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- Jun 27, 2011
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Hillary Clinton
Some of her more enthusiastic supporters describe Hillary Clinton as history's most qualified presidential candidate.
The New York Times editorial board placed her among "the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history."
Notable political analysts and historians have made similar claims.
It may be a lot of hype, and surely triggers a gag reflex among Clinton's fiercest detractors. Love or loath her, it's a supportable claim.
No one seeking the White House in the past 240 years has already lived and worked in it for eight years as a president's closest personal comrade. Clinton was not a traditional first lady. Then-President Bill Clinton considered her a top adviser and probably the highest ranking among them.
A Yale Law School graduate, Hillary Clinton was later elected twice to the United States Senate and appointed by President Barack Obama as secretary of state.
A nearly unprecedented litany of controversies and scandals blemish Clinton's extraordinary resume for the country's highest public office.
As a likely contender to serve as the first woman president, she is dogged by women who claim she bullied and threatened them into keeping quiet about claims Bill Clinton sexually harassed and even raped them. As a young lawyer, Clinton accepted a judge's order to defend a 41-year-old who raped a 12-year-old girl. In writing, Clinton accused the victim of fantasizing about older men and questioned the girl's command of truth. Today, the Arkansas rape shield law would protect the girl from the defense Clinton used.
Opponents criticize Clinton's handling of the terrorist attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
She is embattled by an infamous email scandal, involving use of a private email server and messaging system while serving as secretary of state. Her attorneys deleted and destroyed 33,000 emails under subpoena by Congress. Daily stacks of emails made public by WikiLeaks reveal what critics describe as an apparent "pay-to-play" scheme, in which large donations were made to the Clinton Foundation in return for access and political favors. Few dispute the email schemes violated federal laws and State Department protocols, but the FBI declined to recommend charges.
Clinton runs on a record of 30 years of public service but no background in business or private sector executive work. That brings up a concern. We've never seen a public servant — with no business, product or company — become so rich by trading in political prestige and influence. Somehow, since leaving the White House in debt 15 years ago, the Clintons have amassed a net worth in excess of $200 million.
It is fair to argue Clinton could become history's most scandal-ridden president-elect. It is also reasonable to argue she would begin her presidency as the most eminently qualified.
Americans voting on policy are wise to prioritize the United States Supreme Court. Clinton vows to appoint judges who will stand up to the powerful and rich, level the playing field and protect abortion rights.
She will raise taxes on the rich and work toward debt-free college for the middle class and poor. She campaigns consistently on a message of equality, promising a federal government that will benefit the poor and middle class at the expense of the rich. Economic growth is not a major theme.
For a large chunk of the electorate, this election is about overthrowing the establishment. For that demographic, Clinton is seen as a four-year extension of Obama and his liberal agenda.
Four more years would be fine for another substantial bloc of voters, who are pleased with Obama and consistently give him approval ratings at or above 55 percent.
In a deeply divided country, the election of Clinton would be controversial and tumultuous. So might be her defeat.
Some of her more enthusiastic supporters describe Hillary Clinton as history's most qualified presidential candidate.
The New York Times editorial board placed her among "the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history."
Notable political analysts and historians have made similar claims.
It may be a lot of hype, and surely triggers a gag reflex among Clinton's fiercest detractors. Love or loath her, it's a supportable claim.
No one seeking the White House in the past 240 years has already lived and worked in it for eight years as a president's closest personal comrade. Clinton was not a traditional first lady. Then-President Bill Clinton considered her a top adviser and probably the highest ranking among them.
A Yale Law School graduate, Hillary Clinton was later elected twice to the United States Senate and appointed by President Barack Obama as secretary of state.
A nearly unprecedented litany of controversies and scandals blemish Clinton's extraordinary resume for the country's highest public office.
As a likely contender to serve as the first woman president, she is dogged by women who claim she bullied and threatened them into keeping quiet about claims Bill Clinton sexually harassed and even raped them. As a young lawyer, Clinton accepted a judge's order to defend a 41-year-old who raped a 12-year-old girl. In writing, Clinton accused the victim of fantasizing about older men and questioned the girl's command of truth. Today, the Arkansas rape shield law would protect the girl from the defense Clinton used.
Opponents criticize Clinton's handling of the terrorist attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
She is embattled by an infamous email scandal, involving use of a private email server and messaging system while serving as secretary of state. Her attorneys deleted and destroyed 33,000 emails under subpoena by Congress. Daily stacks of emails made public by WikiLeaks reveal what critics describe as an apparent "pay-to-play" scheme, in which large donations were made to the Clinton Foundation in return for access and political favors. Few dispute the email schemes violated federal laws and State Department protocols, but the FBI declined to recommend charges.
Clinton runs on a record of 30 years of public service but no background in business or private sector executive work. That brings up a concern. We've never seen a public servant — with no business, product or company — become so rich by trading in political prestige and influence. Somehow, since leaving the White House in debt 15 years ago, the Clintons have amassed a net worth in excess of $200 million.
It is fair to argue Clinton could become history's most scandal-ridden president-elect. It is also reasonable to argue she would begin her presidency as the most eminently qualified.
Americans voting on policy are wise to prioritize the United States Supreme Court. Clinton vows to appoint judges who will stand up to the powerful and rich, level the playing field and protect abortion rights.
She will raise taxes on the rich and work toward debt-free college for the middle class and poor. She campaigns consistently on a message of equality, promising a federal government that will benefit the poor and middle class at the expense of the rich. Economic growth is not a major theme.
For a large chunk of the electorate, this election is about overthrowing the establishment. For that demographic, Clinton is seen as a four-year extension of Obama and his liberal agenda.
Four more years would be fine for another substantial bloc of voters, who are pleased with Obama and consistently give him approval ratings at or above 55 percent.
In a deeply divided country, the election of Clinton would be controversial and tumultuous. So might be her defeat.
