What has Hillary done as senator that should make me want to vote for her?

[yurbud]

Please leave out the personal attack stuff, claims that this is a personal attack, or the childish, nauseating, horse race bullshit. I concede up front that she is roughly as electable as the other top tier candidates.

But if Hillary Clinton were Hillary Smith and I never heard of her, what did she do in the Senate that should make me think she'll look after my interests as a member of the middle class? What legislation did she sponsor, what courageous stands did she take against the president, corporate interests, or the majority of her fellow senators?

There seem to be a dedicated cadre of Hillary supporters here, and I'm inviting you to make a substantive case for your candidate and earn my vote.

[peace frog]

1. No one can "convince" you of anything

so please feel free to research Mrs. Clinton on your own, and draw your own conclusions whether or not to vote for her.

[rucky]

8. The OP is doing research.

What's the point of having a forum if we can't exchange information?

[peace frog]

10. Share all the information you wish

Have at it. Carry on.

[spanone]

44. seems like a good question....this place is research

[eleny]

2. I hear crickets...

http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/489ss2.wav

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Don't waste your time

I have been asking for years: Tell me why I should vote for candidate X; I already know why I should not vote for candidate Y.

The only response I ever get is, "Shut up and do as you are told. Why do you hate America?"

[ClassWarrior]

4. Please respect the OP and the rest of us who are interested to learn.

We're going to need this information in the fall if we have to go door-to-door for her.

NGU.

[BuyingThyme]

5. It depends on what you're in to.

If you like war, she's good at supporting war.

What's your bag?

[flvegan]

6. She voted for the Patriot Act, making the US more secure.

:sarcasm:

[alfredo]

52. The biggest mistake was believing the Republicans when they said

they'd fix any problems with the Patriot Act next session. Taking them at their word was a big mistake.

The Senate has a tradition of trust and congeniality. The Repubs betrayed their colleagues trust.

[MonkeyFunk]

73. So did 97other senators

[mod mom]

7. I've wondered about all the foreign affairs experience she claims, as well.

My husband is an architect, yet I don't profess to experience in architecture merely from being married to him.

[southpaw]

9. Kicked and Recommended

I am really eager to see the sincere responses to this question.

Nothing substantive so far... but its early yet.

[Why Syzygy]

11. Driver's license reform?

No? Universal health care? No? Continuing the Bush*Clinton*Bush*Clinton Dynasty? Bingo!

[zeemike]

12. I will respect the OPs intentions and resist sarcasm

Which is all I really have.
But I would encourage Hillery supporters to jump in here and give us the good stuff....I know there must be some.

[durrrty libby]

13. These threads always turn into flamefests, and no surprise..it already started

DUer Perry Logan put together a little list. I'm sure he won't mind if I post it for you

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Education Association 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Children's Defense Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 91 percent in 2006.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 100 percent in 2005

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House).

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 80 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers 84 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 88 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 83 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Committee for an Effective Congress 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 100 percent in 2005.

According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 80 percent of the Senators.

According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on social policy issues than 83 percent of the Senators.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 92 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Bread for the World 100 percent in 2003-2004.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Partnership for the Homeless 100 percent in 2003-2004.
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can...

She was promoting universal coverage before it was cool. Furthermore she helped to create the SCHIP program. And most importantly she was dead on in the debate the other week where she said political will was the most important thing needed to push health care reform through and we know without a doubt she has that.

She has fougt unrelentingly for a woman's right to choose as well as women's rights both domestically and abroad

Create a Strategic Energy Fund - Hillary has proposed a Strategic Energy Fund that would inject $50 billion into research, development and deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, ethanol and other homegrown biofuels. Hillary's proposal would give oil companies a choice: invest in renewable energy or pay into the fund. Hillary's proposal would also eliminate oil company tax breaks and make sure that oil companies pay their fair share for drilling on public lands. Instead of sending billions of dollars to the Middle East for their oil, Hillary's proposal will create a new clean energy industry in America and create tens of thousands of jobs here.

Champion a Market-Based "Cap and Trade" Approach - Hillary supports a market-based, cap and trade approach to reducing carbon emissions and fight global warming. This approach was used successfully to limit sulfur dioxide and reduce levels of acid rain in the 1990s. By capping the amount of emissions in the environment and allowing corporations to buy and sell permits, this approach offers corporations a flexible, cost-efficient method to do their share to reduce emissions and combat global warming. The program will reduce emissions, drive the development of clean technologies, and create a market for projects that store carbon dioxide.

