A Political Party

Hillary Clinton speaks at Club 44 rally.

A political rally for Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) drew more than three thousand supporters last night to Boston Symphony Hall. Performers at the “Club 44” event, so named for Clinton’s bid to become the 44th president of the United States, included the Goo Goo Dolls, Boston band Eye for an Eye, and three Wellesley a cappella groups.

Clinton made a speech that was often light-hearted in tone, quoting Stephen Colbert and making jokes about standing on the Symphony Hall stage despite her well-documented off-key singing. She primarily focused, however, on four pillars of her presidential campaign: restoring America’s prestige on the world-stage, bolstering the economy, reforming the government, and what she termed “reclaiming the future.”

Declaring the “the era of cowboy diplomacy” to be over, Clinton argued for the need to “rebuild relationships for the 21st century.” Throughout the night, Clinton made pointed criticisms of the foreign policy of the Bush administration, calling the government under President George W. Bush “incompetent, insensitive, and indifferent.”

The plan to rebuild the economy includes “tackling energy independence and global warming.” She stated that innovations in these fields could help create millions of new jobs. Her plan to reform health care by placing every willing American under the Congressional insurance plan would, she argued, relieve enormous economic burdens on middle-class families.

Clinton sharply criticized President Bush’s recent veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. “We have more than 9 million children without health insurance. And now we have a president who doesn’t believe these children exist,” she said.

Clinton’s plan for governmental reform involves creating an open scientific climate and encouraging America to become a nation of innovators once more. Clinton also stressed the importance of innovation in education. Her other educational goals include lowering the costs of college, reexamining “No Child Left Behind,” and creating public preschools.

Various speakers throughout the night touched upon Clinton’s achievement of being the first female presidential candidate with a viable chance at the party nomination. However, Clinton repeatedly stressed her credentials over her gender. “I am thrilled at the prospect of becoming the first woman president of the United States. But I am not running because I’m a woman. I’m running because I think I’m the most qualified and competent person to do the job,” she remarked.

All three frontrunners for the Democratic nomination — Clinton, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), and former Senator John Edwards (D-NC) — have been criticized for their lack of experience. Katherine Prescott ’09, who attended Club 44, said that Clinton’s time as First Lady is significant because she understands the workings of the White House better than any other candidate.

“It’s a huge advantage, although her campaign doesn’t really use that because they want to dissociate her from her husband,” said Prescott ’09.
Before the rally, Nina Selvaggio, a Boston resident, criticized Clinton for her voting record in welfare, her vote to authorize the War in Iraq, and her prevarication on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other GLBT issues.
“I’m here because I’m curious, but I probably wouldn’t be here if she weren’t a woman,” said Selvaggio. “She is so scripted — she’s like Al Gore — because she doesn’t answer any question. Nobody knows her.”

Clinton made a remark in her speech affirming the rights of gays in the United States: “Sexual orientation? No, you’re an American.” The senator has been widely criticized, however, for her tendency to evade straightforward answers and her perceived willingness to compromise ideals for politics.

To Matthew Carmona ’10, a member of Harvard Students for Hillary, Clinton’s commitment to getting things done is one of her strengths. “Her stances on issues and the way that she applies them are from a practical perspective… She knows that she has to compromise to get things done and this is a time that requires compromise,” said Carmona.

Cort VanOstran ’11, a student who attended the rally, said that he found Clinton “impressive in person.”

“I’m proud to be able to support the vision she has for America… I think she’s very inspiring. Her message is an optimistic one,” said VanOstran.