Hillary Clinton
Related: About this forumHillary Clinton’s handling of Caitlyn Jenner shows her level-headed political brilliance
Hillary Clintons handling of Caitlyn Jenner shows her level-headed political brilliance
http://www.dailynewsbin.com/opinion/hillary-clintons-handling-of-caitlyn-jenner-shows-her-level-headed-political-brilliance/24148/comment-page-1/#comment-40334
When the week began, longtime conservative Caitlyn Jenner was voicing her support for the republicans, while launching personal attacks at Hillary Clinton. By the time the week ended, Jenner was posting a selfie shed just taken with Clinton. It wasnt a complete reversal of Jenners position, but it was a remarkably quick softening of her views. For all the talk of Hillary Clinton not being a naturally gifted politician in front of the cameras, the incident revealed just how adept she is behind the scenes and how little she cares about getting her feelings hurt.
Hillary quickly seized on what many of us had recognized: Caitlyn Jenner is in a tricky position. She still holds many of the same conservative republican views that she always has. But now that shes become one of the de facto faces of the LGBT movement, shes struggling with the fact that most of her own party leaders hold distinctly anti-LGBT views. Shes also facing backlash from the LGBT community, and from her fellow transgender people, for trying to cling to her longtime conservative beliefs. That means Hillary was in a position to help out Caitlyn while helping herself.
We dont know exactly what happened behind the scenes, but the end result was Caitlyn Jenner posting a picture of herself with her arm around Hillary Clinton, along with the hashtag willing to listen. Presumably, Hillary asked for a meeting between the two. Whatever they discussed, the end result is that Caitlyns public posts about Hillary are suddenly a whole lot softer and less damaging than they were when she was using phrases like political hack when the week began.
In the end, the public and the LGBT community will decide the fate of Caitlyn Jenner, whether or not she gets to be a leader of the community while shes endorsing republicans, and whether or not being seen with Hillary will help her in that regard. But either way its not Hillarys problem. Her problem was that a famous woman was running around saying terrible things about her. Instead of sulking over hurt feelings, or trying to publicly face off with the accusations that Caitlyn was hurling at her, Hillary simply decided to tamp things down with her behind the scenes.
And so now a prominent figure who was working against Hillarys election effort has been turned into someone who, at worst, is taking a more neutral and conciliatory position toward her. No one should be holding their breath for a Caitlyn Jenner endorsement of Hillary Clinton any time soon. But that part doesnt matter, and it wasnt the point anyway. Hillary knew that Caitlyn was in need of a life raft, threw her one, and took an enemy off the board. Its how diplomacy works. And its a small example of why Hillary is so capable of getting things done behind the scenes in general.
Aristus
(66,328 posts)One of the best in American history, She's giving John Quincy Adams a run for his money.
I applaud her.
stonecutter357
(12,697 posts)Lucinda
(31,170 posts)Thank you!
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)shout so she can hear others. It is working well for her. Hope Caitlin comes on board, every endorsement is good.
Her Sister
(6,444 posts)am a fan!
with Her!!
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)DemonGoddess
(4,640 posts)riversedge
(70,204 posts)Rose Siding
(32,623 posts)She's the only candidate who knows it.
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)That is indeed "how diplomacy works." What doesn't work is shouting, finger-waving, and giving a tired stump speech instead of talking to, and especially listening to, people.
LAS14
(13,783 posts)... things about Hillary. When something happens that you think will put her in an impossible position, I wait eagerly for her response. She's brilliant!
I really don't know what the difference is between her and the "naturals," Bill and Barack. I accept that there is a difference, but I can't articulate it to myself. She really gets me excited.
Her Sister
(6,444 posts)This describes me too! Yep, she's brilliant!
HRC has described Bill and Barack "naturalness" as poetry/poetic. In her case (IMO) her speaking is also fascinating b/c you know that you are watching a brilliant mind at work where every word uttered is considered and meaningful!
She considers the big picture but also the details. Exciting to watch.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,233 posts)6chars
(3,967 posts)as you say, a small example behind the scenes, but now that you point it out, it shows a nice touch.
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)Hillary is always listening and trying to bring people together. She's civil, even to those who don't like her.
Her Sister
(6,444 posts)Just nice story