Clinton flip-flops on needle exchange in less than five months

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1107/Clintons_needle_exchange.html

November 27, 2007

Clinton's needle exchange

The Times mentions in passing today in its story on Clinton's new HIV/AIDS proposals that Hillary "also backs federal financing for needle exchange programs, as do Mr. Edwards and Mr. Obama."

That's a dramatic shift from her previous stance, and from her husband's, a move away from their trademark pragmatism and toward something a bit closer to liberal purity.

The changed position is worth pausing over because needle exchange was the subject of one of the campaign's most illuminating moments, during a New York City event at which an AIDS activist, Charlie King, pressed Clinton on her husband's rejection of recommendations that the federal government back needle exchange programs.

I wrote about the exchange, which was caught on video, in July.

"Well, because we knew we couldn't maintain it politically," Clinton said, and went on to discuss the trade-offs in that dispute with Congress. "I wish life and politics were easier," she said.

King then referred back to Clinton's opening remarks.

"You made a great comment earlier about how our next president needs to have some spine," he said.

"We’ll have as much spine as we possibly can, under the circumstances," Clinton responded.

Needle exchange is a marginal issue in the presidential contest, but the argument about how far out the candidates should step on the policy limb isn't. This is what the Journal quoted Clinton aides calling her "responsibility gene," but it's really about a philosophy of governing: Clinton is focused on picking her battles, and picking battles she can win once she's elected. She's reluctant to take stances in the primary that will hurt her in the general election or limit her options in the White House.

You can call that pragmatism and readiness; or too much caution, too little vision. Certainly, Hillary seems to lack Obama's confidence in the ability of a President to shape public opinion, and to lead against it. It's a complicated, substantive argument. But it's also one in which the primary seems, finally, to be forcing her out of her comfort zone.

[DemKR]

1. better than having anti-gay speakers at your events n/t

[PresidentObama]

3. Almost as good as saying you'll consider 'Racist Ron' as your running mate.

[cuke]

4. Plus the OP is wrong about it being about HRC's position 5 months ago

Her comments refer to what Bill did EIGHT YEARS AGO, not 5 months ago. She made the comments 5 months ago but they refer to events that occurred when Bill was president. It says that clearly in the article the OP quoted.

[flpoljunkie]

5. "Well, because we knew we couldn't maintain it politically," Political cowardice, plain and simple.

Well, because we knew we couldn't maintain it politically," Clinton said, and went on to discuss the trade-offs in that dispute with Congress. "I wish life and politics were easier," she said.

[cuke]

6. So now you're changing your story

You started out claiming Hillary "flip flopped" (not surprised to see another Obama supporter use another rightwing meme) and now you've "flip flopped" onto "Hillary is a coward"

Decide which one of the many voices in your head you're going to listen and let us know.

[flpoljunkie]

8. No, she refused to take a stand, just whined about how difficult it was to take a position, and now

she has decided to take the plunge, after saying five months ago...

"We’ll have as much spine as we possibly can, under the circumstances," Clinton responded.

[cuke]

9. So where's the flip flop?

You say she changed her position. Now you're complainng that she didn't take a position. How many voices you got jabbering away in there?

[rinsd]

18. Except she was explaining a situation from 8 years ago.

Nice try though.

[cuke]

2. Where's the change in position?

She has always favored needle exchanges. She doesn't didn't think this proposal had the necessary political support EIGHT YEARS AGO (NOT five months) ago. Now, she thinks this proposal does have the necessary political support.

She has always thought that needle exchanges are a good thing and she still thinks that. Furthermore, her comments refer to what Bill did EIGHT YEARS AGO, not 5 months ago. She made the comments 5 months ago but they refer to events that occurred when Bill was president. It says that clearly in the article YOU quoted.

[Cameron27]

7. Thanks cuke.

Good debunking...and it's needed around here.

[MethuenProgressive]

10. Where's the "flip flop"? The OP is apparently misleading.

Certainly not on purpose?

[AlGore-08.com]

11. "We’ll have as much spine as we possibly can, under the circumstances," Clinton responded.

Too bad that's too long for a bumpersticker...

[cuke]

12. You must be very disappointed

After all, we all know that bumperstickers are the height of political discourse for some. What a shame you have to use your own words if you want to discuss this issue

[AlGore-08.com]

13. What, I can't use Hillary Clinton's words to discuss Hillary Clinton?

That quote is everything that's wrong with her "leadership" style in a nutshell. The country is barreling down the drain at warp speed and she doesn't even pretend that she's going to try to tackle anything tough. She's only going to do what can be accomplished taking the path of least resistance. How is that leadership?

Did Washington or Jefferson or Lincoln or FDR only go for the low hanging fruit? In times of great trouble, was their first response to chastise the voters for expecting them to show a little spine? Did Lincoln tell the slaves "I wish life was easier" and move on? Did FDR scrap "The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself" in favor of "We'll do as much as is politically feasible, but don't hold us to that promise"?

Hillary Clinton has accomplished nothing important or difficult as a Senator - - or before. Her biggest accomplishment is she raised a boat load of money, using a political machine created by her husband for the sole purpose of supporting their political careers. All she will do if she's the nominee is loose a race we should have won in a walk. And if by some miracle she does win (if there's a strong 3rd party challenge or the Republican nominee is caught sleeping with a farm animal), all she is going to do is the easy stuff - - like photo ops and signing tax cuts into law. That's all she has ever promised to to.

[cuke]

14. You can use Clinton's words

I merely suggested you might find it difficult to use your own words

And Hillary has accomplished far more than Obama, the faker

[jefferson_dem]

17. A Hillay supporter calling another candidate "a faker"...

Classic! You guys are a hoot!

[jgraz]

15. I'm guessing Hillary's even more disappointed

She wanted that for her campaign slogan.

[Imagevision]

16. Cuke, it was only a matter of time before Bill finally put his foot in his mouth now Hillary

is peobably telling him to shuit the fuck up already! I'm the one who's running for president dick-head!

[bvar22]

19. Typical.

"We’ll have as much spine as we possibly can, under the circumstances," Clinton responded.

I would be laughing if it wasn't so sad.
THIS is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, totally afraid to Take a Stand on something a simple as Having a Spine!

Nobody will ever be able to hold Hillary to account, one way or the other, on the issue of "Having a Spine".

DoubleSpeak!
HillarySpeak!



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[itsrobert]

20. Props to Hillary for holding a position for almost 5 months

That's a new record for her, isn't it?

[Dr. Strange]

22. Yeah...unfortunately, I picked seven months when I entered the pool.

Crap, there's five bucks I'm never gonna see again. x(

[AtomicKitten]

21. I know people probably think this is mean, but

this kind of stuff writes itself for attack ads in the general election.

We best pay attention now, eh?