When Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama in 2008, it was a setback, to be sure, but considering the times and the differences between the two candidates, not a surprise.
Obama, after all, was a fresh face with an unparalled personal narrative.
With the country mired in war and on the precipice of economic disaster, voters clung to Obama’s mantra of hope and change. And while he has delivered on some signature legislation — health care reform, the Iran peace treaty, and climate change — one can’t help but wonder how much more he could have done had Congress not thrown up roadblocks at every possible twist and turn.
Consider, in 63 separate pieces of legislation, House Republicans have tried to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
There’s no reason to think Hillary would have fared considerably worse, had she been elected. She had every bit the experience as Obama. More than 20 years ago she was promoting universal health care, “Hillarycare,” which was to be a cornerstone of her husband Bill’s presidency. Then, too, conservatives roundly opposed its far reach.
It also would be fair to say that as first lady, Hillary was resented for wanting to take an active role in government affairs. No matter its merits, her health care plan attracted only a cursory glance.
Since her loss to Obama, Hillary has worked to create a résumé that puts her head and shoulders above the competition.
Only it hasn’t.
Instead, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is gaining in popularity.
Among those flocking to Sanders’ socialist movement are young women — much to the dismay of longtime feminists such as Gloria Steinem, 81, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, 78.
So hungry for a female Commander in Chief, the two are beside themselves over this demographics’ disaffection and have resorted to desperate-sounding attacks, including, that young women today don’t appreciate the hard work of their predecessors in breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling and that they’re not giving the race serious thought.
The backlash from women of all ages has been fierce.
Women should be able to vote for Sanders with a clear conscience, they say.
INDEED, that was the sentiment in 2008.