2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumTown hall: Clinton's classroom and Bernie's rearview mirror
Hillary is at her best when fielding questions in Town Halls--she has had them since she stepped in this race.
Town hall: Clinton's classroom and Bernie's rearview mirror
http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=47c9040f6ff957a59bd88396e&id=0f2e8c3bd7&e=4bc8ead8d6
Hillary Clinton is at her best when shes fielding wonky or philosophical questions with room to explain herself. And twice Wednesday night during a town hall in Derry, New Hampshire, moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper, she comfortably embraced the role of professor and turned the town hall into her classroom.
First came a question about assisted suicide from a man who is suffering from terminal colon cancer. This is the first time Ive been asked that question, Clinton said. By the time she had wound her way through the ethical challenges of the issue, Clinton even said she had a country whose policies could serve as a case study in mind: the Netherlands.
Later, Clinton was asked by a rabbi how she stays humble while possessing the ego necessary in presidential politics. Clinton cited Catholic priest Henri Nouwens book The Return of the Prodigal Son. (The message) basically is practice the discipline of gratitude, she said, explaining that limitations necessitate reaching out to more people and that critics should be heard. But at the end, be grateful. Practice the discipline of gratitude, she said. And that has helped me enormously........................
Response to riversedge (Original post)
cali This message was self-deleted by its author.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Hillary has clearly shown what a good listener she is, and the town halls definitely play to her strengths.
Gamecock Lefty
(700 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)"Bernie Sanders doesnt like to talk about himself much. And really, as a candidate vying to lead a forward-looking revolution, he doesnt have to. But when he does, it works...."
riversedge
(70,242 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)It basically said they both did well in different ways in response to personal questions....NOT that Hillary triumphed
riversedge
(70,242 posts)Armstead
(47,803 posts)nyah,nyah...and this exchange sounds like two junior high students (both of us), so time to move on.
riversedge
(70,242 posts)mcar
(42,334 posts)I'm sorry I missed it. Somehow I didn't even know it was happening.
riversedge
(70,242 posts)Actually I saw a few mentions of it--but I thought --they got the wrong day--then I looked into it --as the sun was setting and I was out shoveling a lot yesterday (beautiful outside right now)--and I realized --oops--that is just a few hours from now.
mcar
(42,334 posts)But NH is near so it does make sense. I love seeing HRC in a town hall format.
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)On one hand, yes, it was a great touchy-feely moment for her.
But in the end she took no position, and basically said, this is something that is going to require a lot of thought.
This is not a new issue. This has been a major concern in this country for a long time, not just among philosophers/ethicists/doctors/lawyers, but even in "everyman" conversations, going back at least to Dr. Kevorkian. States are actively legislating it.
http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000132
She gave what looked like it was going to be a great preamble leading to actually saying what her actual personal thoughts about it were, as complicated as it is. But ultimately, all she said was, it's hard, we're going to have to consider it carefully. Well, duh.
In the end, it was an impressively elegant avoidance of answering a question.
Armstead
(47,803 posts)Sounds very eloquent....But ultimately leaving one wondering "But what did she actually SAY?"
That approach typifies why nothing gets done these days ...It's a handy way of kicking all the cans down the road
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)for it. People feel differently about that topic, as they do about many topics. I'm sure that Hillary Clinton, like most people, is conflicted on that issue. I know that I am.
It's simply not one that can be answered yes or not, categorically. Her answer was appropriate for someone running for office.
Arazi
(6,829 posts)riversedge
(70,242 posts)thoughtful and reflective. And I trust she will study the issue.
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)see:
http://assisted-dying.org/blog/2008/04/07/presidential-candidate-hilary-clinton-supportive-of-oregon-assisted-suicide-law/
Despite the headline that says she supported the law, her actual answer (quoted in the text) was more wishy-washy.
A: I dont know the answer to that.
Though she did also say that, "with appropriate safeguards and informed decision-making, I think its an appropriate right to have." So there was at least some semblance of support there, which I suppose is what the headline is based on.
She did put her toe in the water in that answer. But if she hasn't studied the issue further since 2008, I don't know why you would trust that she will study the issue further this time. She actually gave less clue about her position now then she did in 2008. Maybe she's in the middle of evolving.
Arazi
(6,829 posts)It's an easy answer - its a private medical decision between the patient, doctor and family
Period.
Nobody else gets to be in the middle of that.