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Amerigo Vespucci Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:17 AM
Original message
"They've been after me for 15 years, and much to their dismay, I'm still standing"
http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Clinton_I_have_best_chance_vs_GOP_11252007.html

Clinton Says She Has Best Chance to Win Against Republican Candidate

AMY LORENTZEN
AP News

Nov 25, 2007 18:29 EST

Hillary Rodham Clinton maintained Sunday that she's the best candidate to win against Republicans, saying she has more experience battling the GOP than any other candidate in the Democratic field.

"I believe that I have a very good argument that I know more about beating Republicans than anybody else running. They've been after me for 15 years, and much to their dismay, I'm still standing," she said in answer to a woman's question about her electability. "I'm leading in all the polls, I'm beating them in state after state after state."

Clinton has been widely criticized by her Democratic rivals who claim she's too polarizing, and can't bring the party together to win the White House. But she says she has support from around the country, including "more Democratic support from the so-called red states than anybody else running." She told the crowd of hundreds gathered at Perry High School that she has more U.S. senators supporting her than her rivals, as well as other lawmakers from states that "Democrats have a hard time winning."

"I think they have looked at the field and figured out who can best beat the Republicans," Clinton said.
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emilyg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:22 AM
Response to Original message
1. Strong, smart lady.
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JDPriestly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:34 AM
Response to Original message
2. Wishful thinking on Hillary's part.
What states does she think she will win?

Edwards is the most likely of our candidates to win in the most states. He is genuine, likable and smart.
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aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:37 AM
Response to Reply #2
4. She'll win New York. There's one.
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calteacherguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:38 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Don't Dems always win New York? nt
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Carrieyazel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:57 AM
Response to Reply #5
13. Since 2000 statewide, almost always. Big accomplishment there, Hillary.
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 12:58 AM by Carrieyazel
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aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:57 AM
Response to Reply #5
14. Yes, dear. But that isn't what you asked.
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Joanne98 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #4
7. Any Democrat can win in New York!
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oasis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:03 AM
Response to Reply #2
17. Edwards is "likable and smart". Maybe. "Genuine"??????.
:rofl:
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silverojo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 05:36 AM
Response to Reply #17
24. And what do you base your "rofl" on?
Oh, yes...your boredom with any candidate who cares about the poor?
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RichGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 07:55 AM
Response to Reply #2
29. Have you forgotten...
In 2004 he didn't even win his home state!
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JDPriestly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:16 PM
Response to Reply #29
50. My understanding is that Kerry's handlers spent no money there.
Also, North Carolina is super conservative. It is amazing that he won as senator there. It's easy to win in New York.
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Evergreen Emerald Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:31 AM
Response to Reply #2
36. he proved that wrong in the last election
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calteacherguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:36 AM
Response to Original message
3. I don't understand this argument.
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 12:41 AM by calteacherguy
She won a seat in the U.S. senate, granted. So did Kerry. Did that somehow make him immune to Republican attacks. I don't think so!

They went after Kerry for decades (ever since his Vietnam testimony), but it didn't help him win the Presidency.

She'll be swiftboated aplenty, like all the rest.
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aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:41 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. They never attacked Gore until he started running.
He had trouble standing up to the attacks. And everyone here has complained about Kerry's response. Hillary Clinton says she has fifteen years of fighting and winning against the most vicious possible attacks. She's telling the truth.

There's no straw here. Just people who can't tolerate Hillary Clinton being right about anything.
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AzDar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:48 AM
Response to Original message
8. Well, much to MY dismay....
I keed,I keed.
:rofl:
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Kurovski Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:48 AM
Response to Original message
9. Sure, Rush may still "be after her" but the real RW brokers, well, she works with
them in Washington. Rupert Murdoch digs her and Molly Ivins didn't.

RW business folk like her well enough, too.

This "15 year" thing is a "meh". We all fought against the Clinton impeachment. That was a damn long time ago.

If she wants to prove she's a fighter against the pubs today, move for some Bush/Cheney impeachment. Chat a bit about that. That would prove she can fight the Republicans where it counts. Elseways...I'm not buying.