20% Renewable Electricity Standard by 2020 - Hillary believes we need to shift our reliance on high carbon electricity sources to low-carbon electricity sources by investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. As President, she'll work to require power companies to obtain 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Make Federal Buildings Carbon Neutral - Hillary believes that the federal government should lead the way in reducing carbon emissions from buildings. Buildings account for 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and the federal government owns or leases more than 500,000. Hillary would require all federal buildings to steadily increase the use of green design principles, energy efficient technologies, and to generate energy on-site from solar and other renewable sources. By 2030, all new federal buildings and major renovations would be carbon neutral, helping to fight global warming and cutting the $5.6 billion that the federal government spends each year on heating, cooling and lighting.

Protecting Against Exposure to Toxic Chemicals - Hillary wants to make the products we use safer, especially for children. There are tens of thousands of chemicals used in the U.S. and hundreds of new chemicals introduced each year, but little health testing is conducted for many of them. Hillary would require chemical companies to prove that new chemicals are safe before they are put on the market, and would set more stringent exposure standards for kids. She would also create a "priority list" of existing chemicals and require testing to make sure they are safe. To improve our understanding of the links between chemicals and diseases like cancer, Hillary would create an "environmental health tracking network" that ties together information about pollution and chronic diseases.

Hillary's Record

In the White House, Hillary led efforts to make adoption easier, to expand early learning and child care, to increase funding for breast cancer research, and to help veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome who had too often been ignored in the past. She helped launch a national campaign to prevent teen pregnancy and helped create the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which moved children from foster care to adoption more quickly and the number of children who have moved out of foster care into adoption has increased dramatically.

She was instrumental in designing and championing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has provided millions of children with health insurance. She battled the big drug companies to force them to test their drugs for children and to make sure all kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. Immunization rates dramatically improved after the program launched.

Hillary has been a leading member of the Environment and Public Works Committee since she was elected to the Senate. Today, she chairs the Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee and in that capacity has promoted legislation to evaluate and protect against the impact of environmental pollutants on people's health and clean up toxic waste.

Global warming and Clean Air
Spoken out forcefully about the need to tackle global warming in hearings, speeches, rallies and on the Senate floor and co-sponsored "cap and trade" legislation.
Worked to reduce air pollution that causes asthma and other respiratory diseases by writing and helping to pass new laws to clean up exhaust from school buses, and other diesel-powered equipment.
Supported legislation to reduce pollution from power plants, including harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and carbon dioxide - emissions that contribute to poor air quality, smog, acid rain, global warming, and mercury contamination of fish.
Aggressively fought the Bush Administration's ill-advised attempts to weaken clean air laws.

Improving Water Quality and Protecting Drinking Water
Helped to overturn the Bush Administration's attempt to allow more arsenic in drinking water.
Cosponsored legislation to protect lakes, rivers and coastal waters by fighting the spread of destructive invasive species, such as the zebra mussel.
Helped ot pass new clean water laws, including measures to protect New York City's water supplies and clean up Long Island Sound.

Protecting Public Lands
Fought oil company efforts to pen the Artic Wildlife Refuge in Alask and Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters to drilling.
Cosponsored the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which prohibits road construction and logging in unspoiled, roadless areas of the National Forest System, and voted for additional funding and manpower to combat forest fires in the west.

Reducing Dangerous Chemicals and Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste
Supported legislation to restore the "polluter pays" principle by reinstating a chemical company fee to fund cleanups of highly contaminated "Superfund" waste sites.
Cosponsored the "kids-Safe Chemical Act," which requires chemical companies to provide health and safety before putting new chemicals in consumer products.
Proposed legislation to create an environmental health tracking network to enable us to better understand the impact of environmental hazards on human health and well-being.

Tackling the Toxic Legacy of 9/11
Pushed for health care benefits for first responders, residents and others whose health has been impacted from breathing the toxic dust and smoke in New York City after 9/11.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/8/20/134810/677

Hillary Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a state-level alliance with the Children's Defense Fund, in 1977. In late 1977, President Jimmy Carter (for whom she had done 1976 campaign coordination work in Indiana) appointed her to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation, and she served in that capacity from 1978 through the end of 1981. For much of that time she served as the chair of that board, the first woman to do so. During her time as chair, funding for the Corporation was expanded from $90 million to $300 million, and she successfully battled against President Ronald Reagan's initial attempts to reduce the funding and change the nature of the organization.

