Count me among those optimistic that president Clinton #2 will be far more progressive and successful than some of the skeptics here believe. I too am inspired when Senator Sanders speaks and wish everything he supports could be implemented by lunch time today, but I don’t think that is very likely. So even though it can be frustrating at time, it can be more effective at times to have a president attuned to the politics of the possible. See below the squiggly thing for examples and predictions.
Consider two examples from the first Clinton administration, health care and don’t ask don’t tell. The health care initiative, led by then First Lady (silly term) Clinton, was just a little beyond what the public would get behind at that moment. So, it failed, at least at the time. I firmly believe this effort had great value in laying the foundation for the ACA which is laying the groundwork for the public option and then finally to single payer. Again, we should have single payer now, but clearly with the repubs in control of congress, we can’t.
Don’t ask don’t tell was silly, dehumanizing, and had the unintended consequence of resulting in more not fewer brave and loyal soldiers being expelled from the military. But it was what was possible at the time. Looking back I think it was a very, very important step towards what has been a remarkable turnaround and improvement in the general public’s view of LGTB rights and improved culture of acceptance.
To me, candidate Clinton is showing a clear and predictable understanding that there are many things that are possible now that were not in 1996. Her support for a renewed 50-state campaign demonstrates that she understands that 2016 has the potential to be a noteworthy swing in the progressive direction and, therefore, rather than trying to eke out a small electoral college victory she is keeping the door open to the much larger and more definitive win that we need to take back the House. Her selection of a Dreamer to run Hispanic outreach was, to me, inspiring.
Lastly, consider that her support for women’s issues is unquestionable and the overlay of women’s issues and progressive issues is a near 100% match. President Clinton #2 will secure the progress made in the Obama administration, select Supreme Court judges who follow the constitution and precedent, and, I predict, will be surprisingly progressive. I look forward to discussing this further in mid 2017 when she is really hitting her stride as president.