During her post-Iowa caucus speech last night, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said, “I am a progressive….who gets things done for people.” As I watched Clinton’s speech, that line stuck with me, because I’m having a hard time figuring out where she stands.
After all it was just a few months ago (back in September 2015) that Clinton announced she was an unapologetic “moderate and center” candidate.
Hillary Clinton confessed Thursday to something liberals have long suspected: being a moderate Democrat.
“You know, I get accused of being kind of moderate and center,” Clinton told the audience at a Women for Hillary event in Ohio. “I plead guilty.”
The line is new for Clinton, who spent a large portion of her early campaign casting herself as a liberal fighter who has been progressive for her entire life. To many on the left, those lines never really rang true.
“I take a backseat to no one,” Clinton told a New Hampshire audience in July, “When you look at my record in standing up and fighting for progressive values.”
I understand that Clinton is now attempting to take up the progressive mantle in an attempt to avoid being outflanked by Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, but this latest turn by Hillary Clinton back towards being a progressive is yet another example of her willingness to be a political chameleon in order to win an election.
‘Progressive’ is not the dirty word it was even a few months ago, and this represents a wonderful change in the conversation. Bernie may not win but he’s doing so much good just by keeping progressive issues in the forefront. I hope it has long-term benefits, but … as for Hillary saying what she has to, to get elected, I seem to recall a certain president promising to put on his comfy shoes and march with union members. And we know where that went.
I think all three candidates deserve credit for talking about progressive ideas in an adult and non-abstract manner during the debates. America isn’t suddenly afraid of “progressive” politics any more, at least for the most part.
Let’s ‘s be fair in allowing changes of political position or even party identity. I have no problem with a Democrat being a moderate on some issues or a progressive on others.
Both Bernie and Hillary are good persons and well qualified, but I will vote for Hillary as the most qualified just as did for her over the less experienced Obama previously.
Let’s remember:
Bernie was a member of the socialist part early in life.
He ran for mayor and Governor as a third party candidate
The Senate lists Bernie as having no party affiliation.
Bernie was elected as a Senator as an Independent.
Bernie filed for the Presidential campaign as a Democrat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders
I will rejoice and fully support either who is elected to oppose the Republican candidate.