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IndianaGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:52 AM
Response to Original message
10. The last thing we need is more of the polarization of the 1990s
and this is not about you, Hillary. Does it always have to be about you? You never stood on our side of the barricades when you voted for wars in Iraq and Iran.
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LeftCoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:00 AM
Response to Reply #10
16. Well, you better hope a Dem does not win then
Because whoever we elect will be demonized by the RW.
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RichGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 08:19 AM
Response to Reply #16
31. You're exactly right.
The RW will use swiftboating tactics to distract from the issues. They will attack whoever is our candidate. The advantage with Hillary is that we've heard it all before..it's old news. It won't be interesting enough to get the public's attention. Nobody wants to revisit Paula Jones, travelgate, etc. Hillary doesn't have to waste her time addressing or defending their accusations since she has been thoroughly investigated and exonerated on every count. The impeachment alone was four years and millions of dollars in investigations. Who would want to put more time and money into it.

Both Edwards and Obama have histories that are generally unknown. They can be sifted through for morsels or hints of wrong-doing...and blown out of proportion. The fact is that Edwards is not liked in his own state. I don't know why. Maybe it's just a case of the poor hating the rich. (Correct me if I'm wrong here...I don't know.) But, if he is the nominee they'll dig up every person who has a story to tell. And he'll spend all his time defending and explaining.
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denem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #10
20. No I disagree
The culture wars / class wars need to be WON. You may disagree that HRC is the wrong person to do it, and has no inclination for the fight anyway. But taking the fight up hard to the right is Polarizing par excellence - FDR was popular and very polarizing. Polarize them then thrash them - polarizing is not in itself a negative attribute.

Courting Republicans is simply a losing strategy. And Obama is the worst example.

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Carrieyazel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:52 AM
Response to Original message
11. Hillary: exactly the kind of candidate who would lose in those "hard" states.
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 12:53 AM by Carrieyazel
Why did she run in New York after all?? Because she knew she'd lose in those other states that "Democrats have a hard time winning."

And her "argument" is specious at best. What is it that she knows that other victorious Dems around the country don't? If you asked her that specifically, she wouldn't have a clue.

And there are many others who are "still standing" who've been in elective office a lot longer than you have, Hillary. Like the former president, for example.
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 12:56 AM
Response to Original message
12. They literally spent billions of dollars demonizing her
and they got a substantial return on their investment- to the point where, considering her currency with what ought to be her base, it's doubtful whether she's electable.
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aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:00 AM
Response to Reply #12
15. Which is why her high poll numbers are so tough to explain.
My favorite: 80% of Republicans won't vote for Hillary ever. The idea that 20% of Republicans could entertain the idea would put us over the top without bothering the independents. Isn't that a hoot?
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:40 AM
Response to Reply #15
23. and yet she continues to triangulate
and pander to people who won't support her, much as her husband did. Boggles the mind.
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RichGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 08:31 AM
Response to Reply #23
33. Yes...boggles the mind!
Oh...wait a minute...I just remembered...HE WON TWICE!!!!!
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Carrieyazel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:04 AM
Response to Reply #12
18. Exactly. The damage done has been extensive, even if she's "still standing."
Its gotten to the point where she is one of the most disliked political figures of our time. And outside the establishment and Hillaryland, she doesn't have much to fall back on.
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RichGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #12
32. Really....
What did they get for all their demonizing? Did she go into private life never to be heard of again? No...she's out there still standing and going strong.

The fact that so many dems have bought into the demonizing is a sad thing. If the RW and their sleazy methods can turn Democrats agains their own, then is there any hope for us.

Those Democrats on this site who are demonizing Hillary now have not only bought into the RW crap, but they have joined them. She doesn't have to be your choice. You can disagree with her on every point. But, if you are demonizing her you are unknowly a pawn of the RW.
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:53 AM
Response to Reply #32
40. She has extraordinarily high negatives
and those aren't going away. Couple that with lukewarm (at best) support from the base, and it doesn't bode well at all for her- for the party- or for state and local candidates and issues that she'll drag down with her negative coattails.

Not that the Clintons have ever cared about that.... Raw power is all that seems to matter.
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dkf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:15 AM
Response to Original message
19. So that is her accomplishment...that she's survived.
sigh.
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Steely_Dan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:33 AM
Response to Original message
21. I'm all for battling the Republicans...
<Hillary Rodham Clinton maintained Sunday that she's the best candidate to win against Republicans, saying she has more experience battling the GOP than any other candidate in the Democratic field.>

I'm all for battling the Republicans. However, maybe we need someone to bring us together. Someone who can find in Republicans, their better selves.

