Hillary Clinton’s views on important political issues, such as pro-choice, stem cell research, health care, the environment and education are very close to my own; meaning we both probably can be labeled by political philosophers as “moderate liberal populists.”
That ideology is not unlike hubby Bubba Bill Clinton, who in my book is one of the most capable and talented presidents to have lead this country (and still whose conduct not only stained Monica’s dress, but discredited the office).
I don’t think we will have to worry about that from his spouse.
But, this Clinton – I don’t like.
I cannot put my finger on it. I cannot say this feeling comes from some well reasoned analysis of her politics or her demographics. Heck, I even believe the next president, or one soon thereafter, ought to be either a woman or black (or both, unless it is Condoleezza Rice).
I am not alone in these “negative thoughts”. In a recent Gallup Poll, Hillary Clinton had 50 percent of the people with an unfavorable opinion of her. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19140629/site/newsweek/
That’s highly unusual for a non-incumbent presidential candidate. But this Clinton had similar numbers this time prior to her New York senatorial bid, and then ended up winning the election with 55 percent of the votes.
Some may say that I fall into the category of white males who are afraid of smart, aggressive, white females. This despite the fact I was married to one for 17 years and have been in a relationship with another for more than a decade (ooooh, did I say that?). Instead, I think it is more I just don’t like Hillary Clinton. I wouldn’t like her if she was a guy. If she was a man I would think she(he) was some smart aleck guy who thinks he knows more than the rest of us, and worse yet, one that might be right about that.
Still, considering we’ve suffered through a presidency less bright than the rest of us and one that has fouled things up – then, maybe we should have no problem being told what to do by a smart, aggressive woman whose ideas are not bad at all.
Those ideas include 1) fixing the horrible health care system in this country (how we do that – I don’t know, I’m not the one that went to Harvard); 2) preserving the environment (I can do that); and 3) lifting the idiotic ban on federal funding of stem cell research (it’s just one non-veto away from passage). And while Hillary did an about-face on the whole Iraq war, having first supported it then changed her mind – didn’t most Americans do the very same thing?
So, I might vote for Hillary come 2008. But, I will likely not invite her over for coffee.
