Clinton embraces populist themes in policy speech

[DonViejo]

By Tom Hamburger

Hillary Rodham Clinton used a Friday speech on income inequality to lay out populist themes that have been increasingly embraced by the Democratic Party base whose support she would seek if she runs for president.

In the remarks, among the most specific Clinton has offered on domestic policy since she stepped down as secretary of state, she lamented the strains the American middle class faces and the luxurious position of the super-rich.

“For too many families in America today .?.?. the dream of upward mobility that made this country a model for the world feels further and further out of reach,” Clinton told a meeting of policymakers, journalists and academics convened by the New America Foundation.

“Many Americans,” she said, “understandably feel frustrated, even angry.”

more
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-embraces-populist-themes-in-policy-speech/2014/05/16/2f2814b6-dd20-11e3-8009-71de85b9c527_story.html

[Enthusiast]

1. Yes, Hillary. Maybe we can enact a few new free trade deals. That will fix things up.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. Perhaps you should look at her record rather than just jump on the hate bandwagon.

In 2005, Clinton voted against ratification of the Central America Free Trade Agreement,believing that it did not provide adequate environmental or labor standards. In this she differed with her husband, who supported CAFTA; the ratification was successful.

The idea that as a first lady she would criticize her husband is ludicrous. Further, her husband passed NAFTA like Obama shut down the government. History is all over the internet if you can read through the bull shit.

[Enthusiast]

23. I have absolutely no hatred toward Hillary. Why would you suggest I do? Because I criticize her?

No political candidate is perfect. And those politicians that promote the interests of corporations and the .01% at the expense of the American working class are especially imperfect.

It would have been better had the Central America Free Trade Agreement never existed.

I'm not sure what happened with Hillary in 2005 to change her mind.

But we know she has spoken favorably of the TPP since then.

Contrary to your assertion, Bill Clinton campaigned in favor of NAFTA. Al Gore argued in favor of NAFTA against Ross Perot on CNN's Crossfire.

I watched that little exchange live.

If I was a Hillary supporter I would be trying to change history too.

[VanillaRhapsody]

34. are you going to vote for her if she wins the Primary?

[Enthusiast]

46. That remains to be seen.

[VanillaRhapsody]

51. no it is an easy question if you are really an "enthusiastic Democrat"

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Talk is cheap.

Is she going to put in writing that she'll enact populist policies and block oligarchic ones, and resign if she fails to live up to such promises? Or is she simply saying what voters want to hear, and plans to go back to her Walmart board of directors and Goldman Sachs speech stances as soon as she's handed power?

[Chan790]

4. Exactly.

If she wants my support as an economic populist...this ain't cutting it.

She needs to start out by repudiating Bill's economic policies and the DLC/Third-Way. Come out against Keystone XL and TPP. She needs to undertake some bloodletting from her previous conservative economic stances which she tried to buttress with progressive rhetoric.

In short, she needs to not be Hillary Clinton anymore.

Edit: I forgot labor. She needs to embrace organized labor over her Wall Street paymasters.

[joshcryer]

8. She will.

As part of her platform she will distance herself from Bill.

Hell, she did that in 2008, coming out against NAFTA, but no one gave her credit for that.

[Whisp]

11. Sorry, josh. Hillary did not speak out against NAFTA when it could have done some good.

She supported it, there are documents and vids showing this.

She claimed to be against Nafta in the 2008 primaries, but it was another lie like so many others.
I just can't trust anyone who can lie so often and about so many things. I expect politicians to play with the truth here and there, but not like she does. She is the Champ of Lies and Confabulations on the Dem side and it's frightening that people are accepting this.

[joshcryer]

15. See?

The right will fuel the "Clinton a liar meme." And many will fall for it.

Obama only came out against NAFTA after she did, but he never attempted to re-negotiate.

I think Clinton would have.

[Whisp]

20. She claimed she was against NAFTA all along

not just when Obama came out against it during the primaries, but she claimed she didn't support it when it was passed during Bill Clinton's admin so I can't believe that she would have re-negotiated if she won the Presidency not when Bill considers NAFTA one of his successes.