-P
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AdHocSolver Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:38 AM
Response to Original message
22. Hillary Clinton would lose for the same reasons Kerry lost.
Why is Clinton a bad choice for our party's candidate - let me count the ways.

1. She would NOT have enthusiastic support from all Democrats.

2. She would energize the right wing more than any other Democrat. This could seriously undermine the chances for other Democrats in Congressional and state races.

3. She does not have, nor could she organize, a successful fifty-state strategy to win enough independents and Republicans to win the election. Without the Democratic candidate winning a substantial majority of votes, the Republicans will steal the election in 2008, like they did in 2000 and 2004. (A close vote means a Democratic loss.)

4. Even if by some miracle she got elected, she has already made it clear that her Presidency would be business as usual. No end to the Iraq war. No alteration of the policies implemented by Republicans that have allowed the corporations to rip us off and emasculate the Constitution. In one of the debates, she promised health care reform "by the end of her second term". By the end of her second term! By then she is a lame duck president with little influence, and there will be over 80,000,000 uninsured.

These are the practical reasons why Clinton would be the worst choice for a candidate.
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Sancho Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 06:47 AM
Response to Original message
25. I agree!
The best candidate needs to be prepared for the Gore/Kerry election fraud, Swiftboat attacks, etc. Hillary is the only one with the Clinton family experience to be prepared for the under-the-table fight. Speeches and debates don't matter if you live in a Democratic state with Republican voting machines!

Obama and Edwards have a good message...and no experience to anticipate the tricks and traps.
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Carrieyazel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:29 AM
Response to Reply #25
35. You're assuming that Hillary can avoid the tricks and traps.
Judging by what happened in Philly, she's very capable of screwing it up herself. And she's not the one who won those two national elections in '92 and '96. She doesn't have Bill's political skills; not even close. And she's far more unlikable than he ever was.
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crikkett Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 06:58 AM
Response to Original message
26. Too bad Clinton's strategy for beating republicans at their own game is to become one.
That loses my vote and I really was a big fan until I saw her campaign operate.
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Perry Logan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 07:01 AM
Response to Reply #26
27. Here's Hillary's record. Each of you should highlight the sections that seem "Republican."
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 07:02 AM by Perry Logan
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Education Association 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Children's Defense Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 91 percent in 2006.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 100 percent in 2005

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House).

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 80 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers 84 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 88 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 83 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Committee for an Effective Congress 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 100 percent in 2005.

According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 80 percent of the Senators.

According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on social policy issues than 83 percent of the Senators.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 92 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Bread for the World 100 percent in 2003-2004.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Partnership for the Homeless 100 percent in 2003-2004.
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=WNY99268

She was promoting universal coverage before it was cool. Furthermore she helped to create the SCHIP program. And most importantly she was dead on in the debate the other week where she said political will was the most important thing needed to push health care reform through and we know without a doubt she has that.

She has fougt unrelentingly for a woman's right to choose as well as women's rights both domestically and abroad

Create a Strategic Energy Fund - Hillary has proposed a Strategic Energy Fund that would inject $50 billion into research, development and deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, ethanol and other homegrown biofuels. Hillary's proposal would give oil companies a choice: invest in renewable energy or pay into the fund. Hillary's proposal would also eliminate oil company tax breaks and make sure that oil companies pay their fair share for drilling on public lands. Instead of sending billions of dollars to the Middle East for their oil, Hillary's proposal will create a new clean energy industry in America and create tens of thousands of jobs here.

Champion a Market-Based "Cap and Trade" Approach - Hillary supports a market-based, cap and trade approach to reducing carbon emissions and fight global warming. This approach was used successfully to limit sulfur dioxide and reduce levels of acid rain in the 1990s. By capping the amount of emissions in the environment and allowing corporations to buy and sell permits, this approach offers corporations a flexible, cost-efficient method to do their share to reduce emissions and combat global warming. The program will reduce emissions, drive the development of clean technologies, and create a market for projects that store carbon dioxide.

