Who is Hillary Clinton?

We've all become side-tracked. We've all got lost. We're all having the wrong conversations. As a Clinton supporter, I am being asked about delegates and superdelegates, about Mark Penn and Jeremiah Wright, about percentages and demographics. But let's remember something: the issue is not how the candidates can win (and they both still can, of course); the issue is still what they would do if they did.

When Hillary announced her candidacy she said she was the most famous person in America that nobody knows. During the course of this campaign, her opponents and detractors have tried to introduce her to us in all sorts of unfavorable lights. There have also, inevitably, been moments in her campaign that some of her own supporters have felt awkward about.

But if you want to know what Hillary Clinton believes in, what she stands for, and what's in her heart, then look at what she's been fighting for her whole life: she's been fighting for people who need help.

Here's a woman who, when she graduated, went to work for the Children's Defense Fund, rather than for a fancy law firm with a big salary. Here is a woman who introduced legislation to tie Congressional salary increases to an increase in the minimum wage because she believes that if America's working people don't deserve a raise, neither do their elected officials. That's the Hillary I know: a woman of compassion and conviction.

Extending health care to those without it, to the young, the vulnerable, and the poor has been the great passion of her public life. Hillary Clinton - so demonized by her opponents - is a woman who has been fighting for the truly Democratic ideal of universal health care for the best part of two decades. She has sponsored legislation to fight the global problem of HIV and AIDS. She has authored legislation to reduce the price of prescription drugs. She was instrumental in the foundation and continuing success of S CHIP. Hillary gets it. And then she gets results.

So let's see the content of her character in every little boy and girl who has access to a hospital thanks to her work on S CHIP. Let's see the inspiration Hillary has given to those women across the world who have been able to stand with her and say that women's rights are human rights. Or to all those who saw a First Lady join a gay pride march for the first time and knew that the world was changing.

Let's see the inspiration in being able to show our daughters that there is nothing they can't do, nothing they can't achieve in this new century of ours. And - not just for our generation, but for our mothers and grandmothers who couldn't even vote - let's fight for the chance to say the words "Madam President" to someone who we know can be relied on to get things done.

Because those of us supporting Hillary are not just standing up for her, we're standing up for the 47 million uninsured Americans who will be covered under President Clinton. We're standing up for the veterans who will be treated right by her administration. We're standing up for a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility; for jobs and for the economy.

We're not just supporting Hillary Clinton, we're supporting a moratorium on home foreclosures for struggling families; a green collar sector creating local employment and cleaner energy production; we're supporting mental health reform and a stronger middle class.

We're not just standing up for Hillary Clinton, we're standing with everyone who wants American soldiers brought quickly and safely home from Iraq; everyone who wants to restore America's standing in the world; everyone who wants to leave this world a cleaner and greener place for our children.

And Hillary's supporters are standing up for her, because they know she will stand up for them as President, as their advocate abroad and their champion at home.

They are standing up for her, because they know she will work her heart out for them. And they know that, because that's what she's been doing her whole life.

Comments

[Prabhata]

What this article doesn't say about Hillary it's that she's responsible for the mess BO is in. If she had quit, like she was asked by BO's supporters and the media, BO would not have lost TX, PA, RI, and now PA. If she had quit, like she was supposed to, BO would not be in debates and being asked about issues that tie his tongue and makes him sound uninformed. It's all her fault. If she had only quit, he would look like a winner.

[kROCK]

WOW.. the BO lovers just can't let Hillary have a moment of glory, can they.

You angry people are the ones pushing us Hillary supporters to not even want to vote, or not vote Democrat in the general.

Where is all of this positivity that Barack supposedly emanates?

Its become all too obvious that little boys are afraid of a woman becoming President, and actually fixing problems.

No one has been able to answer the following for me in over a year:

What change can Obama bring?
What policies of his drew you to support him?

Neither of these candidates can reach 2025 w/o superdelegates.

Were FL and MI counted... this race would be over.

Funny how other states violated DNC rules and had their primaries early.... were they states that BO carried? HMMMMMM

Put down the Kool-Aid people!

MADAME PRESIDENT HILLARY, 2008!

