political satirist Barry Crimmins
Three questions for Senator Clinton Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Senator Clinton: unafraid to provide complicated answers to simple questions
We caught up with Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail in Pork, Iowa, where the front-running Democrat provided candid answers to three direct questions.
barrycrimmins.com: Your public pronouncements about Iraq seem to contradict the votes you have cast in the Senate. How do you reconcile your rhetoric with your actions?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): Well we can thank the current occupant of the White House for that. They have created a simple 'pro-war' policy at a time when a more nuanced approach is needed. I happen to think the situation in Iraq is complex -- one that requires an impenetrable stand on the issue. As I travel this country and talk to the American people, I know that they understand that although their view of this issue is simple, they need a leader they can trust to complicate that view for them. And so they want a president who will take their simple idea that we should get out of Iraq and turn it into the kind of complicated policy that makes it not quite as easy as that. I stand ready to offer the American people that kind of leadership. The American people trust my record and experience and know I'll get that job done.
barrycrimmins.com: You have again called for 'national health insurance,' why not 'national health care' instead?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): One of the last growth areas in the American economy is the health profiting sector. This includes the medical industry; the pharmaceutical industry and most importantly, the insurance industry. Even more important than the health of the American people is the health of these financial cornerstones of our economy. If they are not kept inordinately profitable there will be a trickle domino effect that will send crucial areas of our national fiscal health, particularly the lobbying and campaign finance sectors into serious disrepair. I will not stand idly by and watch us lose any more of our crucial industries.
barrycrimmins.com: Even at a time when we can't pick up the papers without reading about another law enforcement scandal, you say that as president you'll put 100,000 new police officers on the street. Why?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): I have spoken to the American people and one after the next tells me that they feel there are just not enough police officers on our streets. Some people drive to work in the morning and often can see four or five other private motorists before they see even one police car. In this post 9/11 world this augments a climate of fear too often exploited by the current occupant of the White House. If people see police everywhere, they will no longer have to worry about whether or not this country is becoming a police state because the task will have been accomplished, freeing us to move forward on other crucial issues, like getting more prisons built.
barrycrimmins.com: Thank you, Senator Clinton.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK R- Il/MA): Thank you for not mentioning my husband.
barrycrimmins.com: Our pleasure, Senator.
barrycrimmins.com: Your public pronouncements about Iraq seem to contradict the votes you have cast in the Senate. How do you reconcile your rhetoric with your actions?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): Well we can thank the current occupant of the White House for that. They have created a simple 'pro-war' policy at a time when a more nuanced approach is needed. I happen to think the situation in Iraq is complex -- one that requires an impenetrable stand on the issue. As I travel this country and talk to the American people, I know that they understand that although their view of this issue is simple, they need a leader they can trust to complicate that view for them. And so they want a president who will take their simple idea that we should get out of Iraq and turn it into the kind of complicated policy that makes it not quite as easy as that. I stand ready to offer the American people that kind of leadership. The American people trust my record and experience and know I'll get that job done.
barrycrimmins.com: You have again called for 'national health insurance,' why not 'national health care' instead?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): One of the last growth areas in the American economy is the health profiting sector. This includes the medical industry; the pharmaceutical industry and most importantly, the insurance industry. Even more important than the health of the American people is the health of these financial cornerstones of our economy. If they are not kept inordinately profitable there will be a trickle domino effect that will send crucial areas of our national fiscal health, particularly the lobbying and campaign finance sectors into serious disrepair. I will not stand idly by and watch us lose any more of our crucial industries.
barrycrimmins.com: Even at a time when we can't pick up the papers without reading about another law enforcement scandal, you say that as president you'll put 100,000 new police officers on the street. Why?
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK, R- Il/MA): I have spoken to the American people and one after the next tells me that they feel there are just not enough police officers on our streets. Some people drive to work in the morning and often can see four or five other private motorists before they see even one police car. In this post 9/11 world this augments a climate of fear too often exploited by the current occupant of the White House. If people see police everywhere, they will no longer have to worry about whether or not this country is becoming a police state because the task will have been accomplished, freeing us to move forward on other crucial issues, like getting more prisons built.
barrycrimmins.com: Thank you, Senator Clinton.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY/AK R- Il/MA): Thank you for not mentioning my husband.
barrycrimmins.com: Our pleasure, Senator.
