Okay, @DoNotKnowMuch asked me to answer this, so I will take some time and give an answer.
I can’t stand ideologues of any stripe, liberal, conservative, it doesn’t matter. I can’t stand anybody who uses the word “revolution” when it comes to politics. Politics should be wielded not as a sledgehammer, but as a fine tool. I’ve been a centrist all my life. I started out a liberal Republican, in the mold of Eisenhower, who is a hero of mine. When the Republican party left me in the dust in the Reagan Revolution, I supported Anderson. I became a Democrat about that time, but as rancor continued to increase with Gingrich wingnuts and the ridiculous Clinton impeachment, the parties began to separate, and I was left wanting.
I decided about then that I would vote for the person who I thought would be able to stay in the middle to compromise. I also despaired because here in California my vote for President is meaningless because of the Electoral College map. But I still vote.
Anyway, let me tell you what I don’t care about:
1) The emails. I could give a shit.
2) Her vote on Iraq. She thought it was the right move at the time based upon the lies by the Bush Administration. So did most of Congress. She made a mistake and owned up to it. I’m good with it. I’d be even better if she had said something to the effect of “given the same information I would have voted the same way” but that would have been political suicide. (For the record, I was opposed, and my local very liberal congressman made a fantastic anti-war speech that many years later I complemented him personally on, but I digress).
3) The FBI investigation into #1. See the “I could give a shit” part.
4) Her speaking fees. So she made $250,000 a pop. BFD. If people are willing to pay it, more power to her. Personally, her voice grates on me so if people want to listen to that, fine.
5) Benghazi. Obviously a fuck up. But see #2 below
What I like:
1) Her command of policy is nuanced and intelligent. I don’t agree with everything, but it’s extremely well thought out. She is, by far, one of the smartest politicians I’ve ever seen; I think she’s smarter than Bill and that’s saying a lot.
2) Her 11 hour grilling by partisans on Capital Hill on the Banghazi hearings. She was cool, calm, and collected, and she never, ever lost it except for an eyeroll or two. That’s whose finger I want on the nuclear trigger.
3) Her efforts for attempts at effective gun control legislation.
4) And most importantly, her unwavering support for worldwide women’s rights for her entire political life. 20 years after this speech these problems still exist (in fact are worse) and I get so angry I could cry. Watch, or at least read that speech. It was that speech that made me a Hillary Clinton supporter for life. This issue, by far, more than anything else, is the most important to me and I want a President who will be a standard bearer for the protection of women around the world.
Okay? Good enough?
