1. People often reduce the discussion to just the Clinton crime law. The problem with this is their track record goes well beyond passing the crime bill.
2. Some of their explanation for why they pushed the bill at the time may be valid, but not their choice of right wing language and frames. The harm caused by accepting such right wing views is incalculable.
3. Nor does it excuse them of the impact of the law simply because of their intent at the time. Sanders is not excused either as far s his vote. This is not a partisan issue. What I'm looking for is evidence of what goes into their judgement and character.
4. The support of Black people , who are too busy being terrified of the GOP, is not a way to wave this record away.
5. Pretending that the Clintons are not a package deal is not convincing. They have said they are a package deal. Clinton has never fully repudiated her husband’s record. Her time in the White House is often treated as part of her qualifications for office. Bill has made it clear he intends to act as an adviser if she wins the White House. He is her surrogate now.
6. Beyond the horrible crime law, the Clintons pushed welfare reform, which included narratives from the right about welfare queens, Wall St deregulation that resulted in subprime mortgages that have devastated Black home ownership and increased poverty, and pushed such narratives as attacking Sister Soulja. In addition, in 2008, Clinton used such dog whistles as hard working white Americans to attack candidate Obama. The list goes on , including throwing out BLM protesters, and Bill’s attack last week.
7. The point is there is a pattern of poor treatment of Black voters that almost feels like an abusivve relationship rather than giving us our due respect as a key part of the base. The fear is they will bring this same poor judgment to the White House on black issues like the Grand Bargain (eg raising the age of retirement) , which would disproportionately harm Black communities already teetering on the edge.
8. I have asked and never received an answer about what assurances we can receive that the Clintons will look out for Black voters.
9. I have asked and never received an answer about what pressure White and Black Clinton supporters plan to place on the Clintons if they try to push through policies that will harm Black voters.