Hillary calls out GOP field by name -- and it's not by accident

[magical thyme]

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/hillary-clinton-calls-out-republicans-name-its-no-accident-n370431

In her speech in Texas yesterday, Hillary Clinton offered policy proposals to expand voting rights. She called for at least 20 days of early voting in states, as well as automatic voter registration -- when American citizens turns 18, they are automatically registered to vote, unless they opt out. But for the first time since becoming a presidential candidate, Clinton also called out the GOP field when it comes to voting rights:

•"Here in Texas, former Gov. Rick Perry signed a law that a federal court said was actually written with the purpose of discriminating against minority voters. He applauded when the Voting Rights Act was gutted, and said the lost protections were "outdated and unnecessary."
•"In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker cut back early voting and signed legislation that would make it harder -- for college students to vote."
•"In New Jersey, Governor Christie vetoed legislation to extend early voting."
•"And in Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000."

As Hillary is beginning to ramp up her campaign before her big rally next Saturday, calling out Republicans by name isn't an accident: She's trying to make them her foil (just as the GOP candidates have been doing to her). And so while the Martin O'Malleys are competing with Hillary, she's making her competition the GOP field.

[jeff47]

1. How, exactly, would she accidentally call out the GOP field by name? (nt)

[magical thyme]

2. 1. I didn't write the headline or article, lol

2. the point they are making is that it was a strategic decision, not a blunder or happenstance.

I actually think other than her occasional gaffes, she's running a brilliant campaign so far. Kudos to her team for that.

I think her biggest challenges are, so far:
1. Overcoming "Clinton fatigue", i.e. present a fresh face after being in the public eye for a couple decades. Her video announcement about "starting new stuff" did that. On viewing it, I was cringing at the cheesy overacting leading up to her. And then she came on, and due to the actors cheesy overacting, she came across as real and normal. I don't know if it was deliberate or one of those happy accidents, but it worked.

2. Potentially hostile press. By ignoring them, she's keeping control of her message (also preventing gaffes) and able to spring surprises (like the auto-voter registration announcement today). Eventually she will have to sit down with them, but by limiting their access she limits their ability to do damage.

3. By springing surprises, like the auto-voter registration announcement, she's able to re-define herself. The GOP has already defined her; instead of playing their game, she is trying to force them to play hers.

Time will tell how it works. Personally, I support Bernie because of my key issues. But her campaign, given her specific challenges, I think has been very smart.

[jeff47]

5. I know. It's just a dig at the headline.

Along with amusing thoughts on how you can accidentally say "Rick Perry" or "Santorum".

As for her campaign, speeches are worth the air they are written on. There is zero penalty for lying in a campaign in the US.

If a politician proposes something in a speech and their history doesn't back that up, I'm not going to believe the speech without a detailed explanation as to the change in position.

For example, Clinton entered the Senate in 2001. Just after a big wave of voter purges, including the purge that helped deliver FL to W. Where's the proposals for increased voting in her Senate career? And another speech is not a proposal. Senators get to introduce bills. Sure, such a bill probably would never get out of committee, but it would show consistency on this position.

[magical thyme]

7. her speeches don't sway me.

I'm just reporting on some news. I think she's running an excellent campaign given her particular challenges. That doesn't mean I believe her, because I don't.

Why do you think she's going with automatic voter registration right now? Because it's a win/win/win.

1. It changes the subject away from TPP.
2. It gives her something she can directly attack the GOP with.
3. her 1% pals have no objection to it? Why is that? Because the ISDS chapter of TPP renders voting completely irrelevent.

The bottom line is that it's a bone that the 1% doesn't mind tossing to voters because once they get the ISDS chapter through, voting will become completely irrelevent. They will be able to control everything -- food, water, fuel, air, environment, everything via threat of lawsuit in front of international tribunal of corporate lawyers empowered to levy unlimited fines and seize assets as compensation.

[yeoman6987]

3. Secretary Clinton has my vote

The details of automatic registration will have to be flashed out. First thing I thought of was what party to put them into? And if it is just general registration, does all the parties get the mailing list of these new registered voters? I am not sure I'd want to get a bunch of RNC info in either mail or e-mail. Great idea but just the process needs discussed.

[MineralMan]

4. Hillary Clinton is making voting rights a major issue in her

campaign. It's an outstanding issue to take up. I hope she carries this through the campaign and keeps being specific about Republicans who are trying to destroy voting rights.

I'm 100% behind her on this. I can't think of a better issue to champion for her.

[samsingh]

6. good for her. she's doing all the right things