During much of the 2016 campaign, there’s been an attempt by some media – and some voters – to paint Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton with one brush, implying that this election is a choice between two bad candidates. That simply isn’t true. The differences couldn’t be starker. Clinton and Trump are not equals.
We strongly endorse Clinton for president. Her resume and list of achievements are unmatched by most of her contemporaries; she is easily one of the most experienced and capable candidates we’ve had in recent history.
Our endorsement of Clinton is not just an anti-Trump stand. We embrace Clinton because she is exceptionally well qualified. And we embrace her because her vision for America’s future is the progressive movement’s firmest wall against the right’s fixation on otherness – one that would splinter America into voiceless, powerless factions.
Even some of the most conservative editorial pages in the country are uncharacteristically endorsing Clinton. They recognize that Trump is a threat to an inclusive, multi-cultural, fully functioning democracy.
Admittedly, some voters will be troubled by FBI director James Comey’s decision to review new emails. At this point, no one knows whether this has any relevance at all. Given the FBI’s previous findings, the chance that it will now find something incriminating is unlikely. But if it does, the federal government has institutions and procedures in place to deal with it.
Comey’s decision has injected confusion and suspicion into an already volatile campaign. Some Americans may stay home on Election Day, exhausted by the continuing suspicion about Clinton, believing she isn’t liberal enough, or figuring she’ll win without their help. But Great Britain’s Brexit vote is a chilling reminder of what happens when voters disengage.
The case for electing Clinton isn’t based on a desire to elect our first woman president. Though its significance can’t be ignored, Clinton has earned the credibility to hold the office irrespective of her gender.
Her nearly 40-year commitment to public service began when she was a young woman. She has long championed the needs of women, children, and working families, beginning by co-founding Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. She was an active First Lady in Arkansas and First Lady of the US, where she made a serious but unsuccessful attempt to reform health care. She became an outspoken advocate of human rights, once stirring controversy during a speaking engagement in China.
New Yorkers elected her twice to the Senate, where she was praised for her ability to work with members of both parties. She served as Secretary of State under President Obama in an extremely challenging time. As Clinton enters the White House, she’ll already have the relationships with leaders – here and abroad – needed by a president.
During the 2016 campaign, she has turned her attention to the need for criminal and social-justice reform, reducing college debt, and making public college free for low- and middle-income students and their families. Her grasp of serious, complex issues was evident in all three presidential debates. And she’s shown an ability to evolve, a willingness to listen and change her views on issues like trade agreements.
Most important, Clinton has shown that she can be calm and rational under intense pressure. These are demanding times for the US at home and abroad. She’s fully prepared to address international challenges, whether it’s an erratic leader in North Korea, the spread of terrorism and violence, the rise of China and India as economic powers, or the growing strength of Russian and Chinese militaries.
Clinton has faults, and we’re not naïve about them. Anyone who has worked in the public realm as long as Clinton has a record of highs and lows. The FBI investigation into her email is clearly a low point. Another was her vote in favor of the Iraq War, a decision that many Americans opposed.
More recently, Clinton encouraged the Obama administration to use force in Libya to overthrow Qaddafi, and her hawkish tendencies worry many Americans. The country has been in a near constant state of conflict for decades, and as we have learned, there are limitations – and long-lasting repercussions – to using force to achieve peace.
Clinton’s years in the national spotlight have come with some of the most withering and personal attacks laid on any politician in recent memory. She has been the focus of countless unfounded, convoluted accusations. While that has shown that she is resilient and has remarkably tough armor, the intense scrutiny seems to have made her reflexively less transparent. And that has resulted in even more questioning of her character – and of her instincts. Who does she turn to for expert advice? Does she listen to them, or does she surround herself with loyalists and sycophants who tell her what she wants to hear?
Clinton was advised, for instance, not to use a private server, and as reports about that use broke, she was urged to quickly apologize. She didn’t listen. She was also warned about the potential for conflicts of interest involving the Clinton Foundation while she was serving as Secretary of State.
So Clinton herself has sometimes handed her critics ammunition. But it’s worth noting that she acknowledges her mistakes. And her missteps and her tendency to be secretive are nowhere near as serious a problem as her opponent’s defects.
In contrast, Donald Trump has run one of the most troubling political campaigns in the modern era, sending his party into a tailspin, fomenting racial and religious hostility, and inciting violence. He has merrily reduced the 2016 elections into an episode of reality TV, complete with name-calling, angry outbursts, and sexual innuendo – what author Gore Vidal characterized as the results of an “unfed mind.” He is so unqualified that he should never have become the GOP candidate.
