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Onlooker

(5,636 posts)
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 03:55 AM Oct 2015

Both front runners in the Democratic Party are great, but for very different reasons

I admit, though I support Bernie, as in 2008 when I supported Obama, I also like Hillary. Why? Because I believe that sexism is still rampant in this country and Hillary Clinton is one of those rare women in the political sphere who symbolizes the strength of women. By the right, she's been attacked for her looks, the tone of her voice, matters she had no control over, her role as First Lady, and even her choice to stay with her husband. She has withstood every attack thrown at her, showing awesome fortitude in the abusive 11 hour Benghazi interrogation. She is courageous. She is the toughest politician running for President.

But, the fact remains that she's a politician. Her views change with each opportunity. The good thing about that is that Sanders has had no problem pushing her to the left; the bad thing about that is that other events could easily push her to the right. If she runs against Trump, will black lives still matter? Will her opposition to TPP remain strong? Will she continue to oppose the Keystone pipeline? Will she remain less hawkish? My guess is it all depends how much wiggle room she gave herself, since like her husband she is master at finding ambiguity in the phrase.

So, in the end, Bernie Sanders is the most principled of candidates, a true social Democrat through thick and thin. We know what he believes, and we know he won't sway with the political mood of the country. He would be a great president.

That said, in the end, we can't lose sight of what Hillary as a woman represents. I think the reason she has considerable support in the gay and the black communities is that she has made it to the political heights of a white male dominated establishment. I live in Massachusetts, and it's worth noting that in 1966 this state became first to popularly elect a black Senator (Edward Brooks, a liberal Republican), but it was not until 2012 that this liberal state elected a woman to a top political position (Elizabeth Warren, of course). Blacks, gays, women, and other minorities have been subject to extreme abuses in our history, sometimes codified and at other times enculturated. Like minorities, women have had a difficult time gaining power in our society. Just as there is institutional racism and homophobia, there is also institutional sexism.

So, while I support Bernie, I truly believe that if he does not get the nomination, Hillary is a good alternative, not because of her political record, which is that of a moderate Democrat, but because as we open the doors for women and minorities, it means that more of them will go through those doors, and in general they tend to be far more progressive than straight white males.

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Both front runners in the Democratic Party are great, but for very different reasons (Original Post) Onlooker Oct 2015 OP
Both front-runners? NanceGreggs Oct 2015 #1
Wow. Someone says something nice about your candidate and all you give them is invective. Scootaloo Oct 2015 #2
As their candidate goes so go they JackInGreen Oct 2015 #4
It is now "invective" ... NanceGreggs Oct 2015 #8
I tend to agree. Nt F4lconF16 Oct 2015 #3
Excellent post! secondwind Oct 2015 #5
K&R! I'm utterly sickened by the needless vitriol going on riderinthestorm Oct 2015 #6
I can't agree about Hillary. Her policies stink and her chances of winning a GE are dismal. Scuba Oct 2015 #7

NanceGreggs

(27,813 posts)
8. It is now "invective" ...
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 03:40 PM
Oct 2015

... to point out the obvious fact that BS is far behind HRC in the polls - and is therefore nowhere near being a "front-runner"?

If stating facts upsets you, it's time to grow a thicker skin.

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