Following the November 1978 election of her husband as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton became First Lady of Arkansas in January 1979, her title for a total of twelve years. Bill appointed her chair of the Rural Health Advisory Committee the same year, where she successfully obtained federal funds to expand medical facilities in Arkansas' poorest areas without affecting doctors' fees.

Hillary Clinton chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee from 1982 to 1992, where she sought to bring about reform in the state's court-sanctioned public education system. One of the most important initiatives of the entire Clinton governorship, she fought a prolonged but ultimately successful battle against the Arkansas Education Association to put mandatory teacher testing as well as state standards for curriculum and classroom size in place. She introduced Arkansas' Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth in 1985, a program that helps parents work with their children in preschool preparedness and literacy.

And a bit of stuff from the White House years:

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage. She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare. She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.

The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome. Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage.<124> She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare.<125> She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.<43> The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome.<43> Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice.<43> In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.<43> As First Lady, Clinton hosted numerous White House Conferences, including ones on Child Care (1997),<126> Early Childhood Development and Learning (1997),<127> and Children and Adolescents (2000),<128> and the first-ever White House Conferences on Teenagers (2000)<129> and Philanthropy (1999).<130>

Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton

"...Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries..."

More:
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/israe...
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/darfu...


The following are polls from progressive groups, rating Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on how often they vote for progressive issues. For each group, http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011142.php

Clinton Vs. Barack Obama (progressivepunch)
Overall Progressive Score: 92% 90%
Aid to Less Advantaged People at Home and Abroad: 98% 97%
Corporate Subsidies 100% N/A
Education, Humanities and the Arts 88% 100%
Environment 92% 100%
Fair Taxation 97% 100%
Family Planning 88% 80%
Government Checks on Corporate Power 95% 97%
Healthcare 98% 94%
Housing 100% 100%
Human Rights & Civil Liberties 82% 77%
Justice for All: Civil and Criminal 94% 91%
Labor Rights 91% 91%
Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful 94% 90%
War and Peace 80% 86%
easures to protect New York City's water supplies and clean up Long Island Sound.
Perry Logan

[Elspeth]

18. If you really want an answer to the OP, read durrrty libby's post

Some good items on there.

[southpaw]

21. Thank you, durrrty libby!

This is the type of response the OP deserves.

[durrrty libby]

23. ..

:toast:

[AlertLurker]

22. And again:

http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=55463
10/18/2007 Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions - DID NOT VOTE
09/06/2007 Prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion - DID NOT VOTE
10/26/2005 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment - N
11/01/2007 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) - DID NOT VOTE
09/10/2007 Bridge Repair Funding - DID NOT VOTE
08/03/2006 Death/EstateTax and Minimum Wage Bill of 2006 - N
05/26/2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 - N
11/08/2007 Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - DID NOT VOTE
10/30/2007 Amtrak Reauthorization - DID NOT VOTE
09/07/2007 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants - DID NOT VOTE
03/07/2005 Minimum Wage Amendment - N
06/06/2007 Denying Legal Status for Immigrants Convicted of Certain Crimes - N
10/01/2007 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - DID NOT VOTE
11/07/2007 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies - DID NOT VOTE
12/18/2001 No Child Left Behind Act - Y
06/14/2007 Offshore Drilling in Virginia - DID NOT VOTE
04/25/2002 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 - N
09/07/2006 Media in the Middle East Amendment - N
11/19/2002 Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Y
05/07/2007 FDA Drug Import Certification Amendment - N
09/06/2006 Cluster Munitions Amendment - N
10/11/2002 Use of Military Force Against Iraq - Y
03/02/2006 USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization - Y
10/06/2004 National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 - Y
10/25/2001 USA Patriot Act of 2001 - Y
09/14/2001 Military Force Authorization resolution - Y
06/07/2006 Same Sex Marriage Resolution - N
09/19/2006 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation - Y
07/07/2003 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Y
07/07/2003 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Y

[freefall]

32. Thank you AlertLurker for another serious answer. n/t

[yurbud]

38. thanks--that helps

[uppityperson]

41. Thank you also. nt

[SlowDownFast]

49. The negative aspects of your list FAR outweigh the positives listed in post #13.

These votes (or no-show votes) you listed are mostly far more serious and far-reaching issues with lasting consequences than any of the issues listed in post #13.

Thanks for posting this.

