Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic Party's nomination as their candidate for president, a historic moment in American history. "When there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit," she promised convention delegates. Her speech reflected the party's progressive platform in an effort to rally her base, but it offered little for Republicans uneasy about Donald Trump.
This was arguably the most important speech of Clinton's political career. She has been plagued by concerns about her trustworthiness, and had overcome a difficult primary challenge from Senator Bernie Sanders, whose loyal delegates still had to be convinced about her candidacy.
Speaking directly to Sanders' supporters, Clinton said, "Our country needs your ideas, your energy, and passion. That's the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America," she said. "We wrote it together -- now let's go out there and make it happen together."
Referencing the courage of the Founding Fathers in standing up to a king, she said, "America is once again at a moment of reckoning." She then asked for unity, "We have to decide whether we all will work together so we all can rise together." The theme of her campaign is "Stronger Together" and much of her speech carried that message, which she described as a guiding principle for the country.
Clinton's speech was filled with attacks on Donald Trump. "He's taken the Republican Party a long way from "Morning in America" to "Midnight in America," she said. "He wants us to fear the future and fear each other." She asserted that, "We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against...but we are not afraid." She continued, "We will not build a wall. Instead, we will build an economy where everyone who wants a good paying job can get one." She called for a clear path to citizenship for immigrants, and said she would not ban a religion.
"Don't let anyone tell you our country is weak. We're not," she proclaimed. "And most of all, don't believe anyone who says, 'I alone can fix it," she said referring to Trump's claim in his acceptance speech a week earlier. "Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again-- well, he could start by actually making things in America again," she said of Trump's off shore manufacturers.
Clinton attacked Trump's lack of temperament and experience. "Imagine, if you dare imagine--imagine him in the Oval Office facing a real crisis. A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons."
Clinton, who was affectionately introduced by her daughter Chelsea, talked about her upbringing, her family and her career. It was part of an effort to re-introduce herself as genuine, authentic and a person committed to service. President Bill Clinton, who was at times emotional, watched his wife from the seats below the stage.
Hillary Clinton covered many of the issues important to progressives. She called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizen's United, expansion of voting rights, comprehensive immigration reform, Wall Street reform, equal pay, expanded social security and health care, and she declared climate change is real. Declaring that Donald Trump is in the pocket of the gun lobby, she said she would not repeal the Second Amendment, but would enact common-sense gun reforms.
Clinton's speech came on the final night of a convention that had heard from many impressive speakers over the course of the week. Perhaps the most powerful moment in Thursday night's program was provided by the father of Captain Humayun Khan, a Muslim American soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2004. "Have you read the Constitution?" Khizr Khan asked Trump while pulling a copy out of his suit pocket. "Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave Americans who died defending the United States of America." he said. "You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing."
In contrast, Hillary Clinton's speech was not powerful, it was not soaring, it was not inspirational. It certainly did nothing to excite Republicans, and it failed to convert Hillary haters to her campaign. While she is the first woman to be nominated by a major party as their candidate for president, her speech will not standout in history.
Clinton will almost certainly get a bump in the polls because of the highly polished Democratic Convention. But she will have a fight to the finish in November against a flawed candidate who is promising change and that he alone can fix everything.
Showing posts with label Bernie Sanders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bernie Sanders. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2016
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
The Democratic Convention Opens
The opening night of the Democratic Convention was emotional and raucous. It reflected a hard fought primary campaign between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Many Sanders' supporters were fighting mad as a result of the release of emails by Wikileaks which showed that the Democratic National Committee was working against their candidate. The resignation of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the DNC chairperson, did little to quell Sanders' supporters. As a result, they made their voices heard throughout the proceedings. So much so that comedian Sarah Silverman, who had been a devoted Sanders supporter but now endorses Clinton, admonished them from the dais. "Can I say to the Bernie-or-bust people," she said, "you're being ridiculous!"
Democrats had hoped to exhibit a unified party to the millions of viewers watching the convention on television, which is taking place in Philadelphia. But Sanders led a massive and passionately loyal movement that garnered nearly 45% of the delegates. While polls show that 90% of Sanders' supporters will vote for Clinton, it was still hard for his delegates to accept they had lost.
In contrast to the dark and disjointed Republican Convention a week earlier, the Democrats wanted to present a united front and a progressive vision for the future. They did so with a powerful and diverse array of prime time speakers. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker railed against complacency and cynicism. He attacked Donald Trump, saying, "When Trump spews insults and demeaning words about our fellow Americans, I think of the poem by Maya Angelou. You know it begins: 'You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies/You may trod me in the very dirt/But still, like dust, I'll rise.'" He concluded, "With Hillary Clinton as our president, America, we will rise."
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the speech by First Lady Michelle Obama, whose impassioned remarks quieted even the most ardent Sanders' supporters. "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves," she said. "And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters--and all our sons and daughters--now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States." She then directed her remarks to Trump. "So don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this, right now, is the greatest country on earth."
Senator Elizabeth Warren, beloved by progressive Democrats, attacked what she called the "great Trump hot-air machine." She charged, "Donald Trump goes on and on about being a successful businessman but he file for bankruptcy six times, always to protect his own money and stick investors and contractors with the bill." She added, "So what kind of man acts like this? What kind of man roots for an economic crash that caused millions of people their jobs, their homes, their life savings?" She continued, "I'll tell you what kind of a man--a man who must never be president of the United States. And for one low, low price, he'll throw in a goofy hat."
But this was to be Bernie Sanders' night whose appearance brought the house down. "I think it's fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am," he said speaking of his primary defeat. "But to all of our supporters--here and around the country--I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved," he said as many of his delegates watched with tears in their eyes. Sanders detailed the party's platform, which now reflects many of his progressive positions. He then forcefully concluded, "Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her tonight."
