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Is there any point in a Clinton Presidency?

blueisthecolourblueisthecolour Posts: 20,127
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I mean US Politics has veered so far to the right over the last decade that I really question what Hilary would achieve. It's obvious now that the Republicans have absolutely no interest in working with Democrat, regardless of how 'moderate' they are. Obama proved to be far better at campaigning than governing and even before the loss of both houses to the Republicans he was struggling to have any real impact. Most senior Democrats have had to publicly distance themselves from even his liberal-lite stances just to keep their seats.

The right-wing press has built to such fever-pitch that anything other than rigid conservatism is now vehemently shouted down at ever opportunity. Hillary could agree to across the board tax cuts and free guns and she would still be portrayed as some sort of communist, America/Freedom hater.

It seems to me that the choice for the US public is either 4/8 more years of political rancour and stagnation or just letting the Republicans get one with creating their 'Conservative paradise'. Personally I think it might be better if they just do the latter so that everyone in the country can see it fail and they can finally move on.

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    BRITLANDBRITLAND Posts: 3,443
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    I'd rather Clinton win for at least one term, just to see a woman in the white house, as well as Bill back there too, then after that America can have their toxic Republicans turn their nation into a toilet.
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    FMKKFMKK Posts: 32,074
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    Hilary Clinton is as right-wing as they come, so she'll achieve quite a lot of what she would want. Look at her actual record - a long history of pro-corporate, pro-imperialist activity. Take a read:

    https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/hillary-clinton-womens-rights-feminism/
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    blueisthecolourblueisthecolour Posts: 20,127
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    FMKK wrote: »
    Hilary Clinton is as right-wing as they come, so she'll achieve quite a lot of what she would want. Look at her actual record - a long history of pro-corporate, pro-imperialist activity. Take a read:

    https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/hillary-clinton-womens-rights-feminism/

    Well yeah, of course. She's a mainstream US politician so she's pretty right-wing compared to any other nation's politics. However the Republican right is now living in such an 'American dream' fantasy world that to them she's basically Stalin. They have absolutely no interest in working with anyone who doesn't believe in:

    1. Massive reduction of the welfare state and associated taxes
    2. End of all government regulation of business.
    3. Complete and total freedom in gun ownership and carrying.
    4. Zero tolerance, no compromise, 'America first' foreign policy.
    5. Entrenchment of Christianity and Bible commandments in law.
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    jojoenojojoeno Posts: 1,842
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    She will do well as the next US President, it seems from the OP that most accept she will be next US President , great news for America and the rest of the free world.
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    Ethel_FredEthel_Fred Posts: 34,127
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    FMKK wrote: »
    Hilary Clinton is as right-wing as they come, so she'll achieve quite a lot of what she would want. Look at her actual record - a long history of pro-corporate, pro-imperialist activity. Take a read:

    https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/hillary-clinton-womens-rights-feminism/

    But she isn't a Republican. It doesn't matter that she'd do exactly what the Republicans would do, its all about her being a democrat, a Clinton and a woman to boot who doesn't believe in the literal truth of Leviticus and thinks that women should have rights.
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    FMKKFMKK Posts: 32,074
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    Well yeah, of course. She's a mainstream US politician so she's pretty right-wing compared to any other nation's politics. However the Republican right is now living in such an 'American dream' fantasy world that to them she's basically Stalin. They have absolutely no interest in working with anyone who doesn't believe in:

    1. Massive reduction of the welfare state and associated taxes
    2. End of all government regulation of business.
    3. Complete and total freedom in gun ownership and carrying.
    4. Zero tolerance, no compromise, 'America first' foreign policy.
    5. Entrenchment of Christianity and Bible commandments in law.

    I would say that Clinton is strongly in tune with three of those five, which shows the level of choice on offer.
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    thenetworkbabethenetworkbabe Posts: 45,624
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    America's just tried one left wing President and its been a disaster internationally , and resulted in massive racial tension at home, and massive numbers of people not even bothering to look for work. He's done nothing for the low paid, and encouraged illegal immigration to provide more Democratic voters - with the predictable impact on wage levels. The economy has only survived because there's been no budget passed for years, sequestration has stopped more spending, and the Fed has taken over.

