Forget about the current campaign headlines in what
President Barack Obama likes to call “the silly season.”
Instead, picture the candidates in the historic
moments that have made presidents.
First, try picturing Donald Trump – a man who has
insulted everyone who isn’t a white male like him – comforting the families of
the bereaved as Ronald Reagan or Obama have. Try picturing Trump soberly
addressing Congress about a declaration of war as Franklin Roosevelt did, or
speaking to the nation about a military action such as the blockade of Cuba
announced by John F. Kennedy.
Mr. “Art of the Deal” can’t seal that deal.
Now, picture Hillary Clinton doing those things.
It’s not a stretch. She’s been doing them for more
than four decades – as a children’s advocate, First Lady of Arkansas and the
U.S., senator and Secretary of State.
She should do them as the next President of the
United States.
It’s no secret that she wears numerous battle scars
from those four decades in public life – sometimes to her detriment. But given
Trump’s detestable actions and words, this race shouldn’t even be a contest.
The real comparison should come between Clinton and
Obama. She will continue many of his progressive actions on the environment and
other domestic policies. She will, hopefully, improve what has been heavy
handedness on education. And she plans to fix problems with the Affordable Care
Act – having learned from some of those battle scars she suffered in 1993-94.
On foreign policy, she’s more hawkish than Obama –
and perhaps that’s necessary. Many criticize Obama for not living up to his
Nobel Peace Prize, but he’s actually shown himself to be a pacifist – too much
of one at times.
A tougher hand is necessary with ISIS and North
Korea. Hillary Clinton can provide it. Perhaps she can also give a needed kick
in the figurative rear to those who would participate in the Middle East peace
process.
She does not have Bill Clinton’s magnetism or Barack
Obama’s gift with words. But a good president needs to be a hard worker. She
certainly does that in spades.
And she lives up to the moments when presidents have
to prove themselves to the public.
A number of times on the campaign trail, the media –
which hasn’t exactly been her best friend in this election – has referred to
her as “presidential.”
Indeed, she is. Make it official. Vote for Hillary
Clinton for President.
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