Clinton Needs to Grab Votes, Not Grasp for Straws

by Anita S. Lane

What an interesting week it’s been. In the past seven days, Senator Hillary Clinton—the self-proclaimed solutions candidate—has managed to drum up more hoopla over the issues of plagiarism, patriotism, and political debates, than the issues that matter most to voters.

If Senator Clinton really wants us to believe that she is the individual most capable of affecting change, does she really think that she can convince us by perpetuating politics as usual?

The upcoming presidential election is absolutely critical in the minds of most Democrats. As such, I think Democratic voters have little appetite for petty political squabbling. Voters want to focus on achieving a common vision and identifying practical solutions.

But wait! Obama plagiarized his speech by quoting Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick without crediting him. In addition, Obama refused to agree to a debate in Wisconsin. Finally and worst of all, Obama’s wife Michelle said she is proud of her country for the “first time” in her adult life. Shame! Don’t these “flaps” weaken Obama’s character and speak to his credibility as a potential president of the United States?

Well, these “flaps” just might mean something…if they really meant something. The truth is, while Obama did borrow phrases from Patrick’s speech (which borrowed lines from otherfamous speeches), Obama and Patrick are friends, and Patrick had granted Obama permission.
On the issue of patriotism, when Michelle Obama made her remarks about being proud of her country “for the first time” in her adult life, she was clearly referring to how Americans are engaging in the current political process in record numbers—but you’d have to hear the context of the speech to know that.

Lastly, Hillary Clinton challenged Obama to four more debates on top of the 18 they’ve already had. Obama agreed to two out of the four. Is it really fair to say Obama is avoiding debates?
America needs a President (but first a candidate) who focuses on what matters and does not get distracted—nor try to distract voters—with sidebars that really don’t matter. American voters are not that petty. Not now, the stakes are too high.

Senator Clinton should take a common sense approach to matters like these instead of trying to make mountains out of mole hills. Senator Hillary Clinton has lost ten presidential primary contests in a row—and by embarrassingly wide margins. At this point in the game, Clinton needs to be engaged in the serious task of getting votes, not grasping for straws.