    Clinton 2 will look like Clinton 1. Hopefully not followed by another911 because it ignored threats.

    Clinton's problem is that as secretary of state she was responsible for a line of failures from the reset with Russia, to the debacle in Libya, and the withdrawal from Iraq that brought ISIS in. There's also a trail of inquires into her too - not least over destroying her email records as Secretary of State, and the killing of the US ambassador to Libya. She's also not good on the meaningless soaring rhetoric - like Obama was, and less politically astute, more error prone, and less charismatic than Bill.

    There's also the unknowns about her health, and her age . Its going to be asked what damage her 2012 clott caused, what her medication does, and how likely it is she will suffer one again. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/us/hillary-clinton-goes-to-hospital-after-exam-finds-a-blood-clot.html?_r=0 Thats going to focus attention on her age - where she would be the second oldest President ever if elected.

    The Republican problem is that, even if some of Obama's vote is much less enthused for her, she will attract a female vote. A sensible Republican Party might put up a moderate, much younger, good looking, hispanic, candidate - like Rubio - against her to pull in another voting block that went Obama - backed up by a VP candidate from the swing northern states, or another female.

    The Democrats though are stuck - as there's no one else on offer moderate Americans would vote for, or have heard of.
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    Sky_GuySky_Guy Posts: 6,859
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    I think she has a good chance, because she is a woman, like Obama because he was black. Its a thing people will vote for.

    Its her or another Bush by the looks of it, I think she will win, I have the feeling.
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    Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,344
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    Yes there is a point to a Clinton presidency no more Bush family we should all be thankful for that phew.
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    elfcurryelfcurry Posts: 3,232
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    I mean US Politics has veered so far to the right over the last decade that I really question what Hilary would achieve. It's obvious now that the Republicans have absolutely no interest in working with Democrat, regardless of how 'moderate' they are. Obama proved to be far better at campaigning than governing and even before the loss of both houses to the Republicans he was struggling to have any real impact. Most senior Democrats have had to publicly distance themselves from even his liberal-lite stances just to keep their seats.

    The right-wing press has built to such fever-pitch that anything other than rigid conservatism is now vehemently shouted down at ever opportunity. Hillary could agree to across the board tax cuts and free guns and she would still be portrayed as some sort of communist, America/Freedom hater.

    It seems to me that the choice for the US public is either 4/8 more years of political rancour and stagnation or just letting the Republicans get one with creating their 'Conservative paradise'. Personally I think it might be better if they just do the latter so that everyone in the country can see it fail and they can finally move on.
    "Is there any point in a Clinton presidency?" Yes, of course. Even in the face of hostile opposition, she can hold back the tide of unpleasantness to some extent. We outside USA could just shrug and say "if they choose very right-wing governments, who cares?" but it matters more what policies they choose because it affects the rest of us, more than any other country does.

    Anyway, if Hillary can win, it shows that not all Americans are quite so right wing as her opponents so it gives everyone else hope.
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    Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,344
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    elfcurry wrote: »
    We outside USA could just shrug and say "if they choose very right-wing governments, who cares?" but it matters more what policies they choose because it affects the rest of us, more than any other country does.

    Anyway, if Hillary can win, it shows that not all Americans are quite so right wing as her opponents so it gives everyone else hope.


    Agreed though i think Obama has proved that point well.
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    glasshalffullglasshalffull Posts: 22,291
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    I guess if was a choice between Clinton#2 and Bush#3 it's pretty easy to work out who to vote for.
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    blueisthecolourblueisthecolour Posts: 20,127
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    America's just tried one left wing President and its been a disaster internationally , and resulted in massive racial tension at home, and massive numbers of people not even bothering to look for work. He's done nothing for the low paid, and encouraged illegal immigration to provide more Democratic voters - with the predictable impact on wage levels. The economy has only survived because there's been no budget passed for years, sequestration has stopped more spending, and the Fed has taken over.

    Clinton 2 will look like Clinton 1. Hopefully not followed by another911 because it ignored threats.

