I've spent several months trying analyze why Hillary Clinton leaves me cold. Let me explain that I SHOULD relate to her. I'm younger, but I'm a female, a lawyer, a mother, a Democrat, an Illinoisan, and I love Bill Clinton. We have a lot in common, right?
That said, I have problems with the campaign and the candidate.
These are the main issues:
- I can't understand what she believes in, really believes in. Other than being the first woman president; other than playing the ultimate post-menopausal "it's my turn" role, why does she want the job, and what is she going to do if she gets it?
- I don't represent corporations in my practice. A lawyer has a duty to zealously represent her client. That's really hard to do if you don't like what your client has done, or does. From everything I've read, Senator Clinton was able to do this, and do it quite well. I have talked to other corporate defense attorneys, people who I like, and they often feel terribly conflicted. They have to teach their children right from wrong, but then they pay their tuition bills by representing polluters or companies that knowingly sell dangerous products. I've never read that Senator Clinton felt any angst about this conflict, and it appears that she is extremely proud of her work on behalf of her former clients. Maybe she's managed to completely compartmentalize it. I don't think I like that.
- I hear her supporters gushing about her accomplishments. Maybe I'm jaded because of what I do, but I don't get it. Almost every woman I went to law school with who stayed in practice, has accomplished everything that Hillary has, subtracting the experiences she had resulting from being married to a governor and president. In fact, the women I know are big fish in a much bigger pond than Arkansas, where Hillary practiced law. It bothers me that if she is the first woman president, it is the direct result of marrying well, rather than her own deeds. There's something vaguely Luraleen Wallace-ish about it and it is creepy to me.
- The fait-accompli attitude really rubs me the wrong way. We are having more debates and forms than ever, and the Clinton campaign is acting as if it's all a mere dress rehearsal, and they're going through the motions. I'm not committed to anyone's campaign yet, but I know many people, especially young people, are putting their hearts and souls into other candidate's campaigns, and the Clinton strategy sort of demeans all their effort. I think the 'other candidates don't count' attitude is going to disillusion and/or anger a lot of young people whose energy and idealism we need if the Democratic party is going to survive.
- I don't know much about Iowa, but I know that New Hampshire is not very much like Texas or the Carolinas. There's a visceral hatred of all things Clinton in the south, and I don't see us picking up any ground with Clinton at the head of the ticket. Maybe I'm missing something, but if I'm having a hard time relating to Senator Clinton, how is she going to attract my semi-republican, stay-at-home-mom, college sorority sisters in Louisville or Cincinnati? Or their hubbies?
This diary is not meant to be anti-Hillary, it's my explanation for why I haven't joined the H-Club, and some honest questions that I hope someone can answer,