Hillary Clinton: Future Face of the Nation?

By Jane Pomeroy

Born to a middle class family in Illinois, considered the most influential and politically active first lady in American history, a renowned senator and now presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton appears to have laid a very clear path for herself toward becoming America’s first female president. However, with competition from fellow Democratic candidates who champion similar ground-breaking accomplishments (i.e. Barack Obama, the first black male presidential candidate), will her determination persist to see her to the White House?

Advocating innovative policymaking, including what she calls “progressive” tax-cuts for lower- and middle-income households, Clinton aims to boost the economy from below unlike Ronald Reagan’s infamous “top-down” tax philosophy in which the upper-classes were awarded tax breaks. As well, she ambitiously hopes to begin to redeploy US troops from Iraq quickly and efficiently (in 90 days), bringing our brave young men and women home. And unlike Obama’s medical plan which makes paid coverage voluntary, Clinton’s universal health plan aims to bring basic medical care to every member of society.

Ever a voice for the people, Clinton historically fought for middle class families, working to maintain government-sponsored social security, boost health care and create jobs, all the while paying particular attention to minority struggles within our society. Thus, it seems odd she would make a careless statement alluding to the idea that Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have been successful without the aid of white male President Linden Baines Johnson.

At no time did she suggest King’s actions were in vain simply because he was African American. To the contrary, it seems more she was attempting to provide an example of collaboration between two racial groups achieving universal civil rights. However, Obama’s campaign has focused its attention on the possibility that her words could be construed as racially insensitive, even racist, encouraging bickering and mudslinging within the Democratic Party.

Though this appears to be yet another blip following a string of attacks against Clinton—including assertions that she seems too cold, then too soft; too masculine, if you will, then too womanly—she has not lost faith. When asked in an interview what she would do if she were to lose the raise, she simply stated, “I’m going to win.”