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• Monday, June 18, 2007 08:58 AM

  Softball interview

  We know Hillary has had enough practice and accumulated enough knowledge over the years to ace an interview like this. What wasn't asked were incisive followup questions.

  Example: When Shapiro brought up the issue of two families controlling the White House for 24-28 years, Hillary gave us a standard "judge me on my own merit" answer which is reasonable. At this point, Shapiro should have asked the question why term limits are advisable and why it's good to not concentrate the power in two families - It's not just the people at the very top who can cause stagnation in fresh ideas at the top, but also their close network of advisers and friends. What Shapiro should have asked if what Hillary has done to bring in enough fresh blood to give other Democrats a chance at showing what they can do instead of the usual Clintonites.

  Hillary also gave a reasonable answer to the pullout of troops. But what Shapiro should have asked is why Hillary did not know THEN what she knows now about the iraq war because the NIE was available to her back then and Code Pink and others had access to her and she got to hear directly from them concerns which she acknowledges as KNOWING NOW. This question is relevant because