20% Renewable Electricity Standard by 2020 - Hillary believes we need to shift our reliance on high carbon electricity sources to low-carbon electricity sources by investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. As President, she'll work to require power companies to obtain 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Make Federal Buildings Carbon Neutral - Hillary believes that the federal government should lead the way in reducing carbon emissions from buildings. Buildings account for 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and the federal government owns or leases more than 500,000. Hillary would require all federal buildings to steadily increase the use of green design principles, energy efficient technologies, and to generate energy on-site from solar and other renewable sources. By 2030, all new federal buildings and major renovations would be carbon neutral, helping to fight global warming and cutting the $5.6 billion that the federal government spends each year on heating, cooling and lighting.

Protecting Against Exposure to Toxic Chemicals - Hillary wants to make the products we use safer, especially for children. There are tens of thousands of chemicals used in the U.S. and hundreds of new chemicals introduced each year, but little health testing is conducted for many of them. Hillary would require chemical companies to prove that new chemicals are safe before they are put on the market, and would set more stringent exposure standards for kids. She would also create a "priority list" of existing chemicals and require testing to make sure they are safe. To improve our understanding of the links between chemicals and diseases like cancer, Hillary would create an "environmental health tracking network" that ties together information about pollution and chronic diseases.

Hillary's Record

In the White House, Hillary led efforts to make adoption easier, to expand early learning and child care, to increase funding for breast cancer research, and to help veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome who had too often been ignored in the past. She helped launch a national campaign to prevent teen pregnancy and helped create the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which moved children from foster care to adoption more quickly and the number of children who have moved out of foster care into adoption has increased dramatically.

She was instrumental in designing and championing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has provided millions of children with health insurance. She battled the big drug companies to force them to test their drugs for children and to make sure all kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. Immunization rates dramatically improved after the program launched.

Hillary has been a leading member of the Environment and Public Works Committee since she was elected to the Senate. Today, she chairs the Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee and in that capacity has promoted legislation to evaluate and protect against the impact of environmental pollutants on people's health and clean up toxic waste.

Global warming and Clean Air
Spoken out forcefully about the need to tackle global warming in hearings, speeches, rallies and on the Senate floor and co-sponsored "cap and trade" legislation.
Worked to reduce air pollution that causes asthma and other respiratory diseases by writing and helping to pass new laws to clean up exhaust from school buses, and other diesel-powered equipment.
Supported legislation to reduce pollution from power plants, including harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and carbon dioxide - emissions that contribute to poor air quality, smog, acid rain, global warming, and mercury contamination of fish.
Aggressively fought the Bush Administration's ill-advised attempts to weaken clean air laws.

Improving Water Quality and Protecting Drinking Water
Helped to overturn the Bush Administration's attempt to allow more arsenic in drinking water.
Cosponsored legislation to protect lakes, rivers and coastal waters by fighting the spread of destructive invasive species, such as the zebra mussel.
Helped ot pass new clean water laws, including measures to protect New York City's water supplies and clean up Long Island Sound.

Protecting Public Lands
Fought oil company efforts to pen the Artic Wildlife Refuge in Alask and Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters to drilling.
Cosponsored the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which prohibits road construction and logging in unspoiled, roadless areas of the National Forest System, and voted for additional funding and manpower to combat forest fires in the west.

Reducing Dangerous Chemicals and Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste
Supported legislation to restore the "polluter pays" principle by reinstating a chemical company fee to fund cleanups of highly contaminated "Superfund" waste sites.
Cosponsored the "kids-Safe Chemical Act," which requires chemical companies to provide health and safety before putting new chemicals in consumer products.
Proposed legislation to create an environmental health tracking network to enable us to better understand the impact of environmental hazards on human health and well-being.

Tackling the Toxic Legacy of 9/11
Pushed for health care benefits for first responders, residents and others whose health has been impacted from breathing the toxic dust and smoke in New York City after 9/11.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/8/20/134810/677

Hillary Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a state-level alliance with the Children's Defense Fund, in 1977. In late 1977, President Jimmy Carter (for whom she had done 1976 campaign coordination work in Indiana) appointed her to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation, and she served in that capacity from 1978 through the end of 1981. For much of that time she served as the chair of that board, the first woman to do so. During her time as chair, funding for the Corporation was expanded from $90 million to $300 million, and she successfully battled against President Ronald Reagan's initial attempts to reduce the funding and change the nature of the organization.