[AlertLurker]

63. It's cherry picked, quite obviously.

I don't deny that she may have made some good votes over the past six years, but those were obviously not my focus in completing the exercise.

I just wanted to see where she voted (or didn't, as the case may be) on some issues, considering her current positions on said issues.

I have similar lists for Edwards, Biden and Obama, too. It find it helps me to separate what people say from what they actually stand for (or once stood for but no longer do, if you can believe what they say).

It hasn't become necessary for me to do the same for Dodd or Richardson yet (but it's still early in the campaign), and I don't see the need to do one for Dennis Kucinich, since whatever he says is obviously exactly where he stands.

[TahitiNut]

54. Let's not forget ...

09/26/2007 Expressing the Sense of Congress Regarding Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Y (On which both Dodd and Biden voted Nay and Obama did not vote)

There are also many other votes with which I disagree, but this one is particularly reprehensible.

[smokey nj]

62. You have an error in your post. Senator Clinton voted FOR the LIHEAP amendment

on 10/26/2006.

10/26/2005 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Y

http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=55463

[AlertLurker]

64. Thanks - corrected my list. Pobody's nerfect.

To late to edit my post, unfortunately, so I will just post the correct line again in apologia:

0/26/2005 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment - Y

[freefall]

30. Thank you, durrrty libby for a serious answer to a serious question.

Also, thanks to DUer Perry Logan for originally assembling this information.

:kick: & rec'd

Peace,

freefall

[kenfrequed]

33. uhm I hate to say it but...

Comparing voting records between someone from the house and someone from the senate is sort of complicated. By the time the bills make it to the Senate they are usually turned into pretty easy up or down bills. Most of them have also been designed to be EXTREMELY easy to vote up or down on.

This isn't to say Hillary didn't accomplish anything, but it is important to realize how different bills are in the house and senate.

[yurbud]

35. thank you for a thorough reply.

[uppityperson]

40. Thank you for posting that, thank you Perry Logan too. nt

[Orsino]

55. Is there a version of this info without the campaign-speak?

And without the ratings from various organizations? It sounds as though there is something of substance in here.

[karynnj]

71. Many things on this list are inflated claims

The problem is that nearly this entire list disapears if you use the criterion used by the media and the Republicans in 2004, crediting only passed legislation where HRC is listed in the Senate record system as the sponsor. (In Kerry's case this eliminated all McCain/Kerry bills etc)

As to the WH claims, many are bills that she lobbied Bill or Congressmen to pass - which does not make her the major force for.
An example of this is the S-CHIP, where I looked back into the Senate record and the news accounts in 1996 and 1997. When the HRC people first claimed that she "initiated" or "created it" I was surprised. The reason I looked into it was that Ted Kennedy said that much of it was written by Kerry in the precursor bill introduced in 1996. I looked mainly to sure that any claims I made for Kerry were accurate. From the Senate record, it is clear that they were.

HRC did play a role - she lobbied her husband to keep it the Kennedy/Hatch bill in the Budget request. That was important. It also shows how gun shy Bil Clinton was on this largest expansion to health care insurance since Medicare. In, reality it took the Kerry/Kennedy bill and gave each state significant flexibility in designing its plan and instead of a being a new entitlement designed it to be voted on every 4 years. Both Senator Hatch, who worked with Kennedy to get a compromise that enough Republicans could back and Senator Kerry have better claims to have been "major forces" than HRC.

It should be noted that Bill Clinton barely mentions it in his book and does not speak of HRC having created it. (He does not list it when discussing the Kerry/Weld contest in 1996 - in fact, he speaks well of Weld, without noting that the MA plan passed over his veto. )

HRC has more experience than the other 2 in the top 3. I don't get why there is a need to inflate the very real experience she has.

[Dems Will Win]

14. Well, let's see there's NAFTA, no wait that impoverished millions of Americans

especially women and children where good jobs were lost to overseas factories...

How about ending welfare checks after 5 years? Hmm, no forget that, we all might be needing those checks in the upcoming 10-year DEPRESSION....

Maybe the bankruptcy bill she voted for, where even if you go bankrupt you still have to pay the banker? O darn, that one could bite too...

Let's see - her healthcare plan? Ooops that just makes an even bigger profit for the health insurance industry and she doesn't even extend Medicare, as Edwards does (Obama should too!)...

Wait, I'm thinking.

