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Yesterday Mrs. Clinton told the world what the world already knew.
She is running for president.
HILLARY CLINTON: “Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times, but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top. Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion, so you can do more than just get by, you can get ahead and stay ahead.”
Now it will be interesting to see if Mrs. Clinton embraces the economic policies of President Obama.
After more than six years, income for working Americans is down about $1,700 per capita from when Mr. Obama took office.
Obviously, the president's vision for working Americans has not worked all that well.
So, how will Hillary Clinton be different?
Explaining that is just one of the problems Mrs. Clinton will have.
The other problem is her legacy:
JEB BUSH (R), FORMER GOV. OF FLORIDA: “We must to do better than the Obama-Clinton foreign policy that has damaged relationships with our allies and emboldened our enemies.”
((EDIT))
RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY SENATOR: “I think the thing is about the Clintons is there’s a certain sense that they think they’re above the law.”
((EDIT))
TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS SENATOR: “We’re ready for Hillary. We know exactly what to expect. Hillary Clinton represents the failed policies of the past.”
Now let's take a hard look at Hillary Clinton's record.
She served in the Senate for eight years representing New York State.
In that time she worked with Republicans on a number of issues.
She succeeded in getting more money for vets and did some good things in education.
But on the whole Hillary Clinton was not out front on any game-changing legislation.
She did, however, vote for the Iraq War and defended it.
She also criticized President Bush the younger for being too soft on border security.
Isn't that interesting?
Then Hillary Clinton became secretary of state and here her resume becomes more intense.
The truth is, Mrs. Clinton and President Obama engineered few foreign policy successes.
BILL O'REILLY: “The question is, give me one accomplishment that Hillary Clinton succeeded in in her tenure. And you are giving me carbon footprint, women's rights, some kind of unnamed Asian country that's likes us more.”
MARK HANNAH, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: “Lots of Asian countries.”
NOMIKI KONST, THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: “I mean, we are talking to Myanmar.”
O'REILLY: “Myanmar. That's what she is going to do, Myanmar.”
HANNAH: “You may not think what's happening in Libya is all that great right now.”
O'REILLY: “No, it's not.”
HANNAH: “No, it’s not.”
O’REILLY: “It’s not good.”
You may remember that Hillary Clinton led the movement to remove Qaddafi in Libya and then dodged and weaved about the assassination of American ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi.
The record shows there was poor security in Libya and that Secretary Clinton did little about that.
And then there is the War on Terror, which has become a debacle under President Obama.
And then there is Putin, which has become another debacle.
So I'm not sure progress in Myanmar overrides those things.
However, to be fair Hillary Clinton should be asked questions about foreign policy so the folks can evaluate whether the mess abroad is her fault or the fault of the president.
Remember, the secretary of state takes orders from the chief executive.
But I don't expect very many people are going to be fair to Hillary Clinton on both sides.
Supporters will vote for her no matter what; her record doesn't really matter. Of course that's not a fair vote.
Opposing her are some Americans who despise the Clintons and their liberal view of the world.
So no matter what Mrs. Clinton accomplished it will be derided in those precincts.
In the middle are the voters who will decide the 2016 presidential election, and all of them know who Hillary Clinton is.
That's why a program like “Saturday Night Live” does something like this:
Saturday Night Live
HILLARY ADVISOR: “Since we’re announcing your candidacy via social media, we thought it would be fun if you filmed the video yourself on your own phone. That way it seems more personal and intimate.”
HILLARY: “Personal and intimate yes. I better take off this jacket then.” (She takes off jacket to show another jacket underneath) (LAUGHS)
((EDIT))
HILLARY ADVISOR: “Great, Mrs. Clinton. Now, hold up your phone and you can just look natural.”
HILLARY: (Makes crazy face in the camera) (LAUGHS)
HILLARY ADVISOR: “Maybe you want to soften a little. (Hillary softens) A little more. (Hillary softens again ) Maybe a lot more. . (Hillary softens again ) great. Great, okay, and action.”
HILLARY: (Angry and talking into the camera) “Citizens, you will elect me. I will be your leader.” (LAUGHS)
HILLARY ADVISOR: “Great, let’s stop there. Ma’am I think you may be coming off as a little hard.”
HILLARY: “Oh shoot. What part?”
HILLARY ADVISOR: “Sort of all of it.”
((EDIT))
HILLARY ADVISOR: “OK let’s keep going, and this time focus on all you’ve done for women’s rights.”
HILLARY: “Okay that’s good. (Talking into camera again.) I am running because I want to be a voice for women everywhere.” (Bill Clinton appears behind her)
BILL CLINTON: “Did someone say women everywhere?” (LONG APPLAUSE)
HILLARY: “Oh hello Bill.”
BILL CLINTON: “Hillary would make a great president and I would make an even greater first dude. (LAUGHS) Hillary isn’t it crazy that we can take a video with a phone now? I mean if they could have done that in the ’90s, I’d be in jail.” (LAUGHS)
That satire on “SNL” was brilliant.
Kate McKinnon is one of the best comedic performers I've ever seen.
But politics in America is no joke.
This country is in trouble economically and overseas.
While the left will never admit that, it's true and whoever the next president is is going to inherit one big mess.
The jihadists are threatening millions of people, Iran is close to having a nuclear weapon, working Americans are still struggling to make money in the marketplace, and our traditional American values are under siege nearly everywhere.
If you are a Christian or a white man in the USA, it is open season on you.
Therefore Hillary Clinton has an advantage.
She can run a general campaign -- the first woman in the White House and I'm going to help you by increasing the entitlement society themes.
It will take a very articulate and tough-minded Republican to defeat her.
One final thing. We at The Factor will be fair to Hillary Clinton but we are going to be tough on her, as we are on all political candidates.
I don't think gender matters one bit and if this war on women business is resurrected, we will have something to say about it.
Also Mrs. Clinton would be well advised to distance herself from Media Matters and the other guttersnipe organizations who use despicable, dishonest tactics to attack those with whom they disagree.
If you embrace the smear merchants, Mrs. Clinton, again, we will have something to say about it.
And that's the memo.
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