Following the November 1978 election of her husband as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton became First Lady of Arkansas in January 1979, her title for a total of twelve years. Bill appointed her chair of the Rural Health Advisory Committee the same year, where she successfully obtained federal funds to expand medical facilities in Arkansas' poorest areas without affecting doctors' fees.

Hillary Clinton chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee from 1982 to 1992, where she sought to bring about reform in the state's court-sanctioned public education system. One of the most important initiatives of the entire Clinton governorship, she fought a prolonged but ultimately successful battle against the Arkansas Education Association to put mandatory teacher testing as well as state standards for curriculum and classroom size in place. She introduced Arkansas' Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth in 1985, a program that helps parents work with their children in preschool preparedness and literacy.

And a bit of stuff from the White House years:

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage. She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare. She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.

The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome. Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage.<124> She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare.<125> She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.<43> The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome.<43> Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice.<43> In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.<43> As First Lady, Clinton hosted numerous White House Conferences, including ones on Child Care (1997),<126> Early Childhood Development and Learning (1997),<127> and Children and Adolescents (2000),<128> and the first-ever White House Conferences on Teenagers (2000)<129> and Philanthropy (1999).<130>

Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton

"...Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries..."

More:
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/israel/index.cfm
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/darfur


The following are polls from progressive groups, rating Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on how often they vote for progressive issues. For each group, http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011142.php

Clinton Vs. Barack Obama (progressivepunch)
Overall Progressive Score: 92% 90%
Aid to Less Advantaged People at Home and Abroad: 98% 97%
Corporate Subsidies 100% N/A
Education, Humanities and the Arts 88% 100%
Environment 92% 100%
Fair Taxation 97% 100%
Family Planning 88% 80%
Government Checks on Corporate Power 95% 97%
Healthcare 98% 94%
Housing 100% 100%
Human Rights & Civil Liberties 82% 77%
Justice for All: Civil and Criminal 94% 91%
Labor Rights 91% 91%
Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful 94% 90%
War and Peace 80% 86%
easures to protect New York City's water supplies and clean up Long Island Sound.
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SIMPLYB1980 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 08:41 AM
Response to Reply #27
34. Nice post.
:toast:
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Evergreen Emerald Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #27
37. this should be its own thread.
Do you mind if I use it every time someone talks about her "republican" ways?
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Tactical Progressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:51 AM
Response to Reply #27
39. crickets
I hear crickets, and it's almost December. How odd is that?
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Triana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 07:54 AM
Response to Original message
28. They're not after her now, they're FOR her.....
...and when / if she gets the nomination -- THEN they'll be after her with a vengeance -- and she'll lose and even if she wins, from what I keep hearing from her (obfuscation after obfuscation) and what I just read about her contributions and support from the health and weapons industries - she's a DINO and likely not much better (if at all) than a Republican - lobbyist lover, big money taker. I don't have confidence that she will suitably represent THE PEOPLE or handle the issues facing us in a sensible manner. NOT when she has that much money coming from lobbyists, industry, corprats, weapons and health insurance/drug companies, etc.

Nope.
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sendero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 08:09 AM
Response to Original message
30. Much to my dismay...
.. as well.

I take some comfort in the latest polls. The more you debate, the more people see you are the prototypical politician, all platitudes, little substance.
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Evergreen Emerald Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:38 AM
Response to Reply #30
38. she is one tough woman. Those naysayers said the same thing about her Senate bid--she proved them
wrong too. Edwards and Obama have never had to sustain the constant barrage of attacks like Clinton has. She is vetted and strong and after everything, still a powerful contender.
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Inuca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 10:20 AM
Response to Reply #38
43. She was NOT vetted by her Senate runs
In both cases, she ran against nobodies that came from nowhere and then sank into oblivion. Had she run against Giuliani, it would have been a different story.
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A Simple Game Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #43
44. If Giuliani had run against Hillary,
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 01:11 PM by A Simple Game
He would not now be running for President. You don't lose a Senate race and then run for President.

