Why I Really Am With Her
There is a lot I could say on my feelings about Donald Trump, but continuously going that route becomes problematic because… I’m not with Hillary Clinton by default, I’m with her by choice. I mean, it would be equally rude to go on about all of my ex’s and finally end with, “And that’s why I married Josh,” as if he’s the only option left that makes sense. No, I chose Josh and he chose me because we saw something in each other that said we’d be a good partnership.
So, politically, I choose Hillary Clinton. I don’t choose her because she’s not Trump. I choose her because she is Clinton.
It begins with her being the most qualified candidate ever. She has already spent 8 years in the White House with a front row seat to the presidency and all the job entails. She has been a senator and Secretary of State. She knows, without a doubt, what she is getting into, and that makes a huge difference in the possibility of her success in the office.
I’m with Hillary because of her stance on responsible gun ownership. I’m with her because she supports background checks and will work to close loopholes that allow guns to be sold to people who, frankly, shouldn’t have guns.
I’m with Hillary because she is working to keep legislators’ hands off my reproductive organs. She supports Planned Parenthood and has publicly said that she will stand up to Republicans who want to defund the organization that brings critical health care to so many women.
I’m with Hillary because she has sensible, realistic ideas about immigration, taking into account that immigrants are human beings with the same wants and needs as citizens. That the goal should be moving more people towards becoming legal citizens rather than punishment. She makes it clear that immigrants are just people, part of the “us”, rather than an amorphous “them.”
I’m with Hillary because she is going to continue with education reforms and tweak the ones in place, reducing the number of tests children are expected to take to prove their teachers’ worth. She has a plan for making preschool accessible to all children, not just the ones who can afford it. And she’ll continue the work of making college affordable. So many things are interconnected including strong education plans and a reduction of crime. By giving more people more options, you will create a future generation that doesn’t feel backed into a financial corner.
I’m with Hillary because I believe she cares about work-life balance. That she wants families to succeed and for people to have the space to care for children, elderly parents, or ill relatives. That she’ll do everything in her power to influence that change in the workplace.
I’m with Hillary because she knows the limit of her position and doesn’t make promises of what she’ll do as president that ARE NOT POSSIBLE FROM THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT. No one should have this position without understanding the requirements and restrictions of this position.
Those are the immediate reasons that pop into my head. I’m sure that if I sat here with this post open for another hour, I could yank twenty additional reasons for why I support Hillary Clinton. But at the end of the day, just as with Josh, it’s a gut decision. I look at her and think, “Yes, I would like her to lead our nation.” I don’t need her to be my friend or make me laugh or make me feel like I want to grab a coffee with her. I just need a smart, calm, rational person to lead our nation.
That’s why I’m with her.
26 comments
Well said.
Actually made me tear up. Thank you.
I love this so much. #I’mWithHer
Amen
I am not a fan of the Clintons in general, because I automatically shy away from people who clearly revel in their power. But I have felt from the start that Hillary was the most qualified candidate on the field. And sometimes, in am a single issue voter, and that issue is reproductive rights.
I want very much to believe that she will do all the things she says she is going to do. Then I remember that I had tremendous hopes for Bill, and then he initiated ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, had sex with an intern, and removed restrictions from the banking industry. I am sure she will be a good POTUS, but it may set us back if she has similar economic plans has her husband. I think we need someone who is more progressive than Hillary, someone to take on Obama’s legacy and push it forward. I don’t think she is that person, because she is so firmly entrenched within the establishment. I want to be as excited voting for her as I was voting for Bill and for Obama, but I’m not. The important thing is that she gets to be POTUS, and maybe I will be convinced. But you are right, I don’t need to like her and want to have coffee with her, I just need to believe she is the best candidate we have for the job. And I do. I’m just more jaded and cynical about it.
*I* am a single issue voter
Yes, all of this.
So well said.
Me too. And that’s my professional opinion as a PhD economist who works on policy.
All of this.
Great post. She’s not perfect, but what politician is?? As you say, and as the president himself has said, there is no one in history (including himself, and including her husband) who is more qualified to hold this office.
And yes, she’s a heck of a lot better than the alternative. :p 😉
(Not that I get a vote, as a Canadian. But we have to live with the consequences of your choice this November too…!)
