In response to a Quora user about how her role as a grandmother would make her a better president, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton responded that she is in awe of everything her granddaughter Charlotte does, and is always thinking about the baby’s future. And while the former First Lady says children and families have always been her focus, being a grandmother has given her a renewed sense of purpose in her work.
She added: “I want to make sure she grows up in a country that is peaceful and prosperous—one that gives everyone an opportunity to live up to his or her potential.” And then she cited specific policies like access to quality pre-K programs and affordable health care. “I want to make sure we’re educating families about the importance of reading and singing to their babies to help them build vocabulary. And we have to make sure that all children—no matter where they live—can grow up safely and free from discrimination,” she said. “And I want to make sure they can attend college without taking on massive student loan debt. Because you shouldn’t have to be the grandchild of a former president to be successful.”
Clinton’s critics of course rained on her grandma parade and suggested she uses granddaughter Charlotte to appear more appealing to voters. We wanted to hear from our Facebook fans on this one: Would being a grandmother make her a better leader? Here are some of the comments:
Nancy Leslie wrote “You understand as a grandmother just how very important the future is. There’s nothing that makes a safe world more important than watching someone you love more than life itself grow in this wonderful world.” Sue Mitchell agrees and says she will be a better president because she has a huge investment in the future. And Lois Rubin Gross notes, “Well, it might help her deal better with the GOP in Congress.
But not all agree. Christine Jansen Gregory says being a grandmother will help Clinton about “as much as me looking looking at photos of young svelte models would make me one.” And Carol Schaffer found it a “stupid and even insulting thing to say.” She says, “So for the women who do not have children, or grandchildren, they would be less effective, or not as good?”
Tom Stowe said that staying at home and going to the park with his grandchild “has made my life better.” He thinks that “maybe it’s time to put an age cap on who can be President.” He adds, “Yes life’s experiences help you make decisions, but those decisions can be both good or bad if you’re bringing your personal life into your decision. What is good for you personally, may not be good for the country as a whole.”
Reader Di Hollis says “It has nothing to do with being a parent or a grandparent. It has to do with WHO you are.” Which led to a long comment by Vivian R. Diaz Amato, who sent us a list of questions she’d like Clinton to be asked during the next debate. You can read them here, and let’s just say, it appears she is not a fan.
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