Even with the rocky start, the Democratic Convention offered a more positive outlook for the country. Perhaps time will heal all wounds for even the most ardent Sanders supporters. And maybe the thought of a Trump presidency will help convert them. But uniting the party will take more than a great convention week and an opponent who plays on hate and fear.
Even with Monday evening's impressive endorsements, Hillary Clinton has a lot of work to do to overcome questions about her trustworthiness.
Many Sanders' supporters were fighting mad as a result of the release of emails by Wikileaks which showed that the Democratic National Committee was working against their candidate. The resignation of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the DNC chairperson, did little to quell Sanders' supporters. As a result, they made their voices heard throughout the proceedings. So much so that comedian Sarah Silverman, who had been a devoted Sanders supporter but now endorses Clinton, admonished them from the dais. "Can I say to the Bernie-or-bust people," she said, "you're being ridiculous!"
Democrats had hoped to exhibit a unified party to the millions of viewers watching the convention on television, which is taking place in Philadelphia. But Sanders led a massive and passionately loyal movement that garnered nearly 45% of the delegates. While polls show that 90% of Sanders' supporters will vote for Clinton, it was still hard for his delegates to accept they had lost.
In contrast to the dark and disjointed Republican Convention a week earlier, the Democrats wanted to present a united front and a progressive vision for the future. They did so with a powerful and diverse array of prime time speakers. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker railed against complacency and cynicism. He attacked Donald Trump, saying, "When Trump spews insults and demeaning words about our fellow Americans, I think of the poem by Maya Angelou. You know it begins: 'You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies/You may trod me in the very dirt/But still, like dust, I'll rise.'" He concluded, "With Hillary Clinton as our president, America, we will rise."
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the speech by First Lady Michelle Obama, whose impassioned remarks quieted even the most ardent Sanders' supporters. "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves," she said. "And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters--and all our sons and daughters--now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States." She then directed her remarks to Trump. "So don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this, right now, is the greatest country on earth."
Senator Elizabeth Warren, beloved by progressive Democrats, attacked what she called the "great Trump hot-air machine." She charged, "Donald Trump goes on and on about being a successful businessman but he file for bankruptcy six times, always to protect his own money and stick investors and contractors with the bill." She added, "So what kind of man acts like this? What kind of man roots for an economic crash that caused millions of people their jobs, their homes, their life savings?" She continued, "I'll tell you what kind of a man--a man who must never be president of the United States. And for one low, low price, he'll throw in a goofy hat."
But this was to be Bernie Sanders' night whose appearance brought the house down. "I think it's fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am," he said speaking of his primary defeat. "But to all of our supporters--here and around the country--I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved," he said as many of his delegates watched with tears in their eyes. Sanders detailed the party's platform, which now reflects many of his progressive positions. He then forcefully concluded, "Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her tonight."
Even with the rocky start, the Democratic Convention offered a more positive outlook for the country. Perhaps time will heal all wounds for even the most ardent Sanders supporters. And maybe the thought of a Trump presidency will help convert them. But uniting the party will take more than a great convention week and an opponent who plays on hate and fear.
Even with Monday evening's impressive endorsements, Hillary Clinton has a lot of work to do to overcome questions about her trustworthiness.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Clinton v. Trump
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made history on Tuesday when she won enough delegates to secure the Democratic Party's nomination for president. "Thanks to you, we have reached a milestone," she told thousands of wildly enthusiastic supports in Brooklyn Tuesday evening. "The first time in our nation's history that a woman will be a major party's nominee," she said to a thundering ovation.
Clinton's received her supporter's adulation with warmth, emotion and authenticity. Like a great marathoner, she had crossed the finish line first following a difficult and challenging race. She had her mojo back; she was poised and confident in demeanor, expressing gratitude to her supporters, and graciously reaching out to her competitor, Senator Bernie Sanders.
"I want to congratulate Senator Sanders for the extraordinary campaign he has run," she said. "The vigorous debate that we have had about how to raise incomes, reduce inequality, increase upward mobility, have all been good for the Democratic Party and for America," she added. With her decisive victory in California and several other states, Clinton dashed the dim fire of hope that Sanders' supporters had going into Tuesday.
Telling her supporters that the stakes in this coming presidential election are high, she attacked the presumptive Republican nominee. "Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit to be commander and chief," she declared with resolve. She said Trump wants to win by "stoking fear and rubbing salt in wounds." She cited Trump's attacks on a federal judge, born in Indiana of Mexican heritage, immigrants, a reporter with disabilities, women, Muslims, and the press, saying, "It goes against everything we stand for." And in a play on Trump's campaign motto, she said firmly, "When he says 'Let's make American great again,' that is code for let's take America backwards. Back to a time when opportunity and dignity were reserved for some not all."
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, at the Trump National Golf Club in suburban New York City, Trump addressed supporters in an attempt to calm the waters that have roiled his campaign this past week. Reading a well-prepared script from TelePrompTer, something he has criticized Clinton for doing, Trump carefully read words meant to assure his party's restless leaders. "I understand the responsibility of carrying the mantle, I will never let you down," he asserted. Trump has received growing criticism from GOP leaders for the very things Clinton cited in her later speech. He was unapologetic, instead announcing he would soon give a major speech attacking the Clintons, noting, "Hillary Clinton turned the State Department into her private hedge fund."
Both candidates have many challenges ahead. Clinton has to consolidate her party to bring disappointed Sanders' supporters into the fold, which will be no easy task. She also faces an FBI investigation around her private email server, which will continue on for many weeks. Trump must apologize for his many insensitive and racist remarks, and prove that he is presidential. But can the pugnacious fighter, who has won his party's mantle by swinging freely from hips, campaign "on message?" Will an apology from Trump make up for his ill-tempered remarks?