“Trump’s manipulation of racism and xenophobia,” the Nation said in its endorsement, “his attacks on the press and the judiciary, his demonization of his opponents and gleeful encouragement of violence by his supporters, may not fit the definition of fascism, but they pose a clear and present danger to our Republic.”
Overlooked, by the way, because of all of Trump’s other problems is his choice in a running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence. A conservative who is far to the right of Trump, Pence has been at the center of some of the most controversial anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ legislative proposals in the country.
The danger of a Trump victory is real. Aided by a Republican Congress that is almost absent of moderates and bipartisan thinking, Trump would appoint Supreme Court justices who would uphold legislation limiting the rights of voters and the LGBTQ community. Trump court appointments would be hostile to any attempt to overturn Citizens United, restrictions on campaign finance, and regulations to protect the environment.
Nothing would stand in the way of repealing Roe v. Wade or the Affordable Care Act.
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid could be privatized and converted into some type of voucher system. Public education would also be at the mercy of the market and, like most commodities, a college education would be available primarily to those families with money. Gains in middle-income wages, the first in 30 years, would be lost as Republicans dashed back to a trickle-down economy.
A compassionate people do not break up families and deport parents, grandparents, and young people. A people who value education, science, and the environment do not ignore the findings on climate change. They don’t ignore the financial, environmental, and human costs associated with our continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Hillary Clinton is not a perfect candidate, but she is smart, experienced, and exceptionally well qualified. She should enter the presidency with strong support. The size of the popular vote, then, is important.
Even in a “safe” Clinton state like New York, this is no time for a protest vote. Americans who are appalled by Trump, and by Republicans who have danced around him, must send a message to the Republican leadership, nationally and locally. They must send a message to Congress, the nation, and the international community, rejecting Donald Trump and all that he stands for.
Ultimately, this election is as much about us as it is about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. It’s about who we are as a people. What we do on November 8 will speak volumes, to us, and to the world, about who we are as Americans and the principles we believe in.
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2016.
I’m for Trump.
We need to secure our border, why is this even controversial? When we cross the Canadian border they do a record check. A DWI conviction will get you banned, yet we allow thousands to cross illegally and grant sanctuary if someone reports them as being here .
The mass influx of Syrians into Europe has created a situation where terror attacks have become common place. Trump has identified this as an important issue. Again, why is this even controversial? He is not talking about ending immigration, only illegal immigrants who have not been vetted .
Trump wants to renegotiate trade deals so that American workers have some protection when competing with workers in Asia who work for Pennies an hour. He wants to bring back Manufacturing jobs to America.I understand why the Corporations might oppose this but it could return some of the high paying jobs that we have lost since NAFTA.
Finally he wants us to stop being the worlds policeman and have our wealthy allies contribute to their own defense .Again, I believe that is just being smart. Hillary has supported wars that have resulted in thousands of deaths with no discernible positive outcomes.
One of the biggest decisions Hillary made as my Senator was to vote in favor of authorizing the invasion of and war against Iraq. I view that vote as Hillary’s epic failure.
I also believe the environment is the most significant issue face everyone on Earth. Hillary is too “corporately-correct”…meaning she doesn’t seem to have the strength to butt heads with her corporate donors to make the extreme decisions needed to help heal the environment. She won’t committ to a ban on fracking.
Healthcare needs a major reboot, but Hillary said single payer will never happen here.
Finally, Hillary has far too much baggage to be the leader America needs now. Republicans are already gearing up to block anything Hillary will attempt to do. Whether her baggage is her own fault is not the issue. We know now the baggage will be dragged alone for years to come.
Never Hillary. Never Trump.
I want Jill Stein as my next President.
So City has endorsed Clinton. Huge surprise Rochester, HUGE! She could rob a bank and City would still rationalize why she should be president. Oh wait, in addition to the email investigation, the FBI does have an ongoing investigation into financial malfeasance at the Clinton foundation (reported by the WSJ on Monday, and confirmed by the NYT today).
It is easy to see why Trump would not be endorsed by someone. In fact, it is difficult to see why anyone would. But the same is true of Clinton. Like Trump, she lies, repeatedly, about her misbehavior. And like Trump, she is dirty financially. She and Bill extorted millions from Wall Street and foreign governments in exchange for access. City does not even mention her corruption in its endorsement.
As of today, polls are showing these two liars tied. It is a sad day for America when the quality of our candidates declines to such a level. The recommended course of action for City to recommend should have been to suggest that its readers vote for either the Libertarian or Green Party candidates.
Set aside progressive ideology and ask yourself a few questions.