Here is Obama talking about NAFTA and what Hillary said when, and the Shame on You shameful tirade.

Hillary Clinton gives the Republicans plenty of fuel all on her own. They don't have to make up stuff like they like to do. Consider how she claimed to help bring peace to Ireland and her story about Tuzla. Her team was so desperate to claw back up the numbers during the campaign they went nuts and went for broke but should have considered that those unfortunate remarks were going to be used against her one day if she ever met up with the Repuglicans in a Presidential race. There is no getting around the fact that she lies. That is all on her head and her management team.

[joshcryer]

22. We see what Obama did with NAFTA.

Didn't even set up a commission.

I think Clinton would have done something.

[Beacool]

57. Hillary was initially against NAFTA while first lady.

I'm racking my brain at the moment and I can't remember in whose book I read a segment about this issue and Hillary (I read it years ago). In it, this person describes Hillary's opposition to parts of NAFTA and how he (the author of the book) took her out to the rose garden and they discussed the issue at length. I don't know how much she agreed with, but she ended up supporting her husband in public.

[VanillaRhapsody]

35. I believe she was First Lady then.....

How is she going to go against her husband the President? Can you imagine Michelle Obama even doing that?

ridic.

[djean111]

40. We are constantly exhorted to regard her first lady-ship as accomplishment. Pick one stance.

I see an awful lot of rhetoric about Hillary, but not much from her. Certainly not as much as Goldman-Sachs gets.
Do we have to chip in to raise $200,000 in order to find out what she really intends, with some details?
Has she learned from Obama's misstep in spouting campaign rhetoric that can be replayed over and over again when actions don't match promises? Yeah, he got reelected, but he may have ruined the campaign blathering say anything to get elected for the next candidate.
I no longer think it a good use of my time listening to 99.9% of political speeches. Why bother.

[VanillaRhapsody]

42. Then perhaps you should do some research....instead of waiting for it to be spoon fed to you..

Here let me get started...here is a site with tons of the information you are expecting...

http://www.ontheissues.org/hillary_clinton.htm


Hillary Clinton is a Populist-Leaning Liberal.

[djean111]

47. Seen that graph about 1000 times. That is what is being spoon-fed to me.

I do not think she is a populist-leaning liberal.
TPP for starters.
Deeds, not words and graphs.
And that graph is just an opinion, too.

[VanillaRhapsody]

49. You are seeing it...

that graph is NOT an opinion my friend...it has TONS of data to back it up....

Go to the site and see HOW they support this "opinion".

for example: On Jobs...

No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased. (Jul 2007)
Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
Stand up for unions; organize for fair wages. (Jun 2007)
Get tough with China and bring jobs back home. (Feb 2007)
Minimum wage increases haven’t kept up with Congress’ wages. (Dec 2006)
Passed 2 planks of 7-plank platform, “New Jobs for New York”. (Oct 2006)
Minimum wage should be tied to congressional salaries. (Jun 2006)
Pushed for extension of unemployment insurance. (Feb 2004)
The working poor deserve a living wage. (Oct 1999)
America can afford to raise the minimum wage. (Sep 1999)
Recently “we’re in it together” became “you’re on your own”. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Nov 2008)
Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
Sponsored bill linking minimum wage to Congress' pay raises. (May 2006)
Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
Sponsored bill enforcing against gender pay discrimination. (Jan 2009)

[Whisp]

53. Agreed. Why did she say she was against it when she wasn't?

Of course she wouldn't be expected to challenge Bill's decisions while she was First Lady. That is ridic.

[VanillaRhapsody]

54. BUT.....and this is a big But!

She doesn't have to support her husband now.....that was then...this is now...

[Whisp]

55. did you just say I have a big but?

[VanillaRhapsody]

56. I like them and I cannot lie!

[HooptieWagon]

7. +1000

Talk IS cheap. She was a US Senator for 6 years... did she introduce ANY populist legislation? Since Barak Obama has broken so many campaign promises, why should we believe HRC who has NO track record as a populist? Beware the Trojan Horse Third Way candidates, they make promises, but embrace Wall St once elected.

