Will America forgive Hillary for her mistakes or will it cost the Democrats the presidency in the general election?
Hillary Clinton remains a model for girls and women alike. She is representative of the future of gender equality, but the vision she attempts to encapsulate is shadowed by less-than-honest political mishaps, writes Bessie Bauman in yet another thought-provoking Naked Opinion
Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has been called several things. Feminist, liar, social justice warrior, and flip-flopper are only a sample size of the public’s perception of the political whirlwind we all know as Mrs. Clinton. The Senator from New York, former First Lady of Arkansas and of the United States, and the recent Secretary of State has made enormous strides for women’s rights and breaking the glass ceiling; nonetheless, Hillary has gotten herself in a predicament. She may be a spearhead for females, but her ethical inconsistencies are extremely concerning.
Most recently, Hillary was criticized for her speech tactics at rallies. While Bernie Sanders maintained a similar tone of urgency and passion (complete with his token hand movements), Hillary was judged for barking like a dog and for being “shrill.” This kind of disparity has followed her throughout her career, only magnified by events such as Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. In face of looming obstacles, Hillary Clinton remains a model for girls and women alike. She is representative of the future of gender equality, but the vision she attempts to encapsulate is shadowed by less-than-honest political mishaps.
Hillary has faced much resistance from the world, yet she has accomplished so much. She is the DNC’s establishment candidate, clearly shown by her whopping superdelegate count. Despite often being painted as a villain, Hillary has managed to win more than 18 states. I can say confidently that Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the Democratic nominee, but I cannot say that she will win the general election because conflicts such as the email scandal, Benghazi, and her purported trustworthiness weigh more in the minds of Americans than other glaring political mistakes made by opposing candidates.
Hillary Clinton lags behind in the millennial vote
Yes, Hillary isa woman, but she’s also white and privileged. Her tactics are focused on baby-steps helping the status quo, not the sweeping change some other candidates offer. Her cop-outs of imaging herself as a sweet “grandmother” do not effectively compare to Bernie Sanders’ forceful cries for the resolution of income inequity and free college. Her political flip-flopping only stigmatizes her astounding resume, considering the fact that she openly opposed gay marriage in the early 2000s and the fact that she supported the war on Iraq. Her inconsistencies lead people to believe that she is a candidate for corporations, voting whatever way the money is funnelled in. Hillary has combatted these perceptions by playing up a campaign heavy on individual donations (73%), but her three speeches for Goldman Sachs, worth $675,000, undo everything.
She’s a pragmatist and a paper-pusher, middle of the road, establishment Democrat. She’s a dream for the feminists who can see the breadth and depth of her long-term vision. She’s a nightmare for millennials who fear the entangling of the government and Wall Street. Despite the polarization, she encompasses, the choice of voting for Hillary Clinton is outlined in a few key considerations. Hillary Clinton will get things done. She has the political connections to push legislation through a stagnant Congress. Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate in the history of campaigns. She is the kind of politician who can face Putin and keep America at the top. And lastly, to vote for Hillary requires a sort of blind faith that she will stick to her promises of equality, diversity, and justice, even though her past hasn’t necessarily reflected it
Will America forgive Hillary for her mistakes or will it cost the Democrats the presidency in the general election? Share your perspectives with us!