Hillary, listen to Jon Stewart!
On Monday’s edition of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart commented on Hillary Clinton’s current campaign slogan: “Let the conversation begin!”:
I agree, from my own experience with my campaign last year. While in fact, politicians do need to listen to and talk with their constituents, that’s not something that strikes an inspirational chord with voters. And I found it’s not possible for one person to talk with 300,000 citizens during a City Council campaign, let alone with 130+ million voters across the United States. Offering a “conversation” doesn’t work for me, let alone for process-avoidant males.
I used to be a big Hillary supporter. I became a US citizen in September 1992 partly because Measure 5 passed narrowly, and I wished I’d been able to vote against it; and partly to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s husband. Even then, I considered her the brighter, better half of their partnership. I dragged my children to Pioneer Courthouse Square, sitting baking in the hot sun for hours, to hear her speak during the campaign to provide health care coverage to all Americans. And I saluted her courage in staying with Bill after Monica-gate, when it would have been far easier and more understandable for her to have ditched him. I supported her Senate campaign, and was happy she won.
Like many, I’ve been disappointed with Hillary’s performance as US Senator, especially with her lack of leadership on the Iraq war. But I think my frustration is partly the result of unrealistic expectations, hoping that the former First Lady would be able to do more in her first term as the junior Senator from New York — and a female junior Senator at that. My current frontrunners for the Democratic nomination are Barack Obama and John Edwards. We are hearing Obama and Edwards lack experience, while Hillary is criticized for a host of things other than that. Let me tell you, pundits, keep up the comments on her hair, wardrobe, husband, and style, and I might have to vote for her purely on the principle of affirmative action.
Can we talk – about the candidates’ platforms?