1%'ers and not even thinking about the income inequality that is facing Americans.

Bernie gets it, and I back him 100%.

Bernie is not by any means rich, but he is not the richest Senator, and does not care to be.

That is the way to understand the 99%, and his policies and beliefs have reflected the plight of the 99%'ers.

Hillary, by ignoring the 99%ers more than the 1% - she turns off everyone except the Third Wayers and corporatist Democrats, which amounts about 100,000 or so.

There are 318 million of American voters, and just 14 of these have the same wealth as 138 MILLION other Americans. And that is NOT right.

[Jesus Malverde]

2. I think this quote shows a disconnect with the average american.

"Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times. But the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top," she said in her campaign announcement video. She has subsequently used similar language in nearly all her public appearances. "Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion."

I don't believe that Americans have fought back from tough economic times. I still know many who are no longer considered unemployed but are not working.

[MaggieD]

5. Not where I live

I used to get 100 applicants for every job and now I get about 5. Same thing that always happens when unemployment drops below 6%. Good jobs too. Not shitty minimum wage with no benefits.

[stillwaiting]

10. There have been plenty of reports that have clearly shown where all of the financial gains from

our economic "recovery" have gone.

Just about all of it have gone to the top 1%.

Based on the tenor and tone of your posts around here I am not surprised in the LEAST that you work for a company that offers good jobs. You clearly have yours, and you flat-out dismiss the concerns of many around here that are fighting to better their financial interests (or for others' economic well-being if they are fortunate enough to be doing well).

Look at the financial analysis that has been done regarding our "recovery". For the past 3 to 4 decades Americans have been losing financial security with every passing year. More debt and less retirement security. Less disposable income. To celebrate our current reality as a good one is just what the financial elite want. New normals and lower expectations. I'm not playing that game.

The economic "recovery" has been fully exposed for what it is. A recovery for the financial elite and Wall Street.

Main Street still struggles. Hope you join the fight one day and stop spreading their propaganda!

[MaggieD]

11. I own the company

I'm the good job provider.

[stillwaiting]

12. Even less surprising. Your care and concern for Main Street has been overwhelming.

To clarify: Even the Koch Bros. offer "good jobs". They're the good job providers. Just ask them. They'll tell you.

But, they fight to implement policies that HURT many, many more Americans.

I'm not saying you're as bad as the Koch Bros. of course. I am saying that your telling us to shut up and fall in line with "New Democrats" that continue to cater to the financial elite is probably self-serving based on your responses in this subthread. You might benefit financially, and you might have even experienced quite a large recovery during the Obama years. But, MOST Americans have not. And, continuing to tell us to shut up, fall in line, and to expect "New Democrats" as the best we can hope for is impolite since your economic fortunes have probably improved dramatically and most Americans' fortunes simply have not. Most Americans continue to lose ground.

It's just not very attractive for someone in your position to be lecturing from the position you are in. And, there are plenty of job creators and wealthy Americans that aren't supporting your centrist positions and centrist candidates as they fight to truly reform the system and reverse the relentless trend of increasing wealth and income inequality.

You've got yours. Time to start caring much more about the continuing economic deterioration of the average American.

[MaggieD]

15. My employees would differ with you...

... On that. And I'm not a centrist, I'm a liberal. Not everyone that owns or runs a business is a dick. But it seems to be the default view of the purists. Maybe that's why the extreme left is not very effective in politics.

[stillwaiting]

20. You spend ALL of your time fighting for centrist positions and centrist candidates.

Wall Street approved candidates/positions.

You spend LOTS of time railing against the "extreme left" which does NOT exist in the U.S.

I have no doubt that you believe that Obama/HRC will be great for your financial interests and well-being. Your wealth will surely improve and increase (even with the passage of free trade agreements). Your investments will swell and your financial prosperity will increase.

So, you are spending time fighting for politicians and policies that is in your self-interest.

And paying your employees well is certainly admirable, but so do the Koch Bros! Their net effect on the average American is horrible though. And, supporting Wall Street approved Democrats keeps us on the same train we've been on for the past 3 to 4 decades. Not good for most Americans. Most Americans will continue to lose financial ground. You are in the very small subset of Americans that will not. Your subset will continue to accumulate and sit-on wealth that used to be more fairly distributed when labor was more fairly and properly valued in this country.

In short, whenever wealthy Democrats support the Wall Street approved/centrist candidates it's really not that noble from an economic perspective. Wealthy Democrats don't sacrifice any of their wealth/income under Wall Street approved/centrist candidates. All sacrifices come from the working, poverty, and middle classes under Wall Street approved/centrist candidates. I imagine that's why these centrist candidates get such strong support from millionaires. These millionaires know quite well that they won't be making financial sacrifices (i.e. their wealth will probably grow). All sacrifices and compromises will be directed towards those that can least afford it.