[Anjisan]

At last - on Huff Post of all places - a post telling people where Hillary comes from and her history of helping women and children. Thank you Simon, and thank you Huff Post for allowing this article on your so obviously pro Obama site.

[skyblu]

Dear Simon Woods,

re: Who is Hillary Clinton?

Finally~ one who takes great risks to write a fantastic response to those who question why we vote for Hillary Clinton. At the end of the day, each one of us must decide who we will entrust to lead our country. Partisan politics and pundicrats aside...it can be a sacred act if we shut out the noise and distractions; consider the facts; listen to our hearts; and consider the best available path forward for forgiveness and resurrection...and so we choose one or the other or to choose not to choose.

There is no time for pettiness or quarrles or internecine political fratricide, nor collective pressure by self annointed know it alls to prematurely end a primary contest that is, after all in fact the perogative of the American voter, not political cliques.

Thank you Simon Woods for a beautifully written piece about Hillary which explains to those too cavernous in vision and thought to see the precious gem she truly is; endowed with a brilliant mind and grace; compassion and dedication and tenacity; and a wisdom and justice cultivated over a lifte time of public service.

What a gentle, powerful, succinct sonata in prose of why so many of us endorse Hillary. Thank you so much for sharing on this blog why Hillary is our choice.

[Grizzlies]

Simon Woods is to be congratulated for an article well done. Not only has she "been fighting for people who need help" she is the single senator to introduce "legislation to tie congressional salary increases to an increase in the minimum wage." Lest we forget, the average woman today, with equal experience to a man, earns .77 cents to a male earning $1. That said may I offer yet another reason to vote for Hillary? She has been tested and vetted by a male dominated, bias media who, like some men, are reluctant to salute a female as Commander-In-Chief. For men, like me, I understand the terms EXPERIENCE and SUBSTANCE. Happily, I also understand Hillary is the only solid choice for PRESIDENT of the UNITED STSTES!!

[Talves]

Senator Clinton is supremely more qualified to be president then Obama. After the debate debacle it is clear that he is unelectable and for someone so new to politics he has way too much baggage. We need experience not an experiement. Senator Clinton is a fighter and she will revive this country and bring back jobs and make education affordable. It is time to vote smart and vote Clinton.

[catriley]

Thank you for a compelling look at the real Hillary Clinton. Strip away attacks meant to silence her on universal health care. Are the people parrotting those attacks now aware that they came from the insurance industry lobbyists to stop her from remaking our health insurance market?

Take the time to watch the videos "The Hillary I Know" to see what type of character the woman has. It's story after story of how Hillary has personally changed the lives of everyday people. Frankly, watching those, and reading more about her, is what moved into supporting her with such passion. The gruesome attacks on her in this primary, but the media and others, actually cemented my support for her.

I take issue with people dumping on Hillary because of her vote on the IWR. As IF Hillary was the only person that voted for it. Where were the protesters at John Kerry's office? How about when he appears with Obama? Reasonable people understand that was not a blank check to go to war -- it was a tool to force Saddam's hand. Bush and the PNAC are solely responsible for what ensued. Michael Moore perfectly illustrated why the "she authorized the war" meme is a sham. He cannot 'endorse someone that authorized the war', though he endorsed John Kerry. Also, Moore (like most others who use that excuse not to support Hillary) frequently calls the war "illegal" If Hillary (apparently single-handedly) authorized the war, then it's not "illegal."

[marymansour]

Ah Hillary - the girl from everywhere. Arkansas, New York and on to Scranton PA. Grandpa made lace n a factory. Oh how sweet we are. Has anyone ever stopped to think that dual personalities are not in the best interest of a president? You can't be all things to all people. This is what makes Hillary Clinton so brittle and bi-polar in her persona. She may have done some good works over the years but she has bragged about them to the point of producing nausea in those within reading or hearing range. My take on Hillary is that she is an elitist and not one of the masses as she continually tries to portray herself. She is superbly educated and makes millions. How does she connect with those on a middle class income scratching to pay taxes and bills? Quick answer - SHE DOESN'T.

[Anjisan]

Why not read Simon's piece - it has actual facts - not just opinions!

[yaels]

Thank you for fact-finding and truth-telling in such an unwelcoming environment of illusion loving.

