Can someone define Hillary's "experience"?

[kentuck]

She was the wife of a President for 8 years. So was Laura Bush. Does that alone make either of them qualified for higher office? She was put in charge of the healthcare reform plan but it failed miserably. What else was she in charge of? Did she attend any NSA meetings? Did she have a security clearance?

She did visit 80 countries, she says. Did she negotiate any treaties? Or were they simply "good-will" tours? Is it fair to ask these questions?

[harun]

1. Her experience is her time in the U.S. Senate

[Kittycat]

3. Great - so Obama actually beats her in legislative experience.

That's what I thought, but with all the spinning...

[harun]

27. That's the way I see it. Don't know why she is trying to tote experience

when he has more.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Exactly, which is why probably why she endorsed McPain over Obama.

[Kittycat]

2. I know with all certainty the answer to these two questions...

NO.
Did she attend any NSA meetings? Did she have a security clearance?

[Muttocracy]

4. Here's the NYTimes article on her time as pres. spouse:

The Résumé Factor: Those 2 Terms as First Lady
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/us/politics/26clinton.html

I was naive enough to think this would help my favorite (truly experienced) candidates in Iowa by neutralizing her experience argument. Oh well.

[Armstead]

5. How dare you!

Don't ask questions. Shut up and get into line.

:hi:

[kentuck]

6. Sorry Armstead.

I've been told that I am a master of the obvious. :-)

[shraby]

20. I think she learned to run the Xerox machine in

her office.

[Mooney]

7. Ken Starr! n/t

[Jersey Devil]

8. Hill and Pickles, both held numerous teas for wives of foreign dignitaries

Therefore both Hillary and Pickles have extensive foreign policy experience and should be their respective party nominees for president.

[JimGinPA]

9. HRC Supporters Here Will Not Address This...

I've brought it up a number of times. Their only interest is that "she's a fighter" & "gorgeous".

[TwilightGardener]

19. And that she's a martyr.

[Mz Pip]

10. She's older than

Obama, therefore she has more experience. :eyes:

[jobycom]

11. She was a top advisor of Bill's as governor and president.

She had an office in the west wing, and was considered by the whole administration as Bill's vizier, basically. In that capacity, she was involved in almost every decision made during the years he was an executive. That's her executive experience. Read any decent, objective account of her life to see how often she was promoted to leadership roles in every organization she joined, even before she met Bill.

I've noticed that's Obama's new tactic. I'd advise him to not do it. He's managed to maintain the illusion that he's been the high road candidate so far, but if his attacks on her become more direct, he'll lose some of his mystique. He's got such a strong lead, he should keep plugging away at his message of hope with his below the board attacks on Clinton. He might hit the convention with a little less momentum, but he won't actively be sinking himself. If he starts attacking her, and she can defend herself, he could start blowing holes in his own ship.

Then again, I'm for Clinton, so I guess I hope Obama does take this more aggressive approach. That's why Clinton's been attacking him in the first place--to draw him out of his keep, so she can get some shots at him. Looks like he's about to open the doors and ride out. He might win, but then again, it's the only way he can lose, too.

[thevoiceofreason]

12. BUT SHE HAD NO SECURITY CLEARANCE AS FIRST LADY

Unless they broke the law.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Having an office means nothing. What, specifically, is on her resume during those years?

I can say I did all sorts of shit. But then I have to prove it.

edit to add: I'm the "top advisor" to my husband. I suppose that means I can fly on his plane and work with the rest of the aircrew, right?

[truebrit71]

22. So she directed military ops with the joint chiefs?

Ummm, how about NO....

She is no more ready than anyone that has read a Tom Clancy novel...

[malik flavors]

23. She had an Office, and gave advice? Every first lady has an office and gives advice.

That really doesn't mean a whole lot. I've got an office here at my job, and I give advice occasionally, but I sure as hell couldn't do my bosses job. Hell, I hardly even know what he does in there.

Why does Hillary have what it takes to be commander in cheif? becasue she poses on stage with a bunch of generals. That's why...apparently. Why is she ready to be president? Because her husband was. That's why...apparently. People try to say Obama is pulling the wool over the eyes of America and is all talk, but if you ask me Hillary's been the real master of deception.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

28. If she had such a close advisory role.

Then how the hell was Bill able to schtup an intern right under her nose? :shrug:

[OhioBlue]

13. Hey I think Madonna visited 80 countries. n/t

[truebrit71]

14. She lived in the WH at the same time as her husband...

That gives her tons of experience at how to jiggle the handle in the upstairs bathroom in the residence if the toilet won't stop running...and bugger all else...

Her ONE major policy plan failed to get off the ground, but succeeded in mobilizing the right-wing enough to take over Congress and screw this country over forever...

She visited 80 countries, so what? Hell I've visited 15 countries does that make ME a foreign policy expert too? Hardly.

Her claim is specious and collapses upon deeper inspection...

Ready on day one to be commander-in-chief?

Really? When was the last time she was involved in direct military operations? How about fucking NEVER.

She admits to NEVER having read the NIE before casting the IWR vote...is THAT the sort of experience we need in the Oval Office?

She's a benzidrine puff adder making herself up to be something she isn't...

In other words she is no more qualified than her Democratic opponent...

But being Hillary she won't let a little thing like the truth get in the way of a good soundbite...just like her old man...

[Vinca]

15. Why do you think the First Lady papers are under wraps?

If a qualification for POTUS is selecting china patterns, planning state dinners and decorating large Christmas trees, Hillary is the candidate for you. (P.S. She can get a deal on the decorations from Walmart.)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. You would think Hillary would release her WH records to show how may terrorists plots she defused.

[TwilightGardener]

16. Angelina Jolie is about equal to Hillary in visiting countries. Guess she's

a foreign policy expert too.

[Justitia]

18. Her "experience" includes 1000 scandals, lies, impeachment & 4000+ war dead. -eom

[TwilightGardener]

21. This whole persona of her as experienced is a total myth, but the media buys and sells it.

[dajoki]

24. Comparing her to Pickles...

doesn't cut it. Hillary has been involved in politics one way or the other for over 40 years. Being First Lady does NOT make her qualified to be President. But I think she did good work on healthcare reform, but with Newt and the Repub Congress, it never had a chance. However, her years in the Senate has given her some valuable experience.

[theboss]

25. She had a Dem Congress that killed healthcare reform

I've noticed that this has become part of her mythology as well lately. Foley killed it. Not Newt.

[dajoki]

26. Yes, but...

It was not completely killed until Newt took over.

[lmbradford]

31. except that...

the congress was democratic not republican. How can someone not be able to pass health care with her husband as president and a democratic congress? I understand it's because of the "closed door" dealings and negotiations and trying to strong arm other dems into it that ultimately lost it for her.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. Experience is highly overrated. LBJ was "experienced" and he gave us Vietnam.

Except he wanted to show that he was "tough" on Communism and Hillary wants to show that she's "tough" on "terrorism".

Not to mention that other "experienced" guy named Nixon.