    Clinton's problem is that as secretary of state she was responsible for a line of failures from the reset with Russia, to the debacle in Libya, and the withdrawal from Iraq that brought ISIS in. There's also a trail of inquires into her too - not least over destroying her email records as Secretary of State, and the killing of the US ambassador to Libya. She's also not good on the meaningless soaring rhetoric - like Obama was, and less politically astute, more error prone, and less charismatic than Bill.

    There's also the unknowns about her health, and her age . Its going to be asked what damage her 2012 clott caused, what her medication does, and how likely it is she will suffer one again. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/us/hillary-clinton-goes-to-hospital-after-exam-finds-a-blood-clot.html?_r=0 Thats going to focus attention on her age - where she would be the second oldest President ever if elected.

    The Republican problem is that, even if some of Obama's vote is much less enthused for her, she will attract a female vote. A sensible Republican Party might put up a moderate, much younger, good looking, hispanic, candidate - like Rubio - against her to pull in another voting block that went Obama - backed up by a VP candidate from the swing northern states, or another female.

    The Democrats though are stuck - as there's no one else on offer moderate Americans would vote for, or have heard of.

    Left wing president? Obama caused massive racial tensions? The economy has only survived because there's been no budget passed for years? Clinton caused 9/11? Obama caused IS? Hilary too old at 67? Rubio a moderate? No other moderate Democrats?

    What world are you living in exactly?
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    FMKKFMKK Posts: 32,074
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    Left wing president? Obama caused massive racial tensions? The economy has only survived because there's been no budget passed for years? Clinton caused 9/11? Obama caused IS? Hilary too old at 67? Rubio a moderate? No other moderate Democrats?

    What world are you living in exactly?

    Thinking that Obama, Clinton or any big player in the modern Democrats is seriously left wing is a delusional drinking of the kool aid. There can be no other thing for it. Any serious examination of their respective records dispels the notion instantly.
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    vaslav37vaslav37 Posts: 69,565
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    Left wing president? Obama caused massive racial tensions? The economy has only survived because there's been no budget passed for years? Clinton caused 9/11? Obama caused IS? Hilary too old at 67? Rubio a moderate? No other moderate Democrats?

    What world are you living in exactly?

    Hillary will be 69 if she is elected but Reagan was the same age when he became President in 1980.
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    Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,344
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    FMKK wrote: »
    Thinking that Obama, Clinton or any big player in the modern Democrats is seriously left wing is a delusional drinking of the kool aid. There can be no other thing for it. Any serious examination of their respective records dispels the notion instantly.

    Although to his credit Obama got some healthcare reforms through in the US thought to be impossible.
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    LostFoolLostFool Posts: 90,662
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    Although to his credit Obama got some healthcare reforms through in the US thought to be impossible.

    Still not left wing though.. Obamacare is further to the right than anything the Conservatives in the UK would ever dare propose.
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    FMKKFMKK Posts: 32,074
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    Correct. The healthcare thing is a relatively progressive step for the US and may end up helping people but it still puts insurance companies at the centre of healthcare policy. They stand to gain a lot.
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    LostFoolLostFool Posts: 90,662
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    Sky_Guy wrote: »
    I think she has a good chance, because she is a woman, like Obama because he was black. Its a thing people will vote for.

    If Clinton wins then it won't have anything to do with her being a woman and it won't be a victory for women's rights. It will be a victory for the Clinton brand and their money.

    There are plenty of other of female politicians in the US who have got to where they have through their own efforts rather than riding the coat-tails of their husbands. A victory for H. Clinton would be a message to the girls of America that they can do anything they want as long as they marry a successful man first.

    If the Democrats really wanted this to be about empowering women then they should go for someone like Elizabeth Warren (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Warren)
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    Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,344
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    LostFool wrote: »
    Still not left wing though.. Obamacare is further to the right than anything the Conservatives in the UK would ever dare propose for the UK.

    Maybe so that is the nature of America but to a lot of people reliant on health care in the US they are too poor to provide for themselves have something to be thankful to him for.

    Obamacare is probably better then anything offered by anybody else standing for president in the US.
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    Thomas007Thomas007 Posts: 14,309
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    Obamacare will be ripped apart if the GOP get back into power. Heck it might even ripped apart this summer if Supreme court rules against the subsidies case, meaning 5-8 million will lose their health insurance, they're tearing Obamacare off piece by piece.
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