CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Oct. 10, 2007
Clinton Says She Can Unite America
Washington Post Interview: Front-Runner Says She'll Build "Centrist Coalition," Cites Lessons of Partisanship
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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., waves to supporters before her speech on the economy Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP)
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Play CBS Video Video Campaign Quick Check Politico.com's Roger Simon talks with Bob Schieffer about the lack of a unifying Republican presidential candidate and the success of Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign.
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Video Clinton Leads In Iowa Hillary Clinton is leading in Iowa polls, but it is still a tight race and her rivals are sharpening the attacks. Joie Chen reports.
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Photo Essay Hillary Rodham Clinton The Democratic Senator from New York and former first lady sets her sights on the White House.
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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pushed back against criticism from fellow Democrats that she is too polarizing to unite the country as president, arguing that the political battles she has been through make her uniquely equipped to bring the nation together and build a centrist governing coalition.
In an interview aboard her campaign bus, Clinton (N.Y.) acknowledged that she has contributed to the divisive politics of the past decade but said she has learned from those experiences. She said that if she becomes president, she will attempt to assemble a broad, centrist coalition on such key issues as health care, energy independence and national security.
The former first lady called President Bush's political and governing strategy of concentrating primarily on his party's base for support "a tragedy" for the country's politics.
"I actually think that in a way, the fact that I've been through so much incoming fire all these years is an advantage," she said, adding: "It's been my observation that when you're attacked continually in American politics, you either give up or get disoriented or you either lose or leave -- or you persevere and show your resilience."
Clinton offered insights into the governing priorities she would bring to the White House, speaking cautiously about extricating the nation from Iraq and urgently about health-care reform. She also said she will take no position on how to fix Social Security and made it clear she does not regard it as a front-burner issue.
"I do not believe it is in a crisis," she said of the retirement program. On Iraq, Clinton continued to avoid being pinned down on how quickly she would withdraw U.S. troops, saying she would begin moving the military out if elected but refusing to give what she described as "the satisfying answer" -- a date when those forces would be gone entirely.
Clinton was similarly vague about how she would handle special interrogation methods used by the CIA. She said that while she does not condone torture, so much has been kept secret that she would not know unlesselected what other extreme measures interrogators are using, and therefore could not say whether she would change or continue existing policies.
"It is not clear yet exactly what this administration is or isn't doing. We're getting all kinds of mixed messages," Clinton said. "I don't think we'll know the truth until we have a new president. I think [until] you can get in there and actually bore into what's been going on, you're not going to know."
The interview, held as her bus sat parked outside an event site in Cedar Rapids on Monday, came in the middle of an important campaign swing for Clinton. She is in a tight battle for Iowa with both Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and former senator John Edwards (N.C.).
On a tour dubbed the "Middle Class Express," Clinton rolled out her economic overview, and Tuesday in Webster City she unveiled a proposal that would provide tax cuts of up to $1,000 to help Americans start a 401(k) retirement plan. She is to travel to New Hampshire on Wednesday and plans to propose a new education funding formula there on Thursday.
Her economic proposals included what she said would be a renewed commitment to fiscal discipline, higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans and programs aimed at easing economic uncertainties among middle-class families. They include housing assistance, making college more affordable and the universal health-care plan she outlined last month.
Clinton spoke at some length about her rivals' criticism that she carries too much political baggage from the conflicts of her husband's administration to be an effective and unifying president.
"I really think my experience uniquely equips me to be president at this time, both having gone through it, having been on the receiving end of it and -- in campaigns that were hard-fought -- maybe on the giving end of it . . .," she said.
"The overall assessment, given all of the mistakes that I made and all of the lessons that I've learned, is that we've got to put an end to it, but you can't just hope it goes away," she said. "You can't just wake up and say, 'Let's all just hold hands and be together.' You've got to demonstrate that you're not going to be cowed or intimidated or deterred by it, and then you can reach out and bring people who are of good faith together."
She said she has begun to attract support from contributors and voters who may have been skeptical of her in the past. Criticizing Bush, she said he has pursued a "50-plus-one" strategy "instead of saying, 'You know what -- there may be some people we will lose if we reach out' " to create a broader coalition.
