2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: On what issue is Hillary better than Bernie? [View all]BainsBane
(53,031 posts)She issued a strong statement in defense of Planned Parenthood soon after the controversy broke. She was clear she saw the attacks on them as an attack on women's reproductive rights.
She has been a strong advocate for women's issues her entire political career. She does not see them as secondary to class, though she has also addressed the great problems of wealth inequality and poverty in this country.
As Secretary of State, she elevated the issue of human trafficking to a key area of focus.
Sanders is good on advancing economic interests of women, but he does not as forcefully champion reproductive rights and other issues involving sexism and misogyny. He was not forceful like Clinton in defending PP. He spoke before a group of firefights and said "we can agree to disagree on abortion" but what matters is your children's education. I don't dispute the importance of their children's education. However, I want a president who does not hedge on my basic civil rights. If Clinton had the courage to make clear she would be an unwaivering advocate for reproductive rights around the globe as SoS in her confirmation hearing, where GOP Senators had the power to filibuster her nomination, Sanders could speak up before a group of firefighters.
He chose not to. As well meaning as he is, he doesn't know what it's live to a woman or a person of color, and his central focus on class has the effect of eclipsing issues important to key Democratic constituencies.