Clinton the fighting technocrat
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton campaigns Wednesday in Zanesville, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
ZANESVILLE, Ohio -- In last night's debate, Hillary Clinton sought to emphasize her fitness to be commander-in-chief, but today in Ohio she is campaigning for a different job: champion-in-chief for the working class.
Knowing that blue-collar workers in this blue-collar state are key to her survival as a presidential candidate, Clinton is trying to demonstrate her mastery of the economy, economic development, and job creation as she stumps across Ohio ahead of Tuesday's primary here.
Hosting an economic summit in Eastern Ohio, she showed off her technocratic side -- talking about Denmark's windmills, Germany's successes with solar power, the $12,000 per year the average family pays for a health care policy, and the particulars of the mortgage crisis.
"It's time that we had a president who's going to be a fighter and a champion for our people again," Clinton said, adding that she will get up every day in the White House and ask, "What are we going to do today to improve the lives of hard-working Americans?"
Not coincidentally, there was also a whiff of protectionism in the air here at Ohio University Zanesville as Clinton, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, and a host of other political and business leaders held a pow-wow to promote Clinton's candidacy.
Clinton vowed to "close every tax loophole that gives one penny of your tax dollars to any company that exports jobs." At least two of the panelists said it was critical that people buy products made in the United States. "If we cannot buy American, fix America first, there's something wrong," said Gary Dwyer, secretary-treasurer for the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council. Clinton replied, "You're absolutely right we have to create a new ethic."
With Clinton and Barack Obama expressing deep concern about trade deals and the consequences of globalization, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told officials and business leaders in Mexico today that enacting protectionist trade policies would be severely damaging at home and abroad. "Protectionist policies would be devastating for our economy and to economies around the world," he said, according to Reuters.



"A fighter and a champion of the people?" Is this another one of her bad jokes? We don't need a self-proclaimed figurehead. We need a leader, and she doesn't have the skills for that as a president. Obama does.
Part of the reason I'm leaning toward Clinton is she actually has plans for change. She may fail in resonating with voters, but this isn't american idol - or is it?
Actions speak louder than words. Check it out:
Obama/Clinton Qualifications
Let's take a closer look at who's really qualified and or who's really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make an informed decision.
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive.
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the fact's straight from the Senate Record.
Now, I would post those of Obama's, but the list is too substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veteran's affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law, The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
He's not just a talker, he's a doer.
Pass it on....It's impressive
Hillary has now backtracked on the "promise" she made about her tax return during the debate. Now she says she will not release them unless she has the nomination in hand and definitely not before taxes are due this year. Does she think we are stupid? There's something rotten in their 2006 return and the world's most creative accountants must be working on the current one. How much you want to bet that the 2006 return will never be disclosed?
OK truth in reporting now. Its easier to get bills passed in a State senate than the US Senate. How many of Obama's "sponsored" bills actually became US law. How many times has he reached across the aisle to republicans to get anything done. Maybe once. Nice try on the spin for your no experience candidate.
President Hillary Rodham Clinton. Get used to saying it. She was just endorsed by another 4 star general and former JCS Henry Shelton. But the news is not reporting it as usual.
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