[joshcryer]

9. Yes.

[Evergreen Emerald]

12. Have you even checked what her record was in the senate? Or would facts get in the way?

"Did she introduce ANY..." Shouldn't you check before you rush to judgment? You are certainly adamant in your opinion...based on....what?

Her record:

100% NARAL, planned parenthood and NOW rating. Pro choice on all votes
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage - supports full marriage equality
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment
Supports arts education and the Nat. Endowment for the arts
Pro- public education ( based on her voting record)
Voted NO on drilling in ANWR
Scored 100% by the Humane Society
Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition
went against Bill and does not support NAFTA
voted against CAFTA
supports same day voter registration - against voter id laws
supported verified paper ballot for every electronic voting machine
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence
pro stem cell research
believes in climate change
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing.
has voted yes on all minimum wage increases

voted No on Alito and Roberts for the Supreme court

100% rating by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Positions
100% rating by Alliance for Retired Americans
100% rating by the NEA ( National Education Association )
100% rating by the NAACP

A= rating by United To End Genocide - Positions on Darfur

LOL - new one: F- rating by Gun Owners of America - Positions on Gun Rights

Lifetime AFL-CIO score = 94%

Most information above taken from: http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/55463/hillary-clinton#.UuwtqPldXp9
and http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/55463/hillary-clinton#.UuwuSfldXp8


http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/hillary-clinton-and-patty-murray

[HooptieWagon]

14. Her score on social issues isn't questioned....

It's her career as a Corporatist that is. From being on BoD of Walmart, giving them legal advice on fighting unionization; to being a founding member of DLC (with Koch financing), to just the other day getting $200,000 from Goldman Sachs for a speech. Do you think she gave a populist or progressive toned speech to G-S? Gee, now that the Dem Party base is totally fed up with Corporatist policies, she's trying to backstroke away from her long history. But talk is cheap, and promises often broken (as we well know from the current inhabitant of the WH). Sorry, I need to see more than recent talk.

[joshcryer]

16. So that is more important than social issues?

[HooptieWagon]

17. IMO, right now it is.

Is gay marriage all that important, if they are virtually slaves? Is gun control more important than pollution? Yes, social issues are important... but its also important to recognize that the corporations that control govt use those social issues to keep us divided, and them in charge.

[joshcryer]

18. If you improve social issues you strengthen the party.

If you improve economic issues the party does not get credit.

[HooptieWagon]

19. I disagree 100%.

WTF good does it do for the 99% if the chices at the ballot box are between two corporatist parties.? Yippie, gays can get married... but are they really better off if the "American dream" is no longer within reach? 30 years of wage stagnation, 30 years of climbing cost of living. Half the population lives in poverty or near-poverty. Good paying jobs disappeared overseas. Pension funds robbed by corporate raiders. And now Obama and other Turd Way Dems willing to put SS cuts on the table? At this rate, we won't be a third world country for long... we'll keep on going downhill into neo-feudalism.

[joshcryer]

21. Clinton refused to put SS on the table.

I dunno, I think SS is a social, not economic, issue.

The only economic issues are taxes and banksters. No one is going to go after the bankers. They will be above prosecution by 2018 and two years is not enough time for a solid investigation.

[djean111]

41. If you were living on Social Security, it damn well would be a fucking economic issue.

And now the GOP can say the Dems put it on the table. Average voter doesn't know about magical chess, or would just snort with derision.

[joshcryer]

59. Obama promised to do it, before being elected.

[Enthusiast]

24. If my party improves economic issues I give them credit.

If they behave as if they are Republicans on economic issues they are worse than useless.

Economic issues decide everything. Most of the nation is already with us on social issues. The knuckle draggers are being left behind in a cloud of dust on social issues.

[joshcryer]

25. The economy has always improved under Democrats.

Largely because Democrats, while they embrace corporatism, they also push regulations, which is what reigns in capitalism.

But, yet, unbelievably, the Democrats never get credit for the economy improving due to their regulations.

I'm going to make a prediction, Clinton is going to be one heck of a populist, and she'll throw some amazing regulations into the mix, and she won't get credit for it. She won't get credit when she says she's for it (she'll be called a liar like in this thread) and she won't get credit when the laws pass (the republicans will likely get credit in her steed).