[Plowboy]

Who is Hillary? Ask her!
It will depend on where she is and who you are.

[FlowerGirl]

Perfect!

[Anjisan]

Did you actually take the time to read Simon's factual piece here?

[Anjisan]

Sounds like you didn't actually take the time to read Simon's factual piece here?

[YY2H8]

Apparently if you don't praise Hillary here you can't post. What are you scared of? It seems like the typical fingers-sh­oved-down-­ear-canals la-la-la-la I can speak but I can't hear response that comes with support of the Clinton machine.

[Anjisan]

Did you actually take the time to read Simon's factual piece here?

[YY2H8]

Who is Hillary? A woman with a delusional ego and a penchant for playing—or preying on--the less fortunate and the gullable to gain power, position, and personal fortune.

In spite of her laser focus and much ballyhooed concern for healthcare, when she had a chance to make good on her promises, her overweening ego did not permit her to collaborate or compromise to reach a solution. Thanks to her inflexible insistence that the glory be hers and hers alone, we do not have the healthcare she promised--or any beneficial reform.

There are so many examples of this sort of specious display of caring that really boils down to caring for Hillary in the end.

I believe you are sincere in your support, but I also believe you are misguided. I’m as sorry for you as I am for the guys selling mangled bags of blighted oranges in traffic. Trying to sell Hillary the Saint is a horrible position for you to be in.

[Hako]

I don't think Simon is trying to "sell" anybody anything. I think he is trying to lend a little balance to
a lop-sided conversation, a conversation dominated by haters that are eager to attack Hillary based on conspiracy theories and "scandals" that never amounted to much. She is like every other human being I know, a mixture of flaws and virtues. I would suggest her rabid detractors wipe the foam from their mouths and actually read about her life, but I know they won't bother, they prefer their blind hatred.
Hillary is a driven, ambitious person, and tough, but she is capable of reaching across the aisle in the Senate. She wins respect from most Republicans she works with, and wins over her detractors as they get to know her. Her interest in the children and human rights didn't start this election cycle, it's present throughout her biography. She is a remarkable person by any standard, and she deserves credit for the good she has done, and continues to try to do.

[Anjisan]

This is sad. You posted your hateful opinion, but were unable to parse and research the facts of Simon's piece. Hillary's background has been in supporting women and children. These are facts - not opinions - do your homework before you post.

[cherrycola]

"Let's see the inspiration in being able to show our daughters that there is nothing they can't do, nothing they can't achieve in this new century of ours."

By "our daughters" you must mean 1) the daughters who haven't been killed or maimed in the Iraq War that Hillary voted to authorize and 2) the daughters who are white, since Hillary has done her best to show that black American presidential candidates are "unelectable" especially if they have any friends or associates who espouse black liberation theology.

". . .look at what she's been fighting for her whole life: she's been fighting for people who need help."

You must mean self-help, right?

[thinking500]

I have never seen a heroic politician so reduced by her own party. With so many good choices to choose from for a Democratic candidate after the torture of the bush years, I think we Dems got spoiled and finicky. The Obama hysteria is the culprit for Hillary being dragged through mud. It's funny how it's viewed the other way. Think about it: it's cool to say 'I hate hillary," and it's far from PC to say "I hate Obama."

[goodsnservices]

lol. Headlines: "Hillary repeatedly shoots self in face. Obamamaniacs to blame!"

[Plowboy]

There is good reason for that.
WAR:
http://www.cnn.com/2006//POLITICS/01/20/ivins.hillary/index.html
but she claims to have opposed it before Obama!

And change? Scaife and Murdock are not stupid. They know why they support her. Do you?
But then there is a very telling tale about Bosnia which had to be exposed -- but if one is used to saying anythinng convenient and expecting to get away with it, ... Doesn't this tell you that (unless she is really delusional) she must be a classic sociopath?

[cblcar]

Wow. A positive blog for Hillary on HuffPo. Glad I had a chance to read it because I'm sure it won't stay up long here in Obamama-ville. You forgot one thing. Hillary is the only one who is tough enough to stand up to the Republicans and take back the White House. That lady has balls that won't quit.

Hillary '08!