The vote for war in Iraq? The vote that allows Bush to attack Iran (in conjunction with the Iraq vote, which authorized force against terrorists and Clinton just named 1/3 of the Iranian Army terrorists)? uh- never mind those...

Certainly her fantastic bill to help home owners with their mortgage so they can keep their house with a new re-scheduled DECENT loan would be a reason! But -- she never put one forth...

Give me a minute and I'll think of more...

[durrrty libby]

20. How could you have a clue when all your time is taken up with Bill's zipper

[Bandit]

24. You seem to be confusing Hillary with Bill

Tell me what Hillary had to do with ending Welfare Checks or NAFTA and please tell me how in your informed opinion her Health care plan would have improved profits for the Health Insurance industry. It was mainly about forcing that industry into lowering their rates for over ninety percent of the population to the same rate as paid by Corporations such as IBM. I think you are only spreading rumor and innuendo with no facts to back it up.

[ecstatic]

15. What has Edwards done? nt

[derby378]

16. She's had her moments...

There have been times when Hillary grilled people testifying at Senate committees with a fire that you didn't see much of before 2006.

Doesn't mean she's got my primary vote, but I know she has it in her to do the right thing - if she'd just follow through and stay consistent, things might be different.

[MyNameGoesHere]

17. I am confused. Senate voting records are made public

yet you call out people to "show you the light" as to why you should vote for 1 candidate? Really? Come on now. Just tell us why you won't vote for candidate x and be on your merry way ok.

And coming here to garnish knowledge of the unbiased type for ANY of the candidates is like fucking for chastity.

[jgraz]

60. Here's a news flash: she won't be doing any voting as president

So why do people keep using her voting record as some sort of indication of the job she'll do? What you want to see is LEADERSHIP, not politically correct voting. Where was she on the Gonzales nomination? On Ashcroft, Alito, Roberts, etc? Where was she on the Iraq Supplemental and the FISA extension.

Even as a senator, simply voting the right way is barely adequate. In a president, it's a pathetic substitute for leadership.

[AlertLurker]

65. Showing sound judgement is an essential part of Leadership, IMHO.

Good leaders LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

[jgraz]

66. Good leaders lead by example, bad leaders lead by words

Hillary leads by...um...

Oh, right. She's just "ready to lead". She'll get around to it someday, I'm sure.

[superkia]

68. All America has to do is look back to 2002 to find out who the...

real leader is. Evidence was presented and only one person looked at it and lead to save thousands of lives, the rest spewed propaganda and gave Bush a loaded gun and ammo every time he asked for it. Everyone should look into who said and did what back then when we were asleep and that should tell us allot on who the candidates represent. I see one that chose to represent us the people, the ones he supposed to represent.

[MyNameGoesHere]

69. It is part of their record along with other

indicators that only you agree or disagree with. Posting like the OP did pretending to feign ignorance on this particular candidate is just another backhand gutless smear. I would prefer the "Candidate X eats babies and laughs about it!" posts than this spineless type.

[Orsino]

19. She hasn't been a Republican.

That's supposed to be enough for you, Hitler. :evilgrin:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

47. LOL! love it.

At least in name.

[blondeatlast]

51. Not true--she most assuredly was in college.

A student leader in public schools, she was active in youth programs at the First United Methodist Church. Although she later became associated with liberal causes, during this time she adhered to the Republican Party of her parents. She campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater in 1964 and chaired the local chapter of the Young Republicans. A year later, after she enrolled at Wellesley College, her political views began to change. Influenced by the assassinations of Malcolm X, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., she joined the Democratic Party and volunteered in the presidential campaign of antiwar candidate Eugene McCarthy.

http://search.eb.com/women/article-9095812

[Bitwit1234]

25. Well couldn't you say the same thing about

Obama
Biden
Dodd
Richardson as a governor
Edwards as a former senator
and all the rest.

WHY DOES A CERTAIN STANDARD APPLY TO THE ONLY WOMAN CANDIDATE THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE MEN???????Just can't understand that.

[jgraz]

34. The "standard" applies to the front-runner

Who also happens to be a right-wing, pro-war, DLC corporatist. Of course she needs to justify herself to the voters.

When you continue to use her gender to shield Hillary from legitimate criticism, you become as sexist as those you attack.

[yurbud]

36. what in my original post made you think I was singling her out as a woman?

She is supposedly the frontrunner, but apart from her general hawkishness, I don't know her record.