This has already been an historic presidential campaign; the first woman presidential nominee is facing a real estate developer with no political experience. On Tuesday it appeared that these two campaigns were headed in different directions. But this election has so far demonstrated that anything can happen. Hang on.
Clinton's received her supporter's adulation with warmth, emotion and authenticity. Like a great marathoner, she had crossed the finish line first following a difficult and challenging race. She had her mojo back; she was poised and confident in demeanor, expressing gratitude to her supporters, and graciously reaching out to her competitor, Senator Bernie Sanders.
"I want to congratulate Senator Sanders for the extraordinary campaign he has run," she said. "The vigorous debate that we have had about how to raise incomes, reduce inequality, increase upward mobility, have all been good for the Democratic Party and for America," she added. With her decisive victory in California and several other states, Clinton dashed the dim fire of hope that Sanders' supporters had going into Tuesday.
Telling her supporters that the stakes in this coming presidential election are high, she attacked the presumptive Republican nominee. "Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit to be commander and chief," she declared with resolve. She said Trump wants to win by "stoking fear and rubbing salt in wounds." She cited Trump's attacks on a federal judge, born in Indiana of Mexican heritage, immigrants, a reporter with disabilities, women, Muslims, and the press, saying, "It goes against everything we stand for." And in a play on Trump's campaign motto, she said firmly, "When he says 'Let's make American great again,' that is code for let's take America backwards. Back to a time when opportunity and dignity were reserved for some not all."
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, at the Trump National Golf Club in suburban New York City, Trump addressed supporters in an attempt to calm the waters that have roiled his campaign this past week. Reading a well-prepared script from TelePrompTer, something he has criticized Clinton for doing, Trump carefully read words meant to assure his party's restless leaders. "I understand the responsibility of carrying the mantle, I will never let you down," he asserted. Trump has received growing criticism from GOP leaders for the very things Clinton cited in her later speech. He was unapologetic, instead announcing he would soon give a major speech attacking the Clintons, noting, "Hillary Clinton turned the State Department into her private hedge fund."
Both candidates have many challenges ahead. Clinton has to consolidate her party to bring disappointed Sanders' supporters into the fold, which will be no easy task. She also faces an FBI investigation around her private email server, which will continue on for many weeks. Trump must apologize for his many insensitive and racist remarks, and prove that he is presidential. But can the pugnacious fighter, who has won his party's mantle by swinging freely from hips, campaign "on message?" Will an apology from Trump make up for his ill-tempered remarks?
This has already been an historic presidential campaign; the first woman presidential nominee is facing a real estate developer with no political experience. On Tuesday it appeared that these two campaigns were headed in different directions. But this election has so far demonstrated that anything can happen. Hang on.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Clinton's "Mistake"
As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton nears her goal of securing the Democratic presidential nomination she once again is testing the loyalty of even her most ardent supporters. A State Department inspector general report, released Wednesday, found that she had not sought permission to use a private email server while she was in office, contradicting her explanation that she has repeated throughout her campaign.
The report is damning, noting that she had "a personal obligation to discuss using her email account to conduct official business," but there was no evidence she sought or received approval from the State Department. The State investigation also was critical of Clinton's handling of emails under the Federal Records Act after she stepped down. While she later turned over thousands of emails, she had thousands more she considered personal destroyed. The government has now determined that more than 100 emails Clinton sent contain classified information.
Meanwhile, an FBI investigation into her email use continues, as well as other legal challenges, which all casts a dark cloud over her ongoing campaign. Clinton has repeatedly said that other Secretaries of State used a private email address. The State report found that Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served in President George W. Bush's first term, said he used a private address for unclassified emails. But at least two emails sent to him have now been marked classified.
The report also points out that the email rules were clarified before Clinton became Secretary of State to not allow the use of a private server because of "significant security risks." In November 2010, her deputy chief of operations recommended "putting you on State email" to shield her email from spam. She responded that she would consider using a separate address, but "I don't want any risk of the personal being accessible." The report says Clinton was sent a memo in 2011 warning of hackers trying to access private email accounts, and that she was given a personal briefing on the issue.
Why would the Secretary of State, who should know the rules of her department, seek to use a private server? In March 2015, Clinton told CNN, "I opted for convenience to use my personal account, which was allowed by the State Department, because I thought it would be easier to carry one device for my work and for my personal emails instead of two." She continued, "Looking back, it would have been better if I'd simply used a second email account and carried a second phone, but at the time, this didn't seem like an issue." This effort to minimize the issue flies in the face of State Department rules. While the State report found that neither Clinton nor Powell was directly told to end their personal email, there were plenty of warnings.
The FBI is looking into whether Clinton mishandled government information, which could result in criminal charges. The investigation reportedly centers on the failure to preserve government records and exposing government information to security risks. Clinton and her top aides are expected to be interviewed by the FBI in the near future. Clinton has described the FBI investigation as a "security inquiry." But FBI Director James Comey said he wasn't familiar with that term, instead calling it an investigation and adding that there is no external deadline. "I remain close to that investigation to make sure that it's done well and has the resources that are needed," he continued, "My goal in any investigation it to do it well and to do it promptly."
Meanwhile, Republicans immediately capitalized on the State Department findings. "This report underscores what we already know about Hillary Clinton: she simply cannot be trusted," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, responded in a statement. "While Secretary Clinton preserved and returned tens of thousands of pages of her emails to the Department for public release, Secretary Powell has returned none." The statement concluded, "Republicans need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars singling out Secretary Clinton just because she is running for President."