And, you support that.

[MaggieD]

22. You don't know me at all

But your post is a perfect example of why I have no respect for the loony left. You make baseless assumptions about people with no evidence whatsoever. You're not worth my time due to that. And I know you don't realize it, but that's the exact same reason the politicians ignore the extreme left as well.

[stillwaiting]

23. You are a prolific poster over the past month or two that is FIGHTING for what you believe in.

I know you all I need to based on that.

You are one of the worst when it comes to mocking and ridiculing others on this website (your so-called loony left). And, you are mocking and ridiculing others from your privileged financial position. Just a little bad form?!?!

I am positive I know you as much as I would ever want to based on your behavior on DU.

And, the politicians ignore the LEFT in this country because they are selfish, greedy assholes.

[MaggieD]

25. Bullshit

Period. I've probably done more real work for liberal causes than all the keyboard commandos here combined. And, yes, the politicians DO ignore folks like you for exactly the reasons I have previously stated. Now you may not want to believe that or accept it, but that just means you will remain ineffective and marginalized. Your choice, of course. But at least now you know why the extremist left has no real accomplishments despite screaming for decades.

[TM99]

29. Prove it.

Seriously, you offer a lot of talk. But let's see some proof.

What you call the 'extremist left' is what was once main stream FDR/Johnson/Kennedy/Carter Democrats. You and the other Third Way triangulation centrists are the extremists. A minority position like the Tea Party that has taken over the Democratic party power positions through neo-liberal domestic policies, neo-conservative foreign policies, and propaganda. Oh, and all of that corporate cash sure greases the skids as well.

You are right in one respect. The progressive agenda has been weakened over decades of neo-liberal positioning in the Democratic party.

[MaggieD]

38. No, FDR/Kennedy/Johnson/Carter

Didn't pay any attention to the extreme left either. You're kidding yourself. That's why the extreme left doesn't accomplish anything. Ever. You scream and yell, and slander politicians and then cannot understand why they ignore you.

[TM99]

40. The only person who 'screams and slanders'

here is you MaggieD.

Those Presidents' policies are now considered the extreme left by centrists such as yourself. Read a book and please educate yourself about this. There may be hope for you yet though I am not holding my breath.

[stillwaiting]

30. I think it's cute how you presume to know me while simultaneously saying that I couldn't possibly

know you.

I'll fight you within the Democratic Party for as long as I'm alive.

You're beautiful. #Heathers

[MaggieD]

39. I don't know you

.... That's why I am only commenting to the on the content of the post I'm responding to from you.

But I have definitely heard the screeds like yours from the extreme left before. In real life we just ignore folks like that and get to work. The extremist clamor for a seat at the table, but they don't work well with others.

[Marr]

48. You are a perfect representative for your candidate. /nt

[LuvNewcastle]

17. Well said.

[edgineered]

19. Well stated.

For some,

a: Don't say you see it if you don't!
b: I don't see anything!
c: What you said!

[leftofcool]

51. And thank you for this MaggieD

There are so many good small corporations out there that do indeed provide good jobs. Isn't it odd how people scream, "we need jobs" then belittle the very people trying to provide those jobs?

[Buzz Clik]

28. Plenty of reports... mostly delivered by the right.

Interesting you have bought into that notion.

[stillwaiting]

33. Sorry. That's just not true.

Krugman ain't "right" :

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/opinion/krugman-rich-mans-recovery.html?_r=0

Piketty ain't "right".

Stiglitz ain't "right":

http://www.alternet.org/economy/joseph-stiglitz-why-rich-are-getting-richer-and-why-it-could-get-much-worse

Reich ain't "right":

http://robertreich.org/post/98668011635

But they are all most certainly RIGHT.

Pretending that things have improved in this country for people economically when most Americans still haven't recovered since the Great Recession does the Democratic Party absolutely no favors. There are far too many tuned out Americans that know damn well that their economic situation hasn't improved during this "recovery". They aren't going to be attracted to the Democratic Party if we pretend that their financial security has improved when it hasn't.

[Thinkingabout]

3. It takes lots of money to run for president, she understands this.

It may take close to $2 Billion using the campaign funds spent to get Warren elected in one state.
Hillary also knows this amount can not come from the 90%, simple facts. For those who thinks the money coming from the 90% is going to be enough then reality needs to arrive. You can make all of the remarks you want about the top 10% but in today's world this is who will be putting up the largest amount coming from individuals and a big portion from corporations.

Some claim Bernie will never take the money, if true then he is not a serious candidate. The money he has raised so far will not get him to first base.

[dembotoz]

9. sadly true

Have been involved with no money campaigns and they do no do well on election day

Money is involved cause money wins

[brooklynite]

14. add to that...