"That's what I intend to do," she said. "I intend to win in November 2008, and then I intend to build a centrist coalition in this country that is like what I remember when I was growing up."
While acknowledging that she may have contributed to polarization, she did not specify how or when. Pressed to explain, she said: "I've talked about it a lot, and I think I will continue to talk about it in a lot of different ways."
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On Social Security, Clinton declined to say whether she would support reduced benefits or increased taxes to ensure the system's long-term solvency.It's been my observation that when you're attacked continually in American politics, you either give up or get disoriented or you either lose or leave -- or you persevere and show your resilience.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton"Let me tell you where I stand on Social Security, and maybe that will explain where I stand on all the particulars," she said. "First of all, I reject the conventional wisdom and the Republican talking points that Social Security is in a crisis. I do not agree with that."
She said she would follow President Ronald Reagan's example by appointing a bipartisan commission to study the issue and avoid making her own recommendations until it reports back.
"I'm not advocating any of it as a presidential candidate or as a president," she said. "But I am strongly advocating a bipartisan process, similar to what we had in '83, and when that gets set up, as I hope it will be when I'm president, then I'm going to see what the bipartisan members are going to come up with."
Clinton's position on Iraq continues to draw criticism from some rivals, who say she is prepared to keep troops in combat there longer than they would. She said she has been clear that calling for a withdrawal plan if she is sworn in as president would be a priority, but acknowledged that she is not ready to offer hard deadlines.
"It's one of these questions that I know what the satisfying answer would be -- saying, 'Oh, my gosh, they'll be out tomorrow,' or 'They'll be out in three months' or 'They'll be out in a year' -- whatever," she said.
She added: "I'm saying that, once you're president and the weight of this responsibility is on your shoulders, I want to be as committed to getting out as quickly as I can, but as clear that I have to look at all of these problems we're going to face."
"I've known him for 30-plus years, and he is one of many people who offers ideas, but he has no official role in the campaign," she said.
© 2007 The Washington Post Company
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Add a Comment See all 369 Comments
- Yes, she will unite us alright, unite us in hateing her.
- Reply to this comment
- The article that was on this website yesterday citing Congress as moving forward with a declaration that Turkey committed genocide against Armenians a 100 years ago has been removed within a blink of an eye.
THIS IS THE MOST IRRESPONSIBLE DECISION THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS HAS MADE TO DATE. YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT GETTING AMERICAN SOLDIERS KILLED? JEOPARDIZING A FRAGILE RELATIONSHIP WITH TURKEY, WHO LETS US USE BASES TO RESUPPLY OUR TROOPS, BY INTRODUCING A MEASURE THAT CONDEMNS TURKEY FOR SOMETHING THEY DID 100 YEARS AGO- NOT DURING WWII, BUT WWI- IS THIS NECESSARY AT THIS TIME? ARE THEY F$CKIING SERIOUS!? THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND DANGEROUS!
LIBERALS WHO PUT THESE IDIOTS IN OFFICE ARE OBVIOUSLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT''S GOING ON IN THE WORLD.
DEMOCRATS ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF POORLY EQUIPPING THE TROOPS?? WAIT UNTIL TURKEY TURNS THEIR BACK ON US BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID ACT BY CONGRESS CONDEMNING TURKEY FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED 100 YEARS AGO.
WE''LL SEE HOW MANY OF OUR TROOPS DIE BECAUSE OF THIS. WE''LL SEE HOW MUCH BLOOD THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ON THEIR HANDS!!! - Reply to this comment
- Let''s see what we''re talking about in 4 years...
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- I guess she learned from George W. that if you lie to people enough, they will eventually believe it.
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- STOP the Hildabeast. Hitlary is a phony. Billary is a socialist organization trying to ruin America. ABC- anyone but Clinton, But not dumbo ears
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- How to Unite America on Global Warming??
That''''s an easy policy for CACKLING CLINTON. Not allow any Babies to be BORN of any Race in this Country or others.
