I’ve seen a lot of posts recently regarding a variety of topics that make me question the integrity of Hillary Clinton and her campaign.
My political leanings could be called fiscally conservative yet socially liberal. This tends to put me in the Democratic camp. With the current candidates, I certainly favor Obama but until recently I figured I would vote for Clinton if Obama didn’t make it as the nominee. That being said, I’m not sure who I would vote for if Obama wasn’t the nominee since I know I couldn’t vote for McCain.
My observations on Hillary Clinton stem from her overall strategy and her approach on her team/delegates.
First, on her strategy she seems to want to win the nomination at all costs including if it kills the Democrats chance at truly winning the White House. She seems to be willing to alienate everyone and anyone that will not get her the nomination. Doesn’t she see that there are a lot of new Democrats that have gotten into this race because they are inspired by Obama? They would stay and support her if they felt their candidate lost to her fair and square but if they felt their candidate lost through dishonest methods then they might stay home and the advantage the Democrats have would suddenly disappear – numbers of voters. It does seem that her husband lost both Houses during his Presidency so maybe it’s a family strategy.
Another strategy I read about is that Clinton is asking her larger supporters to threaten the DNC that they will pull support if they don’t seat the delegates from Florida and Michigan or support a re-vote. This is blackmail. There is no other way to describe it if it is accurate. Also, it is trying to mislead people into thinking that the states primaries were fair when they were not and were in violation of rules and did not have all the candidates listed nor had all the candidates campaigned in the states. Misleading people is just another way of lying. Is this the ethics we want in a President?
Next, when someone on your team misrepresents you or represents you in a way that you feel is wrong and against your beliefs, then you need to shut it down in terms that no one can question. So far, Obama has done that even though it clearly means he has pushed allies aside. When Ferraro started to talk about race in the very ugly way she did (whether or not it was what she meant or not is beside the point it was interpreted and viewed as ugly), Clinton should have immediately shut it down and asked Ferraro to step down.
Some of the press think this might be smart strategy plays by Clinton but I think that is because these press members think that “Joe Public” are stupid. They are wrong!!! The public know and see what is happening. The only people that see this in a different way are avid or rabid Clinton supporters.
I’m still not sure what I will do in the end but Hillary Clinton has chosen a path that has made me doubt whether or not I will support her in the end.