The ultimate impact of Clinton's email controversy on her campaign will not be known until the FBI announces its findings. There is no question that the controversy plays right into the widely held perception that Clinton is not trustworthy. The presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, is making the most of Clinton's troubles. He has branded her "Crooked Hillary," and he told a rally Wednesday night, "She's as crooked as they come, she had a little bad news today." However, recent polls show that Trump is even more unpopular than Clinton. And Trump's bullying, erratic behavior and outrageous statements have caused many Republicans to cautiously embrace his candidacy, and others to hold off on their endorsements.
While it may be nearly impossible for Clinton's Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to overtake her in the delegate count, he has pledged to take his fight to the Democratic Convention. A new poll, taken before the State Department report was released, shows Sanders has closed the gap among likely voters in the upcoming California primary.
Last September, in an effort to quiet the controversy, Clinton told ABC News that her use of private email was a "mistake," adding, "I am sorry about that. I take responsibility." Now, nearly one year later, the email controversy continues to gain momentum and roil her campaign. And the FBI has not yet spoken.
The report is damning, noting that she had "a personal obligation to discuss using her email account to conduct official business," but there was no evidence she sought or received approval from the State Department. The State investigation also was critical of Clinton's handling of emails under the Federal Records Act after she stepped down. While she later turned over thousands of emails, she had thousands more she considered personal destroyed. The government has now determined that more than 100 emails Clinton sent contain classified information.
Meanwhile, an FBI investigation into her email use continues, as well as other legal challenges, which all casts a dark cloud over her ongoing campaign. Clinton has repeatedly said that other Secretaries of State used a private email address. The State report found that Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served in President George W. Bush's first term, said he used a private address for unclassified emails. But at least two emails sent to him have now been marked classified.
The report also points out that the email rules were clarified before Clinton became Secretary of State to not allow the use of a private server because of "significant security risks." In November 2010, her deputy chief of operations recommended "putting you on State email" to shield her email from spam. She responded that she would consider using a separate address, but "I don't want any risk of the personal being accessible." The report says Clinton was sent a memo in 2011 warning of hackers trying to access private email accounts, and that she was given a personal briefing on the issue.
Why would the Secretary of State, who should know the rules of her department, seek to use a private server? In March 2015, Clinton told CNN, "I opted for convenience to use my personal account, which was allowed by the State Department, because I thought it would be easier to carry one device for my work and for my personal emails instead of two." She continued, "Looking back, it would have been better if I'd simply used a second email account and carried a second phone, but at the time, this didn't seem like an issue." This effort to minimize the issue flies in the face of State Department rules. While the State report found that neither Clinton nor Powell was directly told to end their personal email, there were plenty of warnings.
The FBI is looking into whether Clinton mishandled government information, which could result in criminal charges. The investigation reportedly centers on the failure to preserve government records and exposing government information to security risks. Clinton and her top aides are expected to be interviewed by the FBI in the near future. Clinton has described the FBI investigation as a "security inquiry." But FBI Director James Comey said he wasn't familiar with that term, instead calling it an investigation and adding that there is no external deadline. "I remain close to that investigation to make sure that it's done well and has the resources that are needed," he continued, "My goal in any investigation it to do it well and to do it promptly."
Meanwhile, Republicans immediately capitalized on the State Department findings. "This report underscores what we already know about Hillary Clinton: she simply cannot be trusted," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, responded in a statement. "While Secretary Clinton preserved and returned tens of thousands of pages of her emails to the Department for public release, Secretary Powell has returned none." The statement concluded, "Republicans need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars singling out Secretary Clinton just because she is running for President."
The ultimate impact of Clinton's email controversy on her campaign will not be known until the FBI announces its findings. There is no question that the controversy plays right into the widely held perception that Clinton is not trustworthy. The presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, is making the most of Clinton's troubles. He has branded her "Crooked Hillary," and he told a rally Wednesday night, "She's as crooked as they come, she had a little bad news today." However, recent polls show that Trump is even more unpopular than Clinton. And Trump's bullying, erratic behavior and outrageous statements have caused many Republicans to cautiously embrace his candidacy, and others to hold off on their endorsements.
While it may be nearly impossible for Clinton's Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to overtake her in the delegate count, he has pledged to take his fight to the Democratic Convention. A new poll, taken before the State Department report was released, shows Sanders has closed the gap among likely voters in the upcoming California primary.
Last September, in an effort to quiet the controversy, Clinton told ABC News that her use of private email was a "mistake," adding, "I am sorry about that. I take responsibility." Now, nearly one year later, the email controversy continues to gain momentum and roil her campaign. And the FBI has not yet spoken.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The Trump-Clinton Landslides
If you can make it in New York -- you will win your party's presidential nomination. That is the big message following the landslide victories Tuesday by Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump trounced his opposition, collecting 60 percent of the Republican primary vote and 89 delegates. Senator Ted Cruz paid a huge price for mocking "New York values" as he won a mere 14 percent of the vote and zero delegates. Talk about a Bronx cheer!
"We don't have much of a race anymore," Trump said in his shorter than usual victory speech Tuesday night at Trump Tower. As a result of his decisive victory in New York, Trump is all but certain to achieve the required 1237 delegates to win his party's nomination outright on the first ballot at the Republican Convention. No matter, there is little doubt that he will come close enough to the magic number to fend off any attempts to stop him.
"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch and victory is in sight," Hillary Clinton said at her victory rally late Tuesday. While Hillary Clinton's Democratic victory was nearly as impressive as Trump's, Senator Bernie Sanders was and remains a formidable opponent with a huge passionate following. Clinton reached out to Sanders' supporters in her remarks, "To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us."
Sanders congratulated Clinton Tuesday night, but told reporters in Burlington, Vermont, "We have a message that is resonating throughout the country." His explanation for his New York loss was the process. "Some 3 million New Yorkers were unable to vote (Tuesday) because they had registered as independents, no Democrats or Republicans, and that makes no sense," he said.