I don’t like her track record, the way the email thing went down, her stance on vaccines, the corporations supporting her, or the trail of deaths that lead to the Clintons. She intimidated my choice and the DNC stacked the deck against him, but there is no way in hell I will vote for Trump and the independents don’t have the experience needed (or the chance to accumulate enough support). I will vote for Hillary because she likely won’t run the country into the ground and has the experience to maybe get things done to move us in the right direction (I say maybe because of the two parties trend of not working together). I don’t like her and I don’t trust her but I will vote for her this one time.
I’m also with her, for many of the reasons you described. Plus I don’t get hung up much on whether I like a candidate: I vote for candidates who I believe are most likely to support and promote the positions I support on issues that matter to me.
It’s interesting that even people who will vote for her have drunk the “she can’t be trusted” Koolaid. And it’s puzzling why people hold Bill’s cheating and other actions against her. Really??? I would personally prefer a more progressive candidate but I always feel that way. She’s one of the best we’ve had in my lifetime. It’s sad that she basically has to be twice as good as any candidate before her to even get considered and then tiny things are held against her while DT literally gets away with saying/doing anything… I do wish she’d chosen Cory Booker as her running mate…
Agree with Working Mom of 2! Though I’m happy with Tim Kaine. It is amazing what a wealth of great talent we have on the democratic side– there are a lot of people who would be fine as president (which is ultimately what you want in a vice president).
She’s one of the most trustworthy candidates we’ve ever had, just by objective measures (like fact checking sites).
Good. I am happy to read this post and these comments.
Like Loribeth, I do not get to vote. But we are all watching what you are doing. The entire Europe is postponing decisions on loads of stuff just to see what has to be done in case she is not the next POTUS. If the most terrible scenario comes true, there will be so much damage control needed, that we’ll all be living in a new damaged and controlled reality. I can’t remember another instance when an election was so important. Brexit doesn’t even compare to this. Although in itself that was an absolutely horrible moment for Europe.
So. Choose well. Take the time and explain your stance to your family and friends, persuade them if they are not convinced, but without losing your temper, because that will not help. Go and vote, and never forget that this is something that starts with you, one individual, at a time. Every vote does count, and I hope there will be a large turnout this election.
America, you ARE great. Don’t let anyone fool you you’re not. Do the right thing. We have great hopes for you.
Love,
One European
Ditto!
Everyone here too is watching what happens this November. As Loribeth said, the rest of the world has to live with your decision, or worse. Because as the saying goes, America sneezes, and the rest of the world catches cold.
I am glad that you have a candidate you can choose in this way, and can happily articulate why. (I’d vote for her for those reasons too.)
You have convinced me to quit waffling and considering third party candidates. I forget the whole “double plus qualified” by virtue of being a senator and Secretary of State. I shouldn’t.
Yep. I have interacted with Hillary and her team on a project. That experience taught me she is super smart, thorough, really cares about this country, the world and everyone in it and will get the job done.
I have not worked with HRC but I know people who have and they agree with jiraffe.
One of them told me that she is running because she thinks she’s the best candidate for the job and she’s right about that.
This is so heartwarming to read when it feels like everything political we see right now is negative. So, overwhelmingly negative. And it makes me teary that you swayed someone to vote for her. Good job Mel.
I too am with her, for the reasons you listed although, a little less excited than I was when she ran against Obama. Then I was 110% with her. This time, well I still feel she’s so well qualified, and I’d vote for anyone to save us from DT, but…my heart belonged to Bernie and I’m just less enthused. Plus, seeing the day to day sexism that still exists in the country I find it hard to believe that any woman even one as exceedingly qualified as HRC is going to ever be accepted as president. And that makes me profoundly sad. All said though #Imwithher
Well said. It always amazes me that people DON’T want to elect someone who is clearly ready for the position. I don’t get promoted until I demonstrate that I can do the job I’m going for. Why is it different in politics?
This might be the best post/article I have read regarding the election and your chosen candidate. I am so torn because I really can’t stand either one of them. You are helping me to lean toward her though, simply because you explain your decision so rationally. It doesn’t seem like very many people can do that anymore.
I am with her 100%. Everything you said. I also want someone in office who is cool and collected. I want someone who will be responsible and work well with the rest of the world. I’m very concerned about international relationships & I want someone in there who is as well. A Secretary of State has that experience many times over.
I want her in the office. I am with her.