Mark’s Corner: Why I support Hillary

Months ago I stated that I would vote for Hillary Clinton for President.  Our New York Primary approaches in April and the contest on the Democratic Party side has tightened since I made my endorsement.  This seems a good time to reaffirm my commitment and explain my evolving thoughts. 

I am voting for Hillary Clinton because she among all of the candidates is the best person to lead our country.

While my opinion may not count for much or sway many I do this because there is nothing more important on the agenda. On going international crises, sluggish economic prospects and the recent death of a Supreme Court Justice remind us that this is the case.

My candidate isn’t running this time just as a political activist and person deeply immersed in the political waters as the wife of a governor/president and as a junior United States Senator from New York.  When those were her credentials, I was pleased to support her because I believed that she was not only the most able but also the most progressive candidate in the field.

Her opponent this time is surely rhetorically to her left but she remains the progressive voice with the most detailed knowledge of each of the issues. This time around she is running with the additional credential of former Secretary of State.  Non-partisan accounts tell us that she understood, accepted, and worked ably in the role of junior United State Senator and excelled in her role as Secretary of State.

There is no one more fit to set a plausible policy agenda, then staff and run the office than she. No one comparable is running in this election cycle.  At best we Democrats can expect to wage a holding action with perhaps a few incremental victories. While we are destined to push through a legislative slog real progress can be made just by getting the courts to honor the precedents that marry the Constitution to modernity. There is nothing on the horizon that Bernie Sanders can achieve as effectively as Hillary Clinton. If there was a transformative moment since the New Deal and the Civil Rights Era, it came in 2007.  We may argue as to whether opportunities were fully exploited in that moment,but that moment has passed.

This is coming from someone who actually has voted for Bernie for President.  In 2011, knowing that President Obama would win New York handily, I wrote in Bernie for President to express my frustration with the status quo.  My discomfort with the status quo is unabated.  I wish, however, that all the focus on Bernie for President would be redirected to effectuating progressive change at the local level.  For me contributing to a successful citywide progressive effort was incredibly rewarding even as I was disappointed that our more local efforts failed.

These grass roots efforts should continue and be expanded. Let us match the energy that Republicans have exhibited year in and year out in effectively organizing to control legislatures and governorships.  Perhaps when progressive Democrats are organized locally and prove an ability to govern effectively, we will have laid the groundwork for a Sanders inspired presidency.   But not now.

There is clearly discontent.  This open sore is oozing from all sides but it is festering and spreading more rapidly and intensely on the right than on the left. If this election turns on resentment, I suspect the Republicans win.  If this election is about solutions and inclusiveness, Democrats will win.  A Sanders’ nomination keeps the focus where the Republicans would have it.

Editors note: In our February issue, we referred to Nydia Velazquez’s upcoming primary opponent as “Supposed” candidate, in the headline. Mark told us that he preferred the word “Invisible,” which in retrospect is a better characterization.

gbrook@pipeline.com