There is no clear path forward for Sanders to the nomination. Yes, he went from having no name recognition to drawing enormous crowds at his campaign rallies across the country. Yes, he magically ignited the imagination and support from millions of otherwise disengaged young Americans. Yes, his progressive voice gave hope to the disenfranchised and the victims of income inequality. Yes, his anti-Wall Street fervor tapped into a deep-seated frustration in America. Yes, his anti-war posture reflected the feelings of many in a war-weary nation.
Sanders has run a brilliant campaign, a campaign that has generated tremendous emotion. But emotion can hamper clear and practical judgement. Were Sanders to decide to aggressively continue his attacks on Clinton, especially his negative attacks, he will be playing into the Republican's hands. He may also make in impossible for some Sanders' supporters to vote for Clinton in the general election.
On the other hand, Sanders could resume his positive campaigning, speaking out on issues that have shaped his campaign while highlighting his differences with Clinton. This would be a constructive way to legitimately raise issues without turning his most ardent supporters against Clinton. And there will come a time in the next few weeks when the Democratic Party will have to unite, just as it did following Barack Obama's nomination in 2008.
Donald Trump has set his sights on the White House. He has overcome gaffes, he has won despite alienating Latinos, Muslims, women, Mexicans, and Fox News anchors. He has staged a highly entertaining campaign that has drawn enormous crowds, and he has campaigned round-the-clock on Twitter. Several times Trump has defied pundit predictions of his demise, most recently following his defeat in Wisconsin. He has done so because he has tapped into the frustrations of millions of Americans who believe Trump is the one who will "make America great again," even though Trump has offered little in the way of details.
Trump has proven to be a fierce and wily politician who will pose a tremendous challenge for Hillary Clinton. And he has already started using his "crooked" Hillary Clinton line at rallies. Trump has already begun to unify the GOP, even though many Republicans don't trust him.
Yes, presidential candidate Donald Trump will be unpredictable and challenging in the general election. But he will be near impossible to beat if the Democratic Party is divided, and Sanders' supporters stay home. Then everything that Sanders believed in will be lost, and decades of progress for progressives will be deleted from history.
Trump trounced his opposition, collecting 60 percent of the Republican primary vote and 89 delegates. Senator Ted Cruz paid a huge price for mocking "New York values" as he won a mere 14 percent of the vote and zero delegates. Talk about a Bronx cheer!
"We don't have much of a race anymore," Trump said in his shorter than usual victory speech Tuesday night at Trump Tower. As a result of his decisive victory in New York, Trump is all but certain to achieve the required 1237 delegates to win his party's nomination outright on the first ballot at the Republican Convention. No matter, there is little doubt that he will come close enough to the magic number to fend off any attempts to stop him.
"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch and victory is in sight," Hillary Clinton said at her victory rally late Tuesday. While Hillary Clinton's Democratic victory was nearly as impressive as Trump's, Senator Bernie Sanders was and remains a formidable opponent with a huge passionate following. Clinton reached out to Sanders' supporters in her remarks, "To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us."
Sanders congratulated Clinton Tuesday night, but told reporters in Burlington, Vermont, "We have a message that is resonating throughout the country." His explanation for his New York loss was the process. "Some 3 million New Yorkers were unable to vote (Tuesday) because they had registered as independents, no Democrats or Republicans, and that makes no sense," he said.
There is no clear path forward for Sanders to the nomination. Yes, he went from having no name recognition to drawing enormous crowds at his campaign rallies across the country. Yes, he magically ignited the imagination and support from millions of otherwise disengaged young Americans. Yes, his progressive voice gave hope to the disenfranchised and the victims of income inequality. Yes, his anti-Wall Street fervor tapped into a deep-seated frustration in America. Yes, his anti-war posture reflected the feelings of many in a war-weary nation.
Sanders has run a brilliant campaign, a campaign that has generated tremendous emotion. But emotion can hamper clear and practical judgement. Were Sanders to decide to aggressively continue his attacks on Clinton, especially his negative attacks, he will be playing into the Republican's hands. He may also make in impossible for some Sanders' supporters to vote for Clinton in the general election.
On the other hand, Sanders could resume his positive campaigning, speaking out on issues that have shaped his campaign while highlighting his differences with Clinton. This would be a constructive way to legitimately raise issues without turning his most ardent supporters against Clinton. And there will come a time in the next few weeks when the Democratic Party will have to unite, just as it did following Barack Obama's nomination in 2008.
Donald Trump has set his sights on the White House. He has overcome gaffes, he has won despite alienating Latinos, Muslims, women, Mexicans, and Fox News anchors. He has staged a highly entertaining campaign that has drawn enormous crowds, and he has campaigned round-the-clock on Twitter. Several times Trump has defied pundit predictions of his demise, most recently following his defeat in Wisconsin. He has done so because he has tapped into the frustrations of millions of Americans who believe Trump is the one who will "make America great again," even though Trump has offered little in the way of details.
Trump has proven to be a fierce and wily politician who will pose a tremendous challenge for Hillary Clinton. And he has already started using his "crooked" Hillary Clinton line at rallies. Trump has already begun to unify the GOP, even though many Republicans don't trust him.
Yes, presidential candidate Donald Trump will be unpredictable and challenging in the general election. But he will be near impossible to beat if the Democratic Party is divided, and Sanders' supporters stay home. Then everything that Sanders believed in will be lost, and decades of progress for progressives will be deleted from history.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Trump vs. Clinton
Republican Donald Trump was the big winner in presidential contests Tuesday in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii. But former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton narrowly lost to Senator Bernie Sanders in Michigan because she underperformed with working-class white male voters, a group Trump does well with. This portends a serious problem for Clinton should she face Trump in the November presidential election.