The reason Hillary ran against Nobodies is simple, the Somebodies didn't dare run against her. They knew they would lose.

I live in what was formerly a very red area of New York, Hillary won here easily both times and has turned it almost blue.

On edit: added second sentence.
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Inuca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 04:38 PM
Response to Reply #44
49. I agree, Giuliani MAY have lost
but a run against him would have been real vetting. As to the nobodies vs. somebodies, I do not know, were there possible "somebodies" in the wing once Giuliani gave up? Not from what I remember, he also gave up relatively late in the process.
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ChiciB1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #38
48. She Had Chucky Schumer On Her Side With Rahm Emanuel In The Wings!!!
And yes, I do know Emanuel is from IL, but I think he's a DLC whore!! Back then I myself supported her because Moynihan was someone I respected, but I wonder what he would think now. She also had him too. So, between all that support, and her so very charismatic husband why was there any doubt she would win?? Hey New York is very much a Democratic state! Gee, I wish all those New Yorkers who moved down here to Florida would "see the light" but I guess the SUN does get in their eyes!

I rarely rains here anymore!




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SaveElmer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 09:55 AM
Response to Original message
41. Right on the button...
She is by far the best prepared to take on the RW sleaze machine...
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Tactical Progressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 10:14 AM
Response to Original message
42. It's amazing how bad both Publicans and mainstream journo-whores look
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 10:25 AM by Tactical Progressive
as they talk themselves into their anti-Clinton straightjackets, picking at whatever trivia they can to vent their disdain, from her hair to her attire to her clapping to her laughing. Nothing too petty to pick on. No level of feverishness too great to expose themselves.

They ganged up on her at that debate like nothing I've ever seen a front-runner be exposed to. That was their big excuse - that she was the front-runner. There is almost always a front-runner. Have you ever seen anthing like that? Where almost all questions were either gotcha challenges to her or else leading the other debaters into slamming her?

And she has come through undaunted, strong and smart. Even more, it seems to me she makes them look pathetic in their attacks. I honestly think her climb in the polls was in no small measure due to the smallness of the people who go after her.

The more they attack her, the worse they look, and the better she looks. That's what I think is happening to the anti-Clinton slime from both Publicans and the rightwing-promoting 'mainstream' media. America has seen the contrived antagonisms against the Clintons, both Bill and Hill, for the sham that they are, now doubly so with the last eight years of deep and twisted Publican corruption providing even more contrast.

It's more than her just being able to handle it. It's more than just a degree of immunity. It's like it reflects right back on them to alot of people.
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:13 PM
Response to Original message
45. Really - I heard nothing but support for Bush on his terrorism and Iraq war decisions
for Hillary's entire senate career - until Joe Lieberman lost his primary race, Hillary stayed on the same page with him supporting Bush pretty much that entire time.
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rucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:17 PM
Response to Original message
46. They've already tied her hands.
Edited on Mon Nov-26-07 01:20 PM by rucky
She bobs, weaves, ducks and dodges, and has been able to avoid any blows landing on her. But she can't make any substantial campaign promises or plans, because they'll be picked apart by the media, the opposition and within the party. She knows this. It's a conscious strategy. I can't blame her for choosing it.

But how would her presidency be any different? Can she play rope-a-dope for four years? How effective will she be in implementing policy?
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ChiciB1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-26-07 01:33 PM
Response to Original message
47. Say It LOUD Enough & OFTEN Enough... Click Your Heels Together...
and for MOST people who don't BOTHER to investigate any further than what CNN TELLS them, I suppose her strategy "works!" All MOST UN-informed people need to hear over and over is THE NAME of the ANOINTED and they rush to be included so as NOT to look like a LOSER!!

America has become essentially lazy AND lame when it comes to politics!! We are no longer vigilant about our candidates and even less vigilant about VOTING FRAUD!!

I live in Florida and other than blogging here (less and less) I sometimes wonder just how much more minimized we will become!! AND, before you start giving me advice on WHAT I can do locally or what activities I can involve myself in, I've spent YEARS being the "good activist" and have decided that my involvement of late has made NO difference!

I will work for only ONE candidate this time out and I will do my very best because I believe in him. I have little "hope" but I can still "wish" for a little while longer.


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