Hillary Clinton told me personally, at one of these events, that she supported overturning CU through either a Constitutional Amendment or through appointment of SC Justices. Now, either she's lying to her deep pockets supporters, which isn't a good way to get funding in the future, or she's telling us something she supports, and we support her in that effort.

[Thinkingabout]

26. I think CU has blown up in the face of the GOP. For years the GOP got big money and needed

ways to allow the donors to give more money. It backfired when the DNC was able to get big bucks also. We know for years corporations have given to both sides so they could get an ear from the candidates.

We have established the need for big bucks for a campaign, prior campaigns has spent big bucks and if Hillary or any other serious candidate does not get the funds then the campaign is lost before it begins.

As for the DNC, if we do not get candidates elected there isn't much chance CU will be overturned. It may be a horrible situation and we can hope we can take Congress back and get back to honesty.

[MaggieD]

4. What's your plan....

For winning the 2016 presidential campaign without money? Should we all lay down and die instead?

[Scuba]

6. "... the only way to win the election is with the help of deep-pocketed allies." Or policies ...

Policies that motivate people to the polls. That's Bernie's approach and I think it will work.

[brooklynite]

16. And how are you going to tell people about those policies?

Once we leave IA and NH, the schedule and the State sizes won't allow much retail campaigning. And with your low money campaign, you won't be able to pay for advertising. And I'm guessing you think the "MSM" is in the tank for Hillary or the Republicans, so they'll ignore Bernie. How do you proceed?

[Scuba]

18. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12805513

[Puzzledtraveller]

46. It's odd isn't it, we like to proclaim the success of the grass roots movement

and individual donors and web campaign that propelled Barack Obama but for some reason HRC supporters think can't repeat itself with Bernie Sanders.

[marmar]

7. Populist talk during the campaign, center-right governance once elected.....

...... We've seen this movie before.

[ibegurpard]

21. This movie is why I supported Obama in 08

and lo and behold I got exactly what I was opposing in Hillary when Obama turned out to be the same.

[Art_from_Ark]

49. Not one of my favorite movies, for sure

[Autumn]

8. Many of us have not been able to fight our way back from tough economic times.

And that's why Hillary will lose, She and her advisers just don't get it, she's no populist.

[Puzzledtraveller]

47. ^^THIS^^

[99Forever]

13. Des this actually surprise anyone?

This IS Hillary Goldman Sachs Clinton. This IS what she does.

[JaneyVee]

24. Sorry, but the rich aren't the enemy, rich conservatives are.

I know plenty of rich people who overwhelmingly fight for liberal causes.

[Jesus Malverde]

41. They are liberal on social issues but support

Right wing trade policies, believe the middle class is a cash cow they can milk and pay for access and favorable treatment of their industries.

[Puzzledtraveller]

44. I have come to believe when you are talking about millionaires and billionaires

you will rarely find anyone who is not willing or able to make exceptions to their particular political ideology to keep their bottom line deep in the black. Conservative rich people are bad, liberal rich are people good is hardly the reality beside being utterly simplistic and naive. When you play at that level the key word is "fluidity" of everything.

[Jesus Malverde]

50. It would be bad for business to not have access and influence...nt

[Buzz Clik]

27. Begins? Are we not to be convinced that Hillary is completely sold out to money and power?

Is this not the pro-Sanders line?

[Octafish]

31. ''Paradox'' is a handy euphemism for ''Hypocrisy.''

It's gonna take a lot of money for a really big television ad campaign to convince people otherwise.

[Jesus Malverde]

42. Might pay for some country music videos

Yeee haw‼️

[Octafish]

43. On Sale at Walmart.

Made in China and wrapped in the flag, which, come to check, also was made in China. Ironic, er, I mean, "goldic."

[Puzzledtraveller]

45. As long as she doesn't try to talk in that southern drawl anymore...

[DCBob]

32. "Clinton can't change the system unless she wins the election"

I know many wont believe that statement above but I think it rings true to me. In politics you have to play the dirty game just to get in the door. The question is will she actually move to change the system once she gets in. I think she will. She has been posturing her entire career just to get to this point and once she actually makes it to the Oval Office I do believe her "better angels" will emerge.

[TheKentuckian]

36. Oh yeah of too much faith in the worst area one could have faith in. A Turd Way and DLC founder pol.

Faith is for family, friends, and spiritual matters.

[DCBob]

37. Its not faith.. its a judgement call.

[cali]

34. I don't like it, but I do understand it. It muddles her message, but

it truly is the reality of the post CU election world.

I give her mostly a pass on this.

[whatchamacallit]

35. Same old deal with the devil

Deep-pocketed allies = post-election masters. You can take that to the bank.