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lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 05:32 PM Nov 2016

Hillary Clinton Op-Ed for USA Today: I'll look for common ground

Why you should vote for me. In January, America is going to have a new president. Things are going to change — that much is certain. The question is, what kind of change are we going to have? We can build an economy that works for everyone, or stack the deck even more for those at the top. We can keep America safe through strength and smarts — or turn our backs on our allies, and cozy up to our adversaries. We can come together to build a stronger, fairer America, or fear the future and fear each other. Everything I’ve done, as first lady, senator, or secretary of State, I’ve done by listening to people and looking for common ground, even with people who disagree with me. And if you elect me on Tuesday, that’s the kind of president I’ll be. Here are four priorities for my first 100 days — issues I’ve heard about from Americans all over our country.

First, we will put forward the biggest investment in new jobs since World War II. We’ll invest in infrastructure and manufacturing to grow our economy for years to come. We’ll produce enough renewable energy to power every home in America within a decade. We’ll cut red tape for small businesses and make it easier for entrepreneurs to get the credit they need to grow and hire — because in America, if you can dream it, you should be able to build it. We’ll pay for it all by asking the wealthy, Wall Street and big corporations to finally pay their fair share. And this commitment will go far beyond the first 100 days. Creating more good jobs with rising incomes will be a central mission of my presidency.

Second, we will introduce comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The last president to sign comprehensive immigration reform was Ronald Reagan, and it was a priority for George W. Bush. I’m confident that we can work across the aisle to pass comprehensive reform that keeps families together and creates a path to citizenship, secures our border, and focuses our enforcement resources on violent criminals. This is the right thing to do, and it will also grow our economy.

Third, to break the gridlock in Washington, we need to get secret, unaccountable money out of our politics. It’s drowning out the voices of the American people. So within my first 30 days, I will introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. We should be protecting citizens’ rights to vote, not corporations’ rights to buy elections.

Fourth, we need to get started on end-to-end criminal justice reform. Too many people have been sent away for far too long for non-violent offenses. I believe our country will be stronger and safer when everyone has respect for the law and everyone is respected by the law.

There’s so much more we need to do together, and we certainly won’t get it all done in the first 100 days. But we’re going to roll up our sleeves and get to work for American families — and I’ll never, ever quit. I want to be president for all Americans — Democrats, Republicans and independents; Americans of every race, faith and background. My opponent has run his campaign on divisiveness, fear and insults, and spent months pitting Americans against each other. I’ve said many times that Donald Trump has shown us who he is. Now we have to decide who we are. Because it’s not just our names on the ballot this year. Every issue we care about is on the ballot, too. This is about who we are as a country — and whether we are going to have change that makes us stronger together, or change that pushes us further apart. It all comes down to this. I love our country. I believe in our people. And I think there’s nothing we can’t achieve if we work together and invest in each other.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/11/06/hillary-clinton-vote--for-me-election-day-column/93400038/

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Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
3. We can't really get deep into discussion about how we feel about
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 06:04 PM
Nov 2016

the strategy of reaching across the aisle to appease the uncompromising ranks that support the racist agenda, until after the election.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
14. Sanders is quick to criticize Republicans. He doesn't hold back when he feels they have it coming to
Tue Nov 22, 2016, 07:20 PM
Nov 2016

them. He is starting from a position of strength. I'm willing to see where he takes it next. In other words, his outreach program does not have the history of capitulation that neo-liberals were known for.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
15. I don't agree with starting from a position of strength...
Tue Nov 22, 2016, 08:06 PM
Nov 2016

And I see him criticizing Dems a lot more, but that's likely what they choose to push in the media.

Don't like him suddenly giving Trump any legitimacy, to be honest. I feel like I am seeing him capitulate.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
2. Those who work most closely with her have the most enthusiastic praise
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 05:48 PM
Nov 2016

for her demeanor and track record. For example, President Obama says she is so professional and always considers how her actions will improve things for the most people.

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
4. She has to try
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 06:29 PM
Nov 2016

But really, she knows as well as anyone that the GOP won't "willingly" work with her. She'll either have to do the whole "triangulation" thing again, or she'll have to play some seriously hard ball with them. It has been suggested that she take things "to the people" and try to get their support. But by her own admission, that's not her strength. And Trump has so poisoned the well, she could raise the dead and cure the sick and a significant portion of the Trump crowd still wouldn't support anything she did.

And really, I think she knows that from day one the GOP is going to see her as vulnerable and go after her even harder that they did Obama. She'll have a tough midterm and a difficult re-election. Sadly, probably what she needs is a true "crisis" about which she can rally Americans. But one hates to hope for such a thing. We'll probably have to accept that she'll only accomplish what she can and that she'll have to expend a significant amount of energy defending her administration from the GOP.

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
7. I don't think it will be easy for her, but I think you're overestimating republicans....
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 06:41 PM
Nov 2016

...and underestimating both her and other democrats that will be voted in with her. FIRST unlike Obama when he first took office, she's had 25 years dealing with Republican underhandedness, dirty tricks, badgering and obstructionism. This isn't her first rodeo. The GOP hit her with their their hardest and punches this election--before it and during it. She didn't fold or break. She brushed them off!