How many jobs did Clinton bring to Western NY? 13 weeks mandatory paid time off might sound great but do you really think that increasing the cost to hire people will encourage employers to hire more people? What does “standing up to Wall Street mean and how will that create jobs?
Trump has not proposed a voucher system to replace Medicare or SS and he wouldn’t have the votes to do so it he wanted. The fact is that neither candidate has shown the courage to propose a solution to the massive unfunded liabilities in these accounts. I also don’t recall Trump proposing any anti LGBTQ laws and he also wouldn’t have the authority to overturn Roe v. Wade. A constitutional amendment requires a 2/3 majority from both houses of Congress and ratification of 3/4 of the states.
I understand the progressive bias but I think it should be based more on reality than on scare tactics. Trump would certainly appoint more conservative Supreme Court Justices. Hillary would appoint liberal justices and Citizens United could be overturned. But ask yourself which candidate has received the bulk of the financing from corporations and unions. Like I said, some objectivity might be in order.
The following is attributed to Chris Matthews. Couldn’t have said it better myself:
“If you like the way things are and the way they are heading in this country. If youd like to continue the destruction of our manufacturing base and our jobs that went with it. If you like uncontrolled illegal immigration. If you like being involved in stupid wars from Iraq to Libya to Syria. If you want to say yes to all that and keep all this the way it is vote for Hillary Clinton. If you dont like the way things are heading, youve got a chance to shake this system to its roots.”
Hillary is the most qualified person still in the race. If you don’t see that you just have an axe to grind. Unfortunately, you’re just going to end up hurting yourself. The hypocrisy of Trump supporters is mind boggling. “We love America…Burn it to the ground!”
Here are my thoughts, not that anybody asked…
Q: “We need to secure our border, why is this even controversial?
A: Restricting immigration is one of the most un-American things you can say.
Q: “Trump wants to renegotiate trade deals so that American workers have some protection when competing with workers in Asia who work for Pennies an hour.”
A: Trade deals keep prices down. If trade deals are reworked, prices will go up, but your income wont.
Q:”Hillary has far too much baggage to be the leader America needs now”
A: Did O’bama have baggage? Republicans would do this to any Democrat regardless. Don’t beg the question. “Hilary is unfit because the republicans said she is unfit”. Please.
Q:”ask yourself which candidate has received the bulk of the financing from corporations and unions”
A: Hilary may be funded by corporations, but trump IS the corporation. Are you asking us why bother with second hand “corruption” when you can get it from the horse’s mouth? How ridiculous to think that politicians can’t fund raise in the current system. Until there’s a cap on campaign financing its a necessary evil. Nobody would stand a chance against the billionaires, and then they’d do what they want once elected anyways!
Q:”If you like being involved in stupid wars from Iraq to Libya to Syria”
A: All of a sudden Republicans are against wars in the Middle East. How convenient. “we fight them over there so we don’t have to fight them here”. When did all the Republicans have their “Oh S#!t” moment and turn on the wars? My guess is right after they stopped making money on it.
Q:”If you don’t like the way things are heading, you’ve got a chance to shake this system to its roots.”
A: And sometimes that tree falls on you…
Dan…no comment about Hillary’s support for the Iraq war or about the environment?? Those are my hot issues and nothing could make me change my mind abiut those issues.
Your endorsement is a thoughtful, factual presentation which lead to only one logical conclusion. The net is full of so many criticisms without basis, so many misconceptions, so many false statements from all sides. I compliment the City Newspaper Staff for it’s extensive research of the facts & the it’s conclusions. I hope many will read your article to help them sort through thier own questions & come to an educated, sensible decision.
Dan
No one is talking about restricting Legal immigration so your comment should read that restricting illegal immigration is Un-American. Do you really believe that?
“If trade deals are reworked prices will go up but your income won’t “
It will if you work in manufacturing. It will for everyone from the product demand created by higher paying jobs
Clinton was only one of many senators who voted for the second Iraq war based on false information that Sadam had weapons of mass destruction that could have been used against the US.
She has shown great environmental concern & believes global warming is real. City news has covered her credentials- rarely have we had a more experienced candidate.
Perhaps she unintentionally made a mistake with some emails, but this pales in comparison to past & present blatant, purposeful actions of other national government figures.
Bernie Sanders has now allied with her- he sees her as the best candidate to follow through on progressive issues. He politically activated a whole generation whose progressive ideology and massive numbers can now never be ignored by political candidates seeking new or additional terms in office in the future- including Hillary Clinton.
The Obamas believe she is the best canditate to carry on the agendas and concerns of the African American community.
