Yes Hillary is ahead in the polls. Yes her comments made to Goldman Sachs have been leaked and yes many of the Bernie supporters are mad. And yes, in this next debate, she is going to get asked the question.
I’m a Bernie supporter, I met him on the Thom Hartmann radio program and for ten years I listen to him inform us and he has helped more to bring back true democracy than any other politician I know. He knew that when he entered the race that a Democrat had to win the white house, and bring back a majority in congress.
Third party candidates really are not the answer when they haven’t made any attempt to hold office except during the Presidential election years. Stein nor Johnson’ candidacy will not win the white house while not helping the democracy.
Bernie always understood that a Republican elected as president was the wrong way to go. All this being said and more unsaid, I am supporting the best choice for the democracy.
But Hillary will get the question about her comments to Goldman Sachs. Her answer has to be the one that seals the election in her favor. So think about if you were to advise her as to the right answer what would tell her. (I know she’ll never listen to us nor will her adviser tell her this answer.)
If I was there in the room helping with her strategy for the debate my humble advice would be simple.
Own it. Say “these statements were years ago. And over those intervening years I saw what was happening to Americans, I saw that the worker was being treated in the same manner as the worker on a Trump construction project, not getting what they deserved for all the work they had given, the sacrifices they made to help create the greatest middle class in the world.”
“Trade deals need to enhance every one the worker, the citizens, the businesses and the nation. They cannot be dependent on the investor only; they cannot benefit the corporations only. A real leader sees this grows from knowing what is right, and can learn and adjust to what is right for everyone to live up the basic bargain of society. A true leader knows when to listen to the people and when to do what’s right for the nation.”
I have learned since then that was once the gold standard failed to deliver the basic bargain to the people no long delivers that promise and as a result I can no longer support it. We need to renegotiate that agreement now and not allow it to come for a vote until then.”
Those should be the thoughts that influence her answer to the questions about the emails she will get in the debate. And yes her answer to that question will do more to her success than any other question.
The other question is how she will handle it. We won’t know the answer until the debate has ended.