Hillary Clinton
A Historic Opportunity
Emily Schmitt, MPP2
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
A war in Iraq with no end in sight. Forty-seven million Americans with no health insurance. A financially-squeezed middle class. A soaring national debt. Strained relationships with our allies. After eight years of George W. Bush, America is in desperate need of a change.
That's why I support Hillary Clinton for president. The leadership, knowledge, and social capital she's developed over decades of public service make her most qualified to clean up Bush's messes at home and abroad, and to set us back on track for a progressive future. She is also the Democrat most likely to win the general election - and I'm thrilled about the history she would make along the way.
For me, competence is the number one issue in this election. We've seen what eight years of a bumbling leader can do for the country. America needs someone who can get stuff done starting on day one in the Oval Office - not someone who needs to learn on the job. In this election, Clinton is the candidate of competence. Why?
First, she knows the issues. Clinton's years of national policy experience - from her time at the Children's Defense Fund to her work on the State Children Health Insurance program, to her tenure on the Senate Armed Services committee - have given her the depth of knowledge she needs to address today's most pressing policy issues.
Second, she has the social capital to get things done. The bipartisan relationships she's formed, particularly during her Senate years, will help her navigate the legislative process and push policy through Congress.
And while some consider "insider" a dirty word, Hillary's eight years in the White House and eight years in the Senate are one of her greatest assets. The fact is that our founders set up a complex and often convoluted system of government, and an effective president needs a firm understanding of how to navigate the intricate processes of Washington. Hillary's substantive experience in both the executive and the legislative branches has uniquely prepared her to navigate this system.
Of course, none of these qualities matter unless Clinton is elected, which is why it is also important that Hillary is the Democrat most able to win the general election. This is already shaping up to be a nasty, no-hold-barred election cycle. Republicans are mean! And they won't give up the presidency without a fight. In order to win the White House, the Democrats need to nominate a candidate who will run a near-perfect campaign - warding off the swift boaters of 2008. While other campaigns have made one rookie mistake after another, Hillary's campaign thus far has been practically flawless. We Democrats can't afford rookie mistakes in the general election.
As for swift boaters, Hillary is the only candidate who has weathered years of Republican attacks and come out alive - and elected (twice) - on the other side. It is telling that Hillary is ahead in both primary and general election polls, despite being subjected to more than a decade of mudslinging. Her opponents in the primary have yet to be subjected to intense Republican attacks, and there's no telling what their poll numbers - or their composure - will look like when they are.
Finally, politically correct or not, something else about Hillary makes me more excited about this presidential election than any other in my lifetime: she would be the first woman president. While I don't support Hillary solely because she is a woman, I can't deny that the prospect of a woman in the Oval Office is thrilling. By shattering the thickest glass ceiling, a Hillary Clinton presidency would be incredibly meaningful to me, as well as to countless other women and men across this country and around the world.
On the campaign trail, Hillary talks about meeting 90-year-old women who shake her hand and say that they were born before women had the right to vote. These women can't believe that they might live to see a woman president.
I can't wait until the day when little girls can stop saying, "I want to be the first woman president," and start saying, "I want to be president." I'm proud to be a supporter of a campaign that is so historically significant, and thrilled that, in 2008, I can support a woman for president who is truly the best person for the job.
Emily Schmitt worked on the Clinton campaign in the summer of 2007. Her views are her own.
That's why I support Hillary Clinton for president. The leadership, knowledge, and social capital she's developed over decades of public service make her most qualified to clean up Bush's messes at home and abroad, and to set us back on track for a progressive future. She is also the Democrat most likely to win the general election - and I'm thrilled about the history she would make along the way.
For me, competence is the number one issue in this election. We've seen what eight years of a bumbling leader can do for the country. America needs someone who can get stuff done starting on day one in the Oval Office - not someone who needs to learn on the job. In this election, Clinton is the candidate of competence. Why?
First, she knows the issues. Clinton's years of national policy experience - from her time at the Children's Defense Fund to her work on the State Children Health Insurance program, to her tenure on the Senate Armed Services committee - have given her the depth of knowledge she needs to address today's most pressing policy issues.
Second, she has the social capital to get things done. The bipartisan relationships she's formed, particularly during her Senate years, will help her navigate the legislative process and push policy through Congress.
And while some consider "insider" a dirty word, Hillary's eight years in the White House and eight years in the Senate are one of her greatest assets. The fact is that our founders set up a complex and often convoluted system of government, and an effective president needs a firm understanding of how to navigate the intricate processes of Washington. Hillary's substantive experience in both the executive and the legislative branches has uniquely prepared her to navigate this system.
Of course, none of these qualities matter unless Clinton is elected, which is why it is also important that Hillary is the Democrat most able to win the general election. This is already shaping up to be a nasty, no-hold-barred election cycle. Republicans are mean! And they won't give up the presidency without a fight. In order to win the White House, the Democrats need to nominate a candidate who will run a near-perfect campaign - warding off the swift boaters of 2008. While other campaigns have made one rookie mistake after another, Hillary's campaign thus far has been practically flawless. We Democrats can't afford rookie mistakes in the general election.
As for swift boaters, Hillary is the only candidate who has weathered years of Republican attacks and come out alive - and elected (twice) - on the other side. It is telling that Hillary is ahead in both primary and general election polls, despite being subjected to more than a decade of mudslinging. Her opponents in the primary have yet to be subjected to intense Republican attacks, and there's no telling what their poll numbers - or their composure - will look like when they are.
Finally, politically correct or not, something else about Hillary makes me more excited about this presidential election than any other in my lifetime: she would be the first woman president. While I don't support Hillary solely because she is a woman, I can't deny that the prospect of a woman in the Oval Office is thrilling. By shattering the thickest glass ceiling, a Hillary Clinton presidency would be incredibly meaningful to me, as well as to countless other women and men across this country and around the world.
On the campaign trail, Hillary talks about meeting 90-year-old women who shake her hand and say that they were born before women had the right to vote. These women can't believe that they might live to see a woman president.
I can't wait until the day when little girls can stop saying, "I want to be the first woman president," and start saying, "I want to be president." I'm proud to be a supporter of a campaign that is so historically significant, and thrilled that, in 2008, I can support a woman for president who is truly the best person for the job.
Emily Schmitt worked on the Clinton campaign in the summer of 2007. Her views are her own.
Be the first to comment on this story