[jgraz]

42. Obviously, because you asked a question

You're clearly a plant, driven mad by your hatred of Hillary and her lady parts.



:P

[yurbud]

48. I hope to never see the private parts of any of the candidates of either sex

[Toots]

70. You seem to be the only Hillary Hater driven mad

Your outright hatred for her is astonishing and your justifications are very weak..

[Madam Mossfern]

61. Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh!

Dammit - leave the gender out of the mix! OK, I'll come clean; I happen to be an elected official (just local). I never made a point of my gender and when people told me that they supported me because I am a woman, I replied that I prefer that they vote for me because they think I'll serve them well in office.

Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it!
NOW!

[Heywood J]

72. "Blah, blah woman. Blah, blah. Sexism. Blah blah."

I'd put you on ignore, but I'd miss too much amusement and laughter is the best medicine.

[Fredda Weinberg]

26. Here's a Village Voice article on her effectiveness in office

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0518,lombardi,63597,5.html

[PATRICK]

29. A prejudiced summary

of the whole would be: avoiding all VA investigations, pumping enthusiastically for legitimate pork and military projects and businesses in the state, getting on board red meat issues reserved for Repugs such as flag burning and video game violence, calling on other outspoken Dems to apologize. Taking one pattern and parallel she plays positive and cautious with her role on the defense committees while going all out against flag burners etc. It is easy to read into this apparent disconnect and very likely to come up with unflattering conclusions. The other side, gilding the resume with impressive legislative offerings(with but a brief time having a shot at that in the newly restored Senate majority) could name a lot of things, positive, critical of the administration, etc.

Rightly or wrongly I remember where she invested her most vocal energies when other crying issues went begging for attention. As I hear more about her written committment to getting rid of permanent bases and other critiques I am more heartened.

What would be the end result of her win? Another foray into the bold new world of Eisenhower Republicanism or a turnabout of that selectiveRW enthusiasm to progressive ways to meet critical issues?

That is why the whole false frame "experience" issue is so much bs. It is always about character and track record and consistency or being fooled into seeing, hoping for something else that is extremely unlikely to occur once the person wins a great position.

[Fredda Weinberg]

56. HRC is my senator and no, we're not waiting for her to change n/t

[durrrty libby]

27. By now, a sincere person would have sent out a thank you for fulfilling

such a request, and yet I see you nowhere on your own thread.

What could that mean?:think:

[leftofthedial]

31. could be one of the few people left in Amurka who has a job

maybe?

[yurbud]

37. It meant I posted this before I went to class and checked it when I got back.

[durrrty libby]

53. You're Welcome..oops..you still didn't say" thanks"..wonder why?

[yurbud]

57. I did in a different reply to your post, but thanks again for your thorough response

[Catherine Vincent]

28. Yawn!

[Perry Logan]

39. Here's Hillary's record--not at all like what the anti-Hillarites say.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Education Association 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Children's Defense Fund 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 91 percent in 2006.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 100 percent in 2005

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House).

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 80 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 93 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers 84 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 88 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 83 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Committee for an Effective Congress 95 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 100 percent in 2005.

According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 80 percent of the Senators.

According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Clinton voted more liberal on social policy issues than 83 percent of the Senators.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 92 percent in 2005.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Bread for the World 100 percent in 2003-2004.

Senator Clinton supported the interests of the The Partnership for the Homeless 100 percent in 2003-2004.
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=WNY99268

She was promoting universal coverage before it was cool. Furthermore she helped to create the SCHIP program. And most importantly she was dead on in the debate the other week where she said political will was the most important thing needed to push health care reform through and we know without a doubt she has that.

She has fougt unrelentingly for a woman's right to choose as well as women's rights both domestically and abroad

Create a Strategic Energy Fund - Hillary has proposed a Strategic Energy Fund that would inject $50 billion into research, development and deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, ethanol and other homegrown biofuels. Hillary's proposal would give oil companies a choice: invest in renewable energy or pay into the fund. Hillary's proposal would also eliminate oil company tax breaks and make sure that oil companies pay their fair share for drilling on public lands. Instead of sending billions of dollars to the Middle East for their oil, Hillary's proposal will create a new clean energy industry in America and create tens of thousands of jobs here.