Second, it's going to be very clear to republicans that the American people are sick and tired of their obstructionism and shennagans. Many republicans are on the ropes. Their members are being investigated, and/or voted out. Republicans may finally realize that they'd better play nice if they want to survive--which is pretty much what Hillary is saying. "Play sane and nice, and we'll get along."

Third, WHEN democrats have the senate it's going to be a lot harder for republicans to pull this crap. It's a whole lot easier when you own both houses--that's how they could bully Obama (who also didn't fold). He didn't have that branch on his side. Hillary will have at least the Senate. So. Is she in for a fight? Yes. But clearly, she relishes that. You don't. I don't. Most of us don't. But we're not Hillary. She does or she'd have been out of politics back during the Clinton years--not coming back for more as a Senator and a Secretary of State. And this time, unlike all those 25 years...she'll be armed. If she was able to fight so well unarmed for 25 years, imagine what she'll be like with actual power....

Don't underestimate her, and don't overestimate them. They've gotten stupid, sloppy and soft with power. With easy wins. She's in trim fighting shape, hard as nails, and with a brain trust that can out think and maneuver them all. Either they'll wise up and place nice, or they'll get the crap beaten out of them.

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
8. So you're going with the "hard ball" approach
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 09:55 PM
Nov 2016

I don't think she has much choice. But it will make for a long 4 years.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
9. Long four years
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 12:16 AM
Nov 2016

yes. A lot can get accomplished though, with a majority or even close to a majority in the Senate & House. Especially if democrats get out the vote in the midterms too!

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
12. I am with the hard ball approach—and I think it will make those 8 years fly by....
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:13 AM
Nov 2016

...Obama couldn't hit hard as he wished because he had so little back up. With a democratic senate, with Warren and Bernie in her corner, with Bill at her side and Democratic voters feeling empowered and not willing to be bullied or take anything lying down....Hillary can knock out most of those who stand in her way. And then she'll walk over them to get down what she need and wants to get done.

But, hey, if you think the upcoming fights are too excruciating to watch, you don't have to watch. Cover your eyes for the next 8 years (yes, 8. I'm optimistic of her going that distance). I, myself, am going to be watching for sure. I wouldn't miss her knocking out these opponents for all the world.

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
5. Way more succinct and clear than the Trump, and more likely to be retained by the reader....
Mon Nov 7, 2016, 06:32 PM
Nov 2016

...Reading is different than "hearing" and when you read you retain information differently. Hillary knows how to write an essay so that information gets retained--you go from general to specifics, not from specifics to...well specific after scare tactic specific mixed in with what you'll do specifics, all jumbled together as in Trump's. Meaning, if you ask someone who read it to repeat back what they read, the Trump essay person might be able to say one or two things (like 550% refugees and Hillary being investigated for a long time), but not much else. With Hillary's they'd likely be able to remember all four key points. I notice also that she doesn't call any one names, doesn't accuse her opponent of being a criminal or crooked or lying...she wisely puts herself forward.

Trump's essay has a slew of promises (again, unwisely mixed in with the scare tactics), but you don't get any sense, job-interview-wise, how he'd do the job.

In good essay form, Hillary shows right away how she'd do the job by creating a brief, clear list of priorities, starting with the REAL biggest concern of voters--which isn't Obamacare, but the economy. She lays out the details, briefly--so no one loses interest or gets confused, sticking only with that topic for that paragraph. That's a message to just about everyone, everywhere. There will be jobs, money and better times.

Next paragraph, the worries over immigration from both sides. Those who fear immigrant, and those who were, themselves, immigrants and who want more of their family accepted in the U.S. She wisely brings in Republican presidents who dealt with this, thus assuaging Republicans who don't like Trump but are worried about voting for her. She's going to be "conservative-but-sane" about it.

Then she hits on Citizen's united, which she rightly knows almost no voters like, and everyone would be glad to see that go. That's back from the specific worries of one group to the big worries of almost everyone. BUT it also addresses progressive Bernie voters, who might be thinking of voting third party. She will take care of this.

And last she reaffirms her commitment to Black voters that she isn't going to forget about them and their support.

Of course, this essay won't change any Trump voter's mind. Nor is it likely to make a lukewarm Hillary voter excited about her. It's not an exciting piece, but it has a "calm down, I've got this..." quality. Not Obama "chill" but, Hillary's competent, "Let me worry about this." For voters intending to vote for Hillary who still have qualms, and who read this (probably far and few), it will make them feel "Yes. This is the right decision."

Conclusion: if the reader is in that situation, it's exactly right. The lukewarm or tepid voter wants to hear that Hillary is going to get things organized, on track, and working, that they won't have to worry they voted wrong if they vote for her. This essay assures them of that.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
10. Excellent analysis Moonwalk.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 12:17 AM
Nov 2016

Interesting too that Hillary talks primarily about specifics that she'll help accomplish that help the most of us. Trump blathers on with no specifics but we know his policies will only help the ultra-rich and big corporations.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
11. I like her four main priorities:
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 12:33 AM
Nov 2016

Big investment in new jobs.

Comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

Get secret, unaccountable money out of our politics.

End-to-end criminal justice reform.

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