In case you missed it over the weekend, The Des Moines Register endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. I know there's been a whole lot of media buzz since this, and there's now speculation over what this will do to help Hillary's campaign. However, I'd rather not focus on that. I want to focus on an indirect comparison to Franklin D. Roosevelt that the editorialists made as they were choosing between Hillary and Obama. What I want to ask you today is: Is the comparison of Hillary Clinton to FDR accurate?
Let's talk about it some more. Let's chat. Let's go after the flip for more...
Another veteran editorial writer described the choice as similar to picking Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a calculating but masterful politician at maneuvering needed legislation through Congress, versus John F. Kennedy, whose youthful vigor inspired the nation to take on new challenges. That's not a bad choice.
That's from the Des Moines Register article explaining why they picked Hillary over the other candidates. They described FDR as a "calculating but masterful politician" who was able to deliver on policy. Is that true? Well, all we have to do is examine
FDR's Wikipedia page to see all that he accomplished.
And oh my, look at all of FDR's accomplishments! The Works Progress Administration give jobs to the unemployed. The Social Security Act to ensure that our seniors don't live in poverty. The Civilian Conservation Corps to give jobs to those willing to work on rural projects. Isn't it amazing how FDR hasn't been smeared as some kind of Communist? Oh wait... He was.
So obviously, FDR did a whole lot to bring Keynesian economics to America, bring us out of the depression, and leave a strong legacy of a social safety net and robust regulatory system that made sure that capitalism worked for everyone. But was FDR a perfect "pure progressive" that did no wrong? Obviously not.
He made peace with the corrupt Tammany Hall machine early in his political career, and later on tried (and failed) to undermine the independence of our federal courts. Oh yes, and who could forget the heinous crime of interning all the Japanese-Americans during World War II? So obviously, FDR was far from perfect.
But still, we remember FDR for his accomplishments. We remember FDR for saving this nation when it looked like America may not survive the Great Depression. We remember FDR for reassuring us, and for letting us know that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". We remember the good of FDR, and we are still grateful to him for all his good work.
So where does that take me next? Well, I'll let Dorothy and Hillary lead me in...
Hillary Clinton may not be perfect, but she does seem to have a firm grounding in her values. She cares about her fellow humankind, and is willing to give a helping hand up to those that can't help themselves. Basically, Hillary is doing her part to continue building upon the good legacy that FDR left us.
As I have said before, Hillary is strongly committed to changing course and putting an end to the disastrous legacy that Bush & Cheney are leaving us. Hillary is committing to a true universal health care plan that will cover everyone, lower costs systemwide, and enact enact tough regulations on the insurance industry. Hillary is committing to a truly bold and revolutionary climate action and energy indpendence plan that will take on our addiction to fossil fuels and go far and beyond even our own state plan in California in tackling the climate crisis. Hillary has put forth a comprehensive plan to end Bush's disastrous Iraq Occupation, and she has matched her words with action when it comes to ending Bush's era of neocon-style "cowboy diplomacy". When it comes to fighting for a bold agenda of progressive change and building upon all of FDR's good work, Hillary truly is "our girl".
And you know what makes all of this even better? Like FDR, Hillary now has the strength, the courage, and the experience to deliver on her agenda of progressive change. Hillary obviously has the domestic and foreign policy experience to hit the ground running as soon as she's sworn in as our next President. And of course, she also has the know-how to make proposed policy into enacted law. Mind if I point you back to that Des moines Register endorsement?
[...] Who is best prepared to confront the enormous challenges the nation faces — from ending the Iraq war to shoring up America’s middle class to confronting global climate change?
The job requires a president who not only understands the changes needed to move the country forward but also possesses the discipline and skill to navigate the reality of the resistant Washington power structure to get things done.
That candidate is New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
From working for children’s rights as a young lawyer, to meeting with leaders around the world as first lady, to emerging as an effective legislator in her service as a senator, every stage of her life has prepared her for the presidency.
Yep, no matter what others say about Hillary, we know that Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark when he says that Hillary has what it takes to be a good leader:
So are you convinced now? Do you see how Hillary has what it takes to build upon everything good that FDR left us, and bring America "back to the future"? Do you now see just how committed Hillary is to the progressive values that we have cherished since the times of FDR?
If you'd stil like more information, I urge you to check out
what the people that know Hillary have to say about her. These are the people that know Hillary best, and they want us to know the Hillary they've come to know and love. Oh yes, and check out this new video from Hillary.
It explains so well why so many of us are impressed by HRC, someone who'd make Franklin and Eleanor awfully proud. :-)