Champion a Market-Based "Cap and Trade" Approach - Hillary supports a market-based, cap and trade approach to reducing carbon emissions and fight global warming. This approach was used successfully to limit sulfur dioxide and reduce levels of acid rain in the 1990s. By capping the amount of emissions in the environment and allowing corporations to buy and sell permits, this approach offers corporations a flexible, cost-efficient method to do their share to reduce emissions and combat global warming. The program will reduce emissions, drive the development of clean technologies, and create a market for projects that store carbon dioxide.

20% Renewable Electricity Standard by 2020 - Hillary believes we need to shift our reliance on high carbon electricity sources to low-carbon electricity sources by investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. As President, she'll work to require power companies to obtain 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Make Federal Buildings Carbon Neutral - Hillary believes that the federal government should lead the way in reducing carbon emissions from buildings. Buildings account for 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and the federal government owns or leases more than 500,000. Hillary would require all federal buildings to steadily increase the use of green design principles, energy efficient technologies, and to generate energy on-site from solar and other renewable sources. By 2030, all new federal buildings and major renovations would be carbon neutral, helping to fight global warming and cutting the $5.6 billion that the federal government spends each year on heating, cooling and lighting.

Protecting Against Exposure to Toxic Chemicals - Hillary wants to make the products we use safer, especially for children. There are tens of thousands of chemicals used in the U.S. and hundreds of new chemicals introduced each year, but little health testing is conducted for many of them. Hillary would require chemical companies to prove that new chemicals are safe before they are put on the market, and would set more stringent exposure standards for kids. She would also create a "priority list" of existing chemicals and require testing to make sure they are safe. To improve our understanding of the links between chemicals and diseases like cancer, Hillary would create an "environmental health tracking network" that ties together information about pollution and chronic diseases.

Hillary's Record

In the White House, Hillary led efforts to make adoption easier, to expand early learning and child care, to increase funding for breast cancer research, and to help veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome who had too often been ignored in the past. She helped launch a national campaign to prevent teen pregnancy and helped create the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which moved children from foster care to adoption more quickly and the number of children who have moved out of foster care into adoption has increased dramatically.

She was instrumental in designing and championing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has provided millions of children with health insurance. She battled the big drug companies to force them to test their drugs for children and to make sure all kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. Immunization rates dramatically improved after the program launched.

Hillary has been a leading member of the Environment and Public Works Committee since she was elected to the Senate. Today, she chairs the Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee and in that capacity has promoted legislation to evaluate and protect against the impact of environmental pollutants on people's health and clean up toxic waste.

Global warming and Clean Air
Spoken out forcefully about the need to tackle global warming in hearings, speeches, rallies and on the Senate floor and co-sponsored "cap and trade" legislation.
Worked to reduce air pollution that causes asthma and other respiratory diseases by writing and helping to pass new laws to clean up exhaust from school buses, and other diesel-powered equipment.
Supported legislation to reduce pollution from power plants, including harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and carbon dioxide - emissions that contribute to poor air quality, smog, acid rain, global warming, and mercury contamination of fish.
Aggressively fought the Bush Administration's ill-advised attempts to weaken clean air laws.

Improving Water Quality and Protecting Drinking Water
Helped to overturn the Bush Administration's attempt to allow more arsenic in drinking water.
Cosponsored legislation to protect lakes, rivers and coastal waters by fighting the spread of destructive invasive species, such as the zebra mussel.
Helped ot pass new clean water laws, including measures to protect New York City's water supplies and clean up Long Island Sound.

Protecting Public Lands
Fought oil company efforts to pen the Artic Wildlife Refuge in Alask and Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters to drilling.
Cosponsored the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which prohibits road construction and logging in unspoiled, roadless areas of the National Forest System, and voted for additional funding and manpower to combat forest fires in the west.

Reducing Dangerous Chemicals and Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste
Supported legislation to restore the "polluter pays" principle by reinstating a chemical company fee to fund cleanups of highly contaminated "Superfund" waste sites.
Cosponsored the "kids-Safe Chemical Act," which requires chemical companies to provide health and safety before putting new chemicals in consumer products.
Proposed legislation to create an environmental health tracking network to enable us to better understand the impact of environmental hazards on human health and well-being.

Tackling the Toxic Legacy of 9/11
Pushed for health care benefits for first responders, residents and others whose health has been impacted from breathing the toxic dust and smoke in New York City after 9/11.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/8/20/134810/677

Hillary Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a state-level alliance with the Children's Defense Fund, in 1977. In late 1977, President Jimmy Carter (for whom she had done 1976 campaign coordination work in Indiana) appointed her to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation, and she served in that capacity from 1978 through the end of 1981. For much of that time she served as the chair of that board, the first woman to do so. During her time as chair, funding for the Corporation was expanded from $90 million to $300 million, and she successfully battled against President Ronald Reagan's initial attempts to reduce the funding and change the nature of the organization.