It's going to be an amazing election season baring health issues preventing her from running.

[djean111]

28. Kind of boggling to read that the most important thing is Party, not people.

The Democratic Party has become something that does not help people economically, and no one is naive enough to believe that if we held Congress and the presidency, the Dems would then become liberal economically.
Using social vs economic is bogus. As if both cannot be addressed
A Sophie's Choice, that, and does not hold water.

[joshcryer]

30. Without the Party there can be no improvement for the people.

This is basic civics.

If you have resigned yourself to thinking that the Democratic Party only represents corporations, there is nothing that can change your mind, and thus, discussion ends here.

[djean111]

32. Yes, it does. I think that SOME Democrats are for the people. But not the Party as a whole.

Except for getting people to vote.
Pritzker, Wheeler, Duncan, TPP, Pete Peterson, TPP (to name a very few) - it is not the 99% who are benefiting. Unless you believe in trickle down shit.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

36. Paul Krugman's piece on Tim Geither tore into a related point.

Geithner's mantra during his time in office was pure 'trickle down' economics. "Save the bankers, save the world" - do everything you can to help banks, bankers, and shareholders, while screwing over the homeowners right and left. And somehow this largesse to the rich was, yet again, supposed to magically help the people who were screwed BY the bankers. When the major economic appointments by the current administration are recycled Goldman-Sachs folks who continue the same supply-side economics practiced by prior Republican administrations, we're obviously going to wind up with 'solutions' to the crashed economy that send 95% or so of 'recovery' to the plutocrats, and leave the rest of us fighting over crumbs.

We HAVE to see a party that works to help the rest of us visibly, or they're going to continue to have elections where people on the left are apathetic towards politics as a tool to effect changes that help us.

[winter is coming]

60. +1. There are individual exceptions, but that's true for the party as a whole, and it's hurting us.

Yet over and over again, I've seen that dismissed with a derisive, "So you're going to vote for the Republican, huh?" as if that is a magic putdown that will squelch all doubt.

I've seen no one here deny that the GOP is doing its best to keep the 99% down. That's not going to be enough to get people to vote for us. We need to show that the Dems are working hard to help people up, and far too many of them aren't.

[VanillaRhapsody]

37. Yep....

Hillary Clinton is a Populist-Leaning Liberal.

Furthermore:

Hillary Clinton on Jobs
No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased. (Jul 2007)
Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
Stand up for unions; organize for fair wages. (Jun 2007)
Get tough with China and bring jobs back home. (Feb 2007)
Minimum wage increases haven’t kept up with Congress’ wages. (Dec 2006)
Passed 2 planks of 7-plank platform, “New Jobs for New York”. (Oct 2006)
Minimum wage should be tied to congressional salaries. (Jun 2006)
Pushed for extension of unemployment insurance. (Feb 2004)
The working poor deserve a living wage. (Oct 1999)
America can afford to raise the minimum wage. (Sep 1999)
Recently “we’re in it together” became “you’re on your own”. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Nov 2008)
Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
Sponsored bill linking minimum wage to Congress' pay raises. (May 2006)
Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
Sponsored bill enforcing against gender pay discrimination. (Jan 2009)

Hillary Clinton on Free Trade
Click here for 24 full quotes on Free Trade OR other political leaders on Free Trade.
Have a trade prosecutor to enforce the trade agreements. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: Supported NAFTA in 1998; opposed CAFTA since 2005. (Jan 2008)
Criticized trade pacts for weak labor standards. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: for NAFTA while First Lady; now against CAFTA. (Oct 2007)
Export from big agribusiness, but also from small farmers. (Aug 2007)
Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers. (Aug 2007)
No fast-track authority for this president. (Aug 2007)
Better approach: real trade adjustment assistance. (Aug 2007)
End tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. (Jun 2007)
Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India. (Oct 2005)
Globalization should not substitute for humanization. (Jun 1999)
Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights. (Oct 2000)
Voting Record

Voting Record
Though Bill supported it, Hillary opposed NAFTA. (Oct 2007)
Voted against CAFTA despite Bill Clinton’s pushing NAFTA. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Build a rule-based global trading system. (Aug 2000)
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

[cantbeserious]

27. + 10,000 n/t

--------

[flpoljunkie]

3. Hillary's populist speech discussed on Up with Steve Kornacki on MSNBC

Anna Marie Cox pointed out that Bill Clinton's welfare reform led to income inequality while Kornacki pointed out that, to be fair, Clinton did raise income taxes on the rich.

