Hillary Clinton supporters: Why do you support her?

[WI_DEM]

I'm still up in the air about '08 and haven't made up my mind. I'd be interested in why you support Senator Clinton. What does she bring to the race that the others don't and what does she have to offer?*

(*Please don't post if you want to make this an anti-Clinton post--this is an honest question seeking honest answers)

[obnoxiousdrunk]

1. Her you go

If this helps

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3489852&mesg_id=3489852

[PATRICK]

6. Alarmingly, it doesn't

Could someone get to the best points of past discussions and leave out the negative assaults for a moment. I am not seeing many solid reasons there except to vaunt some questionable things that other candidates are just as capable of doing. If this is only a woman versus man thing or some other big issue I would like to really see it.

As for Hillary fighting the MSM, politically she has been successful- in New York, against loons- by the passive competent approach. Real teflon in essence. That teflon will be stripped as easily as Kerry's medals to make her negatives(even among women) "surprisingly" worse. I have nothing against Hillary's successful strategies in the senate races. In effect, no one tried to take her out like they will in a presidential race. Thank Guiliani's untimely prostrate for that.

Argue for her policies that many in DU have a problem with. You can leave out the war vote and the weak defenses if you want. It is larger than that. Hillary CAN win. So could anyone were things not rigged. How can she win BIGGER than the others? I often think Obama's biggest handicap will be in taking on old Clinton advisers should he defeat her in the primaries. Thus went Kerry in part. She also has not fought the rigging like Edwards and Kucinich and Dean have more clearly stated. Not only does this affect her chances it speaks ominously as to what will actually happen if she is in office on certain radically needed reforms. If I wanted doubtful results I would rather have the honest confronting efforts of Kucinich than murk meeting fascism.

Let's get more positive about her future performance as campaigner and president. More than longing for economic good times like some lost Camelot? The image of our last real president a restoration? Tell me how HER policies and campaigning and job performance are and will be better than her rivals. I am seeing, besides the negatives no one needs repeated, only a very shallow floating above all situations type of entitlement coronation. Clintondom restored, centrism, up with women. Is this what today's situation really cries for and will reward- more than a fresh new approach that is part of the party's main strategy? Some of these same people tried to raise Bradley over Gore, but now are setting aside advantages for a politically costly restoration of the imperfect Clinton era and staff. They were wrong then and wrong now. It is the times.

[MrModerate]

2. I'm happy to have three or four winners campaigning on the Dem side . . .

One of which is Hillary.

Why is she one of my choices? 1) She's an adroit politician who can make the system (warts and all) work. 2) I agree with about 75% of her positions. 3) Virtue doesn't necessarily win elections, campaigns do, and I'm convinced she'd run an effective campaign in the general. 4) Health care is the number one domestic issue for me, and I know she has a dog in that fight. 5) And that dog is Bill Clinton, a huuuuuuuge asset to any administration, especially as an "unofficial" official.

[anniebelle]

3. I too have not decided which candidate is best.

Hillary has a lot of pluses -- class, smarts, measured temperament and a good sense of humor. I don't have a problem supporting her, but I just don't think she's got a snowball's chance in the grander scheme of things. I remember seeing bumper stickers before Bill's first day in office that read "Failed Clinton Administration" -- straight from the horse's ass, Limbaugh, I'm sure. That said, I feel like we're getting 2 for 1 with Hillary. I have thoughts on Edwards also, so I'm still studying my options.

[cutlassmama]

4. because she's a woman. It's time for a woman to be president.

[papau]

5. I also have not decided -but I like her personality, her ethics-her looks-her abilities & politics

She has been as far left as most on this board all her life - pushing minority rights, esp. for women - I like that she was the only one in the room in 1993 that pushed for single payer. I like that she understands the military minds in DC and knows how to work with and around them. I like her solid Midwest religious background that has guided her life.

But Edwards is closest to my politics - and I like Richardson's energy policy and simple easy answer on health (Medicare from 55 with Group plans with no pre-existing condition underwriting for everyone below that age - but here I need details). And Obama just carries himself well, speaks well, makes you feel good just listening to him.

But Hillary needs to - like Richardson - to give the details of her universal health approach before I will make any decision that involves her.