Following the November 1978 election of her husband as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton became First Lady of Arkansas in January 1979, her title for a total of twelve years. Bill appointed her chair of the Rural Health Advisory Committee the same year, where she successfully obtained federal funds to expand medical facilities in Arkansas' poorest areas without affecting doctors' fees.

Hillary Clinton chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee from 1982 to 1992, where she sought to bring about reform in the state's court-sanctioned public education system. One of the most important initiatives of the entire Clinton governorship, she fought a prolonged but ultimately successful battle against the Arkansas Education Association to put mandatory teacher testing as well as state standards for curriculum and classroom size in place. She introduced Arkansas' Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth in 1985, a program that helps parents work with their children in preschool preparedness and literacy.

And a bit of stuff from the White House years:

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage. She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare. She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.

The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome. Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.

Along with Senator Ted Kennedy, she was the major force behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, a federal effort that provided state support for children whose parents were unable to provide them with health coverage.<124> She promoted nationwide immunization against childhood illnesses and encouraged older women to seek a mammogram to detect breast cancer, with coverage provided by Medicare.<125> She successfully sought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and childhood asthma at the National Institutes of Health.<43> The First Lady worked to investigate reports of an illness that affected veterans of the Gulf War, which became known as the Gulf War syndrome.<43> Together with Attorney General Janet Reno, Clinton helped create the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice.<43> In 1997, she initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as First Lady.<43> As First Lady, Clinton hosted numerous White House Conferences, including ones on Child Care (1997),<126> Early Childhood Development and Learning (1997),<127> and Children and Adolescents (2000),<128> and the first-ever White House Conferences on Teenagers (2000)<129> and Philanthropy (1999).<130>

Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton

"...Hillary Clinton traveled to over eighty countries during this time,<131> breaking the mark for most-travelled First Lady held by Pat Nixon.<132> In a September 1995 speech before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Clinton argued very forcefully against practices that abused women around the world and in China itself.<133> She was one of the most prominent international figures at the time to speak out against the treatment of Afghan women by the Islamist fundamentalist Taliban that had seized control of Afghanistan.<134><135> She helped create Vital Voices, an international initiative sponsored by the United States to promote the participation of women in the political processes of their countries..."

More:
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/israel/index.cfm
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/nationalsecurity/darfur

The following are polls from progressive groups, rating Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on how often they vote for progressive issues. For each group, http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011142.php

Clinton Vs. Barack Obama (progressivepunch)
Overall Progressive Score: 92% 90%
Aid to Less Advantaged People at Home and Abroad: 98% 97%
Corporate Subsidies 100% N/A
Education, Humanities and the Arts 88% 100%
Environment 92% 100%
Fair Taxation 97% 100%
Family Planning 88% 80%
Government Checks on Corporate Power 95% 97%
Healthcare 98% 94%
Housing 100% 100%
Human Rights & Civil Liberties 82% 77%
Justice for All: Civil and Criminal 94% 91%
Labor Rights 91% 91%
Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful 94% 90%
War and Peace 80% 86%

[LostinVA]

67. Damn you and your facts

[Cha]

43. "hillary smith"..

Brawahahahahahaha! I'm in New York and the only thing I remember is what she did to enable bushit.

[Matariki]

45. THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION! Here are some answers

This is the sort of dialog we need on this site, so thanks for your post

This is a great site that lists voting records & politician's stand on issues - here is Clinton's page:
http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=55463

[Matariki]

46. Here's another link - listing bills she's sponsored

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300022

Interestingly, they have her listed as a 'radical Democrat' by merit of her bill sponsorship.

[alfredo]

50. She's considered a workhorse in the Senate. She is also one of the

best at constituent services. She won over her conservative constituents because she listened.

She tough as nails.

[11 Bravo]

58. Voted NOT to confirm Ashcroft, Gonzales, Roberts, and Alito.

Any more questions?

[jgraz]

59. Did she do anything to lead the opposition on any of those votes?

Filibuster?
Personal Hold?
Talking head appearances?
Public statements?

Or did she just step in at the last moment and quietly vote "no"? If that's all she did, then she's barely acceptable as a senator, let alone a president.