Still Not Sold on Hillary?
A reader passes on some information about a "conversation and cocktail" geared towards some New York donors who should be in Hillary Clinton's corner but still aren't.
The event, which will feature senior Hillary advisor Ann Lewis, is set to take place on April 11 in the Lower East Side home of Sally Susman and her partner Robin Canter.
From the invitation, as passed on by the reader:
-- Azi PaybarahWe really believe in Hillary Clinton and are working hard to support her campaign. In speaking with many of you, we realize some of you are not yet convinced about Hillary or may have questions you would like to ask the campaign leadership.
There are so many variables associated with Clinton's candidacy, and this is one of them. Can a woman really win the Presidency? Can HRC overcome the trepidation of many independent voters and the visceral hatred of republican voters? What about the 'likeability' factor - she comes off as an automaton to some people (whereas for males this is being confident or resolute)? Is it any wonder why some NY donors are concerned about her electability?
Hillary Clinton would make a great president. She's not going to win the presidency as a result of winning the majority vote of independent and swing voters. They'll be a component of her voting bloc. Her campaign will need Democrats of all ilk to link up, tune in and moblize in ways the voters have not done so in the last eight years. Her campaign, to be successful, must be a true grass roots movement built around networks of relationships. Her campaign's volunteers must out number the GOP nominees' volunteers 4-to-1 on Election Day if she is to be successful. The Clinton people must pay closer attention to the details of their politics. They have to return phone calls. They have to expand their circle to let others who care about America's future in.
I assume that Sally and her partner Robin are a gay couple. Perhaps they should ask Sen. Clinton why she can't come right out and make a statement in support of gay rights and gay marriage, not to mention the rights of gays to serve openly in the military. Perhaps the attendees will want to ask why Hillary voted against a cluster-bomb ban, or why she sponsored an anti-flag burning amendment, or why she won't sponsor legislation to stop the war in Iraq.
So tell me this: what are the reasons we're supposed to be in Hillary's corner? And are we not citizens and voters, not just donors?
Hillary Clinton HAS been talking about ending the ban on LGBT people in the military since she took office. Sheis also openly giving her strong support towards the current LGBT inclusive Hate Crimes Bill and the Trans Inclusive ENDA that the Democrats will be introducing. She also refused to cave on fighting the Bush plan for the Ryan White Care Act's reauthorization that would defund big cities like NYC which have 70% of all HIV cases to shift money to emerging epidemicsin the rural south. Fortunately Clinton prevailed and large urban money is preserved and new money will be had in rural areas. Clinton opposed the FMA twice. Clinton said she believes in full federal equality for committed relationships under civil unions but that "marriages" are all regulated state by state. Last Bush tried to defund all LGBT HHS programs. Clinton helped restore most of their grants.
Yes, it would be better if she embraced the word "marriage." However she has delivered a lot for LGBT citizens under a Republican majority (many of the Dems we consider leaders on AIDS were prepared to support the Bush Ryan White Plan) Aside from the word "marriage" Clinton is VERY strong on LGBT issues and has a 100% HRC voting record in the Senate.
Hillary Clinton HAS been talking about ending the ban on LGBT people in the military since she took office. Sheis also openly giving her strong support towards the current LGBT inclusive Hate Crimes Bill and the Trans Inclusive ENDA that the Democrats will be introducing. She also refused to cave on fighting the Bush plan for the Ryan White Care Act's reauthorization that would defund big cities like NYC which have 70% of all HIV cases to shift money to emerging epidemicsin the rural south. Fortunately Clinton prevailed and large urban money is preserved and new money will be had in rural areas. Clinton opposed the FMA twice. Clinton said she believes in full federal equality for committed relationships under civil unions but that "marriages" are all regulated state by state. Last Bush tried to defund all LGBT HHS programs. Clinton helped restore most of their grants.
Yes, it would be better if she embraced the word "marriage." However she has delivered a lot for LGBT citizens under a Republican majority (many of the Dems we consider leaders on AIDS were prepared to support the Bush Ryan White Plan) Aside from the word "marriage" Clinton is VERY strong on LGBT issues and has a 100% HRC voting record in the Senate.
A quick glance at the Human Rights Campaign scorecard referred to above reveals that Clinton received 100% score -- but only for the 107th Congress, three years ago. Subsequent scores, for the 108th and 109th Congress have fallen to 88 and 89, respectively.