[Evergreen Emerald]

6. Yes, and Obama shut down the government

And it's all Michelle's fault

[Scuba]

5. Sorry, Hillary, too late. We're on to you ...

[Whisp]

10. and on Saturday she got $200,000 from the likes of Goldman Sachs

I wonder if she talked about income inequality to those folks - more like - I can get more income for you, quality big income.

I can't believe anything she says is honest, sorry! Just can't buy that.

[joshcryer]

26. Good for her.

I hope she gets millions from America's oligarchs.

Because I know unlike most other candidates, she will do what she thinks is best, and not listen to idiotic advisers like Obama who surrounded himself with neocons. Clinton's cabinet will almost 100% assuredly be partisan, unlike Obama who thought it was to his credit to surround himself with the other side.

[djean111]

29. What she thinks is best - for who? Wall Street, is my opinion.

Partisan - interesting word, when so many Dems are Third Way Corporatists.
Trade deals? She fucking helped put the TPP together and has championed it.
Also I am afraid one of Obama's big accomplishments is that what a politician says and what a politician does are two entirely different things.
Don't think there is much credulity left.

[joshcryer]

31. Obama prided himself on having Republicans in his cabinet.

If you for once think Clinton will do so, you have a real surprise coming. This is a woman who coined the term "great right wing conspiracy." This is the woman who fought tooth and nail for woman equality. She won't stand for that bullshit.

Obama literally had the most bipartisan / Republican cabinet in modern history. It was insane.

Clinton will surround herself with anti-right wingers. Her policy will be to destroy them. And that, she will. Especially if she selects Castro as her running mate which is what is looking to be likely with his ascendency to HUD.

[djean111]

33. I would have to hear that from Hillary herself. On paper. On youtube or whatever.

Already been surprised, by the way, at the dissonance between what Obama campaigned on and what he proposed, who he appointed.
He may have poisoned the well of campaign rhetoric, due to the internet.
I think Castro would be fantastic for vote-getting, then be sidelined for 4-8 years. Unless he decides to run, himself, in 2020.

[VanillaRhapsody]

39. castro?

[djean111]

43. Julian, not Fidel. Just got tapped for H.U.D.

[VanillaRhapsody]

38. Do you think someone could get elected without money today?

in this environment? Is that "credible"

[djean111]

44. Oh, you are right. So why the fuck bother with caring about what will actually get done, right?

We seem to have entirely given up on that, and have settled for scoring a win.
Like two football teams with unlimited funds for players.

[VanillaRhapsody]

45. Because it cannot happen....

"wish in one hand...." as my deceased Grandmother always said...

[djean111]

48. So, basically, all that matters is the win. Gotcha. Let's keep doing this and see what happens.

Why even campaign at all? Just keep a running campaign chest total and dispense with the bullshit promises.
Set Congress and the Presidency up as the corporations they are.

[VanillaRhapsody]

50. It matters that the Republicans DON'T!

Get THAT???

[djean111]

52. Oh, I GOT it, thank you very much. I fucking well GET it!

What I also GET is that I no longer think the Dems will help the people much.
I would like a third way that is not The Third Way.
The current status quo is not something I buy into any more.
We are actually told "lesser evil", for fuck's sake.

[DonCoquixote]

58. not like Obama

Geitner and Begalla and others were old clinton stooges. Obama failed because he did not give us what we wanted, the purging out of Clinton dinos.

And if you think Hillary will allow librals to be on the cabinet, ask her why she loves working with her friend Jonh McCain.

[antigop]

61. She also co-founded the Senate India caucus with John Cornyn. nt