Save the Planet - Use Aborted Babies for Live Stem Cell Research. This coming from the World''''s Most Intelligent Woman. With the rest of her CRONIES in Congress, She can then pull this off on us. CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE!
At the same time, Clinton said she has given up another idea for a savings incentive %u2014 giving every baby born in the United States a $5,000 account to one day pay for college or a first home.
She made that suggestion last month before the Congressional Black Caucus, saying it was just an idea and not a policy proposal. The idea was criticized by Republicans, and she told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Tuesday that it''''s off the table. - Reply to this comment
- SHE CAN UNITE AMERICA ALL RIGHT...WITH MEXICO!!!
Judge Charles Breyer, APPOINTED BY BILL CLINTON, is advocating and condoning identification theft- yours, mine and every citizen in this country. Realize that the Clinton''s decision to appoint this j@ckAss could lead to the identification theft of potentially 8 million Americans. EIGHT MILLION!!!
If it''s not such a big deal to the ignorant liberals, Why are liberals constantly calling for Bush''s head? After all, he''s only human just like you and me and this ACLU appointed piece of sh$t judge. - Reply to this comment
- Hillary should unite Bill''s balls with her mouth. Then maybe he won''t be going after other women so much.
Or maybe not. - Reply to this comment
- She won''t do one thing different than Bushit does now. They all get they marching orders from the "society" and if you don''t know who I am referring to then ask the next guy who gives you one of those weird handshakes. It will be interesting to see if she is able to get their approval anyway to be president. See you all at the Grove!
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- Yeah, and the moon is made of green cheese.
It is already evident that Hillary will divide the Nation further. She is not one who the Republicans will have much to do with should she be elected. - Reply to this comment
- "Whether the voting system is perceived as broken or not will depend on who lost. If side "A" wins, side "B" claims the system is broken or corrupt while the side that wins maintains a "the will of the people prevailed" view. If side "B" wins the they switch places. The loser will always make the claim the something wrong or criminal must have happened because they lost. When was the last time you heard of a gracious loser in politics." posted by Questionnews
You need to get rid of the voting machines. You wouldn''t have all the problems if you get rid of them and use paper ballots.
Where I live, no one touches our ballots after we mark them. We place them into a sealed box where they are then taken and counted. There are safeguards in place to make sure that they can not be tampered with. - Reply to this comment
- Hillary says a lot of things but what has she done? Why is it you on the left believe everything out of her mouth? I can''''t find one thing on her that makes her qualified to run this country. Why are the left so passionate about her? Please, someone expalain?!
Posted by katg21 at 05:22 PM : Oct 10, 2007
I think endorsing and loving Hilary is sort of like the right loving and supporting Bush. It defies logic. For those who watch the antics dispassionately and see through the lies--both sides look like they have been drinking "special koolaide" to gain their own brand of enlightenment or they all have been captured and re-emerged as party pod people.
The appeal and belief in Hilary? Same as the appeal and belief in Bush--only by the ones who drank the koolaide and are the "TRUE BELIEVERS". Others have not yet reached that level or resonance of belief yet. LOL - Reply to this comment
- CACKLING CLINTON starting to unite already with OLD CRONIES. But what has this got to do with bringing this Country Together. I really don''t believe America needs to go though this again.
Berger was Clinton''s national security adviser from 1997 until 2001. In 2003, while preparing for the 9/11 commission hearings, he took copies of secret documents from the National Archives and later destroyed them. He was caught a few days after absconding with papers from the archive''s College Park, Md., facility, and lied to investigators.
The New York Democrat''s campaign downplayed the fact, saying Monday that Berger is an informal, unpaid adviser to the campaign, something ascribed to many people associated with the campaign. Berger has been a longtime friend of both Clintons. - Reply to this comment
- To All Nazis.
Ala Smirkie...
The Surge is working, whether you, the Shrew, her fellow non-serving cowards Pelosi, Reid, Boy Obama, KKK Byrd, MoveOn''s junior Kapo Pariser, and even the clueless General Lester Clark like it or not.
If you don''t, then enlist. I''m sure we can find something for you to do at Camp Victory - unless of course like most Neo-Fascists who always bring the word "cons" - you are planning to betray the troops and join Al Qaeda.