Unfortunately, Trump has activated another group whose political ideology is diametrically opposed to progressivism.
Whether we like the 2 choices with any chance of election or not, the choice is clear to those who want this country to move forward. Please don’t sit this one out- It’s the most important election in modern history. Please vote Tuesday.
Steve Mitchell…there are more than 2 choices.
Agree 1000%.
Fgf, I’m not interested in arguing semantics with you. If somebody wants to come to America then they should be able to. Who are you to tell them no? Putting a physical army in their way isn’t the answer.
So more people with more money creating more demand doesn’t raise prices? You just described an inflation creating force. Where does the extra supply come from? How does that benefit everybody? Do I get a raise because Steve at the factory got his job back and it’s not fair he makes as much as me?Underpants–> ? –>Profit, right?
Don’t get it twisted. Republicans support business owners. Not employees. If you’re worried about creating jobs for the average Joe then you should consider voting Democrat. You may have a nice boss, but not a lot of people do. In fact they made a whole TV show around the premise that one of the candidates is a terrible boss, and how comical it is to watch people try to please him. He has a billion reasons in the bank why that trickle down doesn’t work.
“Republicans support business owners. Not employees”
“Things that are bad for business are bad for the people that work for businesses”- Thomas E. Dewey, former NYS governor- thus what’s good for business is also good for people that work for businesses.
Dan
It’s not semantics but I’m glad that you correctly stated your opinion to shut down any border crossings and let anyone enter our country that wants to.
Prior to NAFTA we would use tariffs to equalize the production and labor costs on imported goods. We had higher wages, ( Rochester has lost over 100.000 high paying jobs) and yes some products were more expensive. But inflation rates were low in the 10 years prior to NAFTA, controlled by monetary policy.
The Chris Matthews “endorsement” debunked by snopes.
http://www.snopes.com/chris-matthews-endor…
Dan, you said that “restricting immigration is one of the most un-American things someone can say.”
I’m sure that you believe that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants. But do you realize that those immigrants came here legally (through Ellis Island)? These immigrants went through a health inspection and were reviewed to make sure they would not become a “public charge”. In other words, they needed a job, some cash, etc. They didn’t come here and collect social welfare.
Is it your opinion that the U.S. should provide social welfare benefits to citizens of other countries?
I am a descendant of immigrants who did not enter through Ellis Island. I suspect the Wampanoag people of the 17th century would have an opinion on whether my ancestors were illegal immigrants, and I’m damn sure they didn’t get a health inspection before landing here.
I just love the way the left wing media promotes Hillary Clinton with every chance they get…Here’s the thing folks Hillary & Donald are cut from the same cloth and their only interests are to stay rich and continue to be part of the inner circle of the rich and powerful…If you’re under the delusion that these two people are in it for you and I , my friend you’re sadly mistaken…If nothing else this election should have opened your eyes to the fact that this is a sham, a distraction and a blatant disregard for the American public…The media, t-shirt and hat makers and everyone else who is making money on this election are the only ones to benefit by this election process…Folks were headed for dark days and no matter if it’s Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton we’re all going down a very dark and dismal trail into the abyss of a once a great country led by the corrupt and the self-serving rich…May God help us all
The FBI has finally given it’s clearance on the Clinton emails. So, it is on to the White House for Hillary Clinton.
I am optimistic about have our first woman president. “All beginnings are difficult.” (Jewish saying)
The economy seems to be rising in the last few months. Perhaps, perhaps we will get more and more good news on jobs and growth, as we start a era in our history. Good luck, Hillary!
http://www.SavingSchools.org
Not enough evidence to file charges is not the same thing as being cleared of any wrongdoing.
@Tom Janowski
I am amazed at how many Hillary supporters have nothing to say re the details of her so called “experience”.
Her vote to make war on Iraq not even the beginning, as she was reportedly very involved in Bill’s decision to make war on Yugoslavia.
On to her diplomatic cover for the coup govt in Honduras which has turned that country into a death trap for what we would call “progressives” here. They have no political party and if they advocate too publicly they risk an early death.
Libya, Ukraine, Syria. There is not a single foreign policy success she can boast of unless repression, death, and destruction of other country’s infrastructure is a success. What more do we need to know that the DoD and Pentagon along with Right Wing think tanks all over DC are endorsing Hillary. What sort of Democrat are people voting for?!
If ever there was an election that should have seen widespread shift to third parties this is it. Trump or Clinton, America is going to get the leader the majority deserve.
Main party candidates could strangle kittens or shoot feeble senior citizens live on television and they’d still each get 40%+ of the popular vote in this country… I’m not sure whether this makes me depressed or angry.