Trump's victories came at a time when many political pundits predicted that he was peaking in the polls. Trump endured a massive advertising campaign financed by political action committees trying to knock him out. He withstood attacks from leaders of the Republican establishment. He even overcame perceived gaffes, including comparisons to Adolph Hitler. Nothing could dissuade loyal Trump supporters from voting for him.
Anger is the fuel of Trump-mania. Many Republican voters are totally fed up with the gridlock in Washington. Many dislike President Barack Obama, but many feel betrayed by Republicans in Congress who have not fulfilled their promises. And no group is more angry than working-class voters who feel left behind. From 1973 to 2013, the hourly wages of middle-wage workers were stagnant, rising just 6 percent, or less than .02 percent per year. Meanwhile, the annual wages for the top 1 percent have grown 138 percent since 1979.
Jobs are also an important issue for voters this election. While Michigan employment has been increasing over the past four years, it has only recovered 40 percent of the industrial jobs lost during the recession. The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, which was signed by President Bill Clinton, has resulted in nearly a quarter-million lost manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Senator Sanders and Trump both have been harshly critical of NAFTA and the recent proposal Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Clinton only recently announced her opposition to.
Trump has appealed to millions of disheartened Americans without having to provide much in the way of specifics on issues. He is a brash outsider who many voters think "tells it like it is." They are fed up with U.S. immigration policy. Despite a lack of details, they believe Trump will deport eleven million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, and they believe he will build a wall along the Mexican border and get Mexico to pay for it. Voters have overlooked the growing scandal surrounding Trump University, his petulant name calling and personal insults, and even his flip flops on key issues.
Trump will need to get 60 percent of the remaining delegates in the upcoming presidential contests in order to reach the 1237 delegates needed to secure the Republican presidential nomination. Given his surprising performance Tuesday, and the fact that he has won so many southern states, where Texas Senator Ted Cruz was favored, and he is doing well among evangelicals and conservatives, it will be hard to stop him from achieving his goal. In fact, Trump has already begun the task of mending fences with the GOP establishment.
On the other hand, given her huge lead in the delegate count, it is very likely that Hillary Clinton will get her party's nomination. Her closely contested race with Sanders is but a tepid warmup for her likely clash with Donald Trump. Trump will relentlessly attack Clinton on foreign policy, like Libya and Benghazi, on women's issues, on President Bill Clinton's affairs, on the Clinton foundation, on emails, on Goldman Sachs speaking fees, and more.
Trump has had a major impact on the large Republican primary turn out so far, and on mobilizing working-class voters, as well as independents and Democrats. These are the voters Clinton will need to be elected president in November, especially in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois. While recent polls indicate that Clinton beats Trump in a head to head match up, it would be wise not to bet against Donald Trump.
On the other hand, in his book, The Art of the Deal, Trump wrote, "You can't con people, at least not for long. You can create excitement, you can do wonderful promotion and get all kinds of press, and you can throw in a little hyperbole." He concluded, "But if you don't deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on." Can Donald Trump deliver the goods?
Trump's victories came at a time when many political pundits predicted that he was peaking in the polls. Trump endured a massive advertising campaign financed by political action committees trying to knock him out. He withstood attacks from leaders of the Republican establishment. He even overcame perceived gaffes, including comparisons to Adolph Hitler. Nothing could dissuade loyal Trump supporters from voting for him.
Anger is the fuel of Trump-mania. Many Republican voters are totally fed up with the gridlock in Washington. Many dislike President Barack Obama, but many feel betrayed by Republicans in Congress who have not fulfilled their promises. And no group is more angry than working-class voters who feel left behind. From 1973 to 2013, the hourly wages of middle-wage workers were stagnant, rising just 6 percent, or less than .02 percent per year. Meanwhile, the annual wages for the top 1 percent have grown 138 percent since 1979.
Jobs are also an important issue for voters this election. While Michigan employment has been increasing over the past four years, it has only recovered 40 percent of the industrial jobs lost during the recession. The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, which was signed by President Bill Clinton, has resulted in nearly a quarter-million lost manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Senator Sanders and Trump both have been harshly critical of NAFTA and the recent proposal Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Clinton only recently announced her opposition to.
Trump has appealed to millions of disheartened Americans without having to provide much in the way of specifics on issues. He is a brash outsider who many voters think "tells it like it is." They are fed up with U.S. immigration policy. Despite a lack of details, they believe Trump will deport eleven million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, and they believe he will build a wall along the Mexican border and get Mexico to pay for it. Voters have overlooked the growing scandal surrounding Trump University, his petulant name calling and personal insults, and even his flip flops on key issues.
Trump will need to get 60 percent of the remaining delegates in the upcoming presidential contests in order to reach the 1237 delegates needed to secure the Republican presidential nomination. Given his surprising performance Tuesday, and the fact that he has won so many southern states, where Texas Senator Ted Cruz was favored, and he is doing well among evangelicals and conservatives, it will be hard to stop him from achieving his goal. In fact, Trump has already begun the task of mending fences with the GOP establishment.
On the other hand, given her huge lead in the delegate count, it is very likely that Hillary Clinton will get her party's nomination. Her closely contested race with Sanders is but a tepid warmup for her likely clash with Donald Trump. Trump will relentlessly attack Clinton on foreign policy, like Libya and Benghazi, on women's issues, on President Bill Clinton's affairs, on the Clinton foundation, on emails, on Goldman Sachs speaking fees, and more.
Trump has had a major impact on the large Republican primary turn out so far, and on mobilizing working-class voters, as well as independents and Democrats. These are the voters Clinton will need to be elected president in November, especially in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois. While recent polls indicate that Clinton beats Trump in a head to head match up, it would be wise not to bet against Donald Trump.