Go and vote for your shrew. She couldn''t control a pervert husband nor have the sheer courage to get a divorce (after all, power is much more important to her than country), but she thinks she could stand up to Ahmedinejedad.
Yep, with a basket full of her uneatable cookies. - Reply to this comment
- Yes, she can. Shrill shrew can unite America.
Yes, indeedee. Monika Lewinsky as Secretary of the Interior - she knows interiors. Paula Corbin Jones as Attorney General. She knows the Law, at any rate much more so than Sandy Burglar. And Gennifer Flowers as Secretary of State. After Missy PiggyNoTBright, a little glamour if even the same lack of brains is due. And since lil'' hussy Hil thinks Petraeus betrayed us (she sure craves those MoveOn.Org Nazi Party paychecks), she''ll pick that well-known Bomber of Belgrade (Heaven Forbid Al Qaeda) and Ethnic Cleanser of the Serbs, one Lester Kahane Clark, the only Vietnam Veteran who cozies up to Draft Dodgers and Perverts, as her Secretary of Defense or Vice President - oops, probably NOT the latter as Pervert Boy will need a job.
Yes, the junior Cuckoled Shrill Shrew of New York via Arkansas will unite the country - AGAINST HER. - Reply to this comment
- I can''t believe Hillary would subject her fellow Americans to the notion of her wanting to be President. Forget Democrat or Republican.
Al Qaeda wasn''t formed the day Bush took office, nor in his first 8 months in office. The 9 11 hijackers were taking flying lessons when Bill Clinton was in office. He ignored terrorism for 8 years.
HILLARY CLINTON SHOULD BE APOLOGIZING TO AMERICA, NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. - Reply to this comment
- I believe you ,but the way the crooked system is what can we do.
Posted by starleo146 at 05:48 PM : Oct 10, 2007
VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A HISTORY
OF VOTING
ALONG THE GUIDELINES OF THE CONSTITUTION
AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO SUPPORT THAT CANDIDATE
DON''T LET THE LEFT / RIGHT STEAL
THE ELECTION...
LIKE RON PAUL
A STRICT CONSTITUTIONAL CANDIDATE
DEFIANTLY NOT THE SAME OLD LEFT, RIGHT CANDIDATE
I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THIS MAY
BE THE LAST ELECTION THIS REPUBLIC WILL SEE
IT HAS GOTTEN TO WHERE THE POLITICIANS
NO LONGER CARE WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT
NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR (LEFT / RIGHT)
THE SAME CORRUPTION CARRIES ON FOR FOUR MORE YEARS
What I can''t believe
is the most of the MAIN STREAM PRESS
Want us to believe that the TWO CANDIDATES have already been picked
CLINTON / OSOMA Binladen
and
Giuliani / THOMPSON
??? SOCIALISM
and/or
SELL OF THE GOVERNMENT ROADS??? - Reply to this comment
- OK Hilary
My side wants no new gun restrictions - to stay in Iraq until we win - no new taxes - no welfare
Ok that is just the begining -- how are you going to unite this position with your liberals ???
Never happen GI - Reply to this comment
- Posted by MityWhity at 03:57 PM : Oct 10, 2007
So by your post I guess we should be blaming Laura Bush for George W. Bush. I got news for you she hasn''t or ever been President. YET, I am beginning to think by the slanderous remarks she is your biggest fear. - Reply to this comment
- One Amurken said Hillary is pandering to the ignorant people.
Isn''''t that funny! If she just billed herself as a rancher and promised every ignorant neocon a check for $300 maybe then she''''d be pandering to the ignorant. After all, it worked for Cheney and Rove!
Posted by marcodele at 04:41 PM : Oct 10, 20
YOU MIGHT HAVE SLIPPED AND SPELLED AMERICAN WRONG, BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU IGNORANT. I think she avoided your question, perhaps you should ask it once more it is hard sometimes for people to understand.I do not care how many words are misspelled,it is the message you are trying to send.THANKS FOR YOUR MESSAGE - Reply to this comment
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