On the other hand, in his book, The Art of the Deal, Trump wrote, "You can't con people, at least not for long. You can create excitement, you can do wonderful promotion and get all kinds of press, and you can throw in a little hyperbole." He concluded, "But if you don't deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on." Can Donald Trump deliver the goods?
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Trump and Sanders: The Odd Couple
Senator Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump each
decisively won their party's primary in New Hampshire Tuesday, a result that
seemed impossible six months ago. Now it seems possible that a self
proclaimed socialist and a former Democrat turned Republican could face off in
the presidential election this coming November.
Trump scored more than a third of those who voted Republican in the primary. “We learned a lot about ground games in one week, I can tell you,” Trump told supporters in Manchester, N.H., referring to his narrow second place finish in the Iowa Caucus. While Trump carried both independent and Republican voters, his total votes were less then both Sanders and Hillary Clinton. But Trump had more than double his nearest Republican opponent, Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Kasich bet the farm on doing well in New Hampshire, and he held more than 100 town meetings in the state. Kasich, who ran a positive campaign, greeted his supporters in Concord, N.H., with a hopeful message. “We never went negative because we have more good to sell than to spend our time being critical of someone else,” he said. “Maybe, just maybe, we are turning the page on a dark part of American politics because tonight the light overcame the darkness of American campaigning.” But it is hard to see how Kasich can win in South Carolina and beyond.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was energized by his competitive finish. “This campaign is not dead. We’re going on to South Carolina,” He told his supporters. But he will have to do well in the Palmetto State February 20 in order to continue with his campaign. On the other hand, Texas Senator Ted Cruz told his supporters that he had exceeded expectations in New Hampshire, a state in which he did not poll well. But Cruz has built a formidable organization in South Carolina, which has a large evangelical population. While Trump is leading in that state's polls, Cruz is well positioned to overtake him.
The big losers Tuesday were the two candidates who came to verbal blows in Saturday's GOP debate. Florida Senator Marco Rubio took responsibility for his poor primary performance, telling supporters, “I did not do well on Saturday night … that will never happen again.” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie tagged Rubio in the debate as a truant, adding, “he simply does not have the experience to be President of the United States and make these decisions.” But his aggressive debate performance did not propel him into a top five finish among the Republican candidates.
The Democrat contest ended up to be a rout as Sanders won among independents, voters under 30, men and women. Clinton delivered a rousing concession speech in which she congratulated Sanders, and then asked her audience a rhetorical question. “Who is the best change-maker?” she said. The crowd responded, "You are!" This is a stinging defeat for Clinton, who had hoped to finish much closer to Sanders. After all, New Hampshire has been good to both she and her husband. Instead, she felt the "Bern."
For his part, Sanders put together a remarkable organization and mobilized thousands of voters throughout the state. In his victory speech he told his supporters, “We have sent the message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington from Maine to California, is that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people and not just a handful of wealthy campaign contributors and their ‘super Pacs.’”
He has also sent a strong message to the Democratic establishment that he can go all the way. He is building a respectable organization in South Carolina, where he is courting minority voters, and in Nevada he has strong ties to some unions that can help him in that state's caucus.
That Trump and Sanders both won in New Hampshire Tuesday is all the more remarkable when one thinks that just a few months ago they were both written off as losers. Now these two native New Yorkers, one from Queens and the other from Brooklyn, one a Democrat turned Republican and the other an independent turned Democrat, have capitalized voter dissatisfaction with government and the Washington establishment.
Sanders and Trump are the "Odd Couple" of American politics, and, no matter the final outcome, they have each run historic campaigns. This election has been "yuge!"
Trump scored more than a third of those who voted Republican in the primary. “We learned a lot about ground games in one week, I can tell you,” Trump told supporters in Manchester, N.H., referring to his narrow second place finish in the Iowa Caucus. While Trump carried both independent and Republican voters, his total votes were less then both Sanders and Hillary Clinton. But Trump had more than double his nearest Republican opponent, Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Kasich bet the farm on doing well in New Hampshire, and he held more than 100 town meetings in the state. Kasich, who ran a positive campaign, greeted his supporters in Concord, N.H., with a hopeful message. “We never went negative because we have more good to sell than to spend our time being critical of someone else,” he said. “Maybe, just maybe, we are turning the page on a dark part of American politics because tonight the light overcame the darkness of American campaigning.” But it is hard to see how Kasich can win in South Carolina and beyond.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was energized by his competitive finish. “This campaign is not dead. We’re going on to South Carolina,” He told his supporters. But he will have to do well in the Palmetto State February 20 in order to continue with his campaign. On the other hand, Texas Senator Ted Cruz told his supporters that he had exceeded expectations in New Hampshire, a state in which he did not poll well. But Cruz has built a formidable organization in South Carolina, which has a large evangelical population. While Trump is leading in that state's polls, Cruz is well positioned to overtake him.
The big losers Tuesday were the two candidates who came to verbal blows in Saturday's GOP debate. Florida Senator Marco Rubio took responsibility for his poor primary performance, telling supporters, “I did not do well on Saturday night … that will never happen again.” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie tagged Rubio in the debate as a truant, adding, “he simply does not have the experience to be President of the United States and make these decisions.” But his aggressive debate performance did not propel him into a top five finish among the Republican candidates.
The Democrat contest ended up to be a rout as Sanders won among independents, voters under 30, men and women. Clinton delivered a rousing concession speech in which she congratulated Sanders, and then asked her audience a rhetorical question. “Who is the best change-maker?” she said. The crowd responded, "You are!" This is a stinging defeat for Clinton, who had hoped to finish much closer to Sanders. After all, New Hampshire has been good to both she and her husband. Instead, she felt the "Bern."
For his part, Sanders put together a remarkable organization and mobilized thousands of voters throughout the state. In his victory speech he told his supporters, “We have sent the message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington from Maine to California, is that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people and not just a handful of wealthy campaign contributors and their ‘super Pacs.’”
He has also sent a strong message to the Democratic establishment that he can go all the way. He is building a respectable organization in South Carolina, where he is courting minority voters, and in Nevada he has strong ties to some unions that can help him in that state's caucus.
That Trump and Sanders both won in New Hampshire Tuesday is all the more remarkable when one thinks that just a few months ago they were both written off as losers. Now these two native New Yorkers, one from Queens and the other from Brooklyn, one a Democrat turned Republican and the other an independent turned Democrat, have capitalized voter dissatisfaction with government and the Washington establishment.
Sanders and Trump are the "Odd Couple" of American politics, and, no matter the final outcome, they have each run historic campaigns. This election has been "yuge!"
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Hillary Clinton Speaks
“I’m not running for some Americans,” Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday in her first major campaign rally, “I’m running for all Americans.” Her speech was populist in tone as she promised that if elected president she would close the income gap between rich and poor.
Several thousand enthusiastic supporters gathered on a picture perfect day to hear the Democratic frontrunner speak on New York City's Roosevelt Island, located between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. But this speech would have better timed had it been scheduled two months ago when she officially announced she was a candidate for president.
Instead, she went on a closely guarded listening tour of voters and dodged press questions about controversies swirling around her campaign. In that time she was subject to Republican attacks related to her private email server, her role in the Clinton Foundation and potential conflicts of interest while serving as secretary of state. As a consequence, polling around her likability and trustworthiness has gone negative.
While Republicans have been attacking Clinton, populist Democratic candidates have been critical of her campaign as well. Senator Bernie Sanders, a distant second to Clinton in the polls, has been particularly aggressive. "I don't have a super PAC. I'm not going to be getting huge sums of money from millionaires and billionaires," Sanders told MSNBC last week when asked to explain how he is different than Clinton. "So, working families all over this country are saying, Bernie, we want to stand with you, take on this billionaire class who are dominating our economics and our politics," he concluded.
In her speech Sunday, Clinton reached out to the party base by quoting Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt. "He said there's no mystery about what it takes to build a strong and prosperous America: 'Equality of opportunity... Jobs for those who can work... Security for those who need it... The ending of special privilege for the few...The preservation of civil liberties for all...a wider and constantly rising standard of living.'" She then added, with a smile, "That sounds good to me."
Clinton did offer policies she would pursue as president, including universal prekindergarten, paid family leave, equal pay for women, college affordability and incentives for companies that provide profit-sharing to employees. She also said she would change the tax code "so it rewards hard work at home" rather than corporations "stashing profits overseas." To achieve her goals she said, "Our next President must work with Congress and every other willing partner across our entire country. And I will do just that to turn the tide so these currents start working for us more than against us."
In a response to charges that she is out of touch with Middle America, she cited her humble upbringing and promised, "I've spent my life fighting for children, families, and our country. And I'm not stopping now." For those who have expressed concern about her age, she said, “I may not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I will be the youngest woman president in the history of the United States.”
Clinton has been a polarizing figure throughout her career, and she will continue to be the target of political attacks from all sides throughout the campaign. In her speech, she portrayed herself as a fighter, “I’ve been called many things by many people, quitter is not one of them.’’ But, ultimately, Clinton will have to be more publicly accountable for some of the legitimate questions that have been raised around her candidacy because they are not going away.
Several thousand enthusiastic supporters gathered on a picture perfect day to hear the Democratic frontrunner speak on New York City's Roosevelt Island, located between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. But this speech would have better timed had it been scheduled two months ago when she officially announced she was a candidate for president.
Instead, she went on a closely guarded listening tour of voters and dodged press questions about controversies swirling around her campaign. In that time she was subject to Republican attacks related to her private email server, her role in the Clinton Foundation and potential conflicts of interest while serving as secretary of state. As a consequence, polling around her likability and trustworthiness has gone negative.
While Republicans have been attacking Clinton, populist Democratic candidates have been critical of her campaign as well. Senator Bernie Sanders, a distant second to Clinton in the polls, has been particularly aggressive. "I don't have a super PAC. I'm not going to be getting huge sums of money from millionaires and billionaires," Sanders told MSNBC last week when asked to explain how he is different than Clinton. "So, working families all over this country are saying, Bernie, we want to stand with you, take on this billionaire class who are dominating our economics and our politics," he concluded.
In her speech Sunday, Clinton reached out to the party base by quoting Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt. "He said there's no mystery about what it takes to build a strong and prosperous America: 'Equality of opportunity... Jobs for those who can work... Security for those who need it... The ending of special privilege for the few...The preservation of civil liberties for all...a wider and constantly rising standard of living.'" She then added, with a smile, "That sounds good to me."
Clinton did offer policies she would pursue as president, including universal prekindergarten, paid family leave, equal pay for women, college affordability and incentives for companies that provide profit-sharing to employees. She also said she would change the tax code "so it rewards hard work at home" rather than corporations "stashing profits overseas." To achieve her goals she said, "Our next President must work with Congress and every other willing partner across our entire country. And I will do just that to turn the tide so these currents start working for us more than against us."
In a response to charges that she is out of touch with Middle America, she cited her humble upbringing and promised, "I've spent my life fighting for children, families, and our country. And I'm not stopping now." For those who have expressed concern about her age, she said, “I may not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I will be the youngest woman president in the history of the United States.”
Clinton has been a polarizing figure throughout her career, and she will continue to be the target of political attacks from all sides throughout the campaign. In her speech, she portrayed herself as a fighter, “I’ve been called many things by many people, quitter is not one of them.’’ But, ultimately, Clinton will have to be more publicly accountable for some of the legitimate questions that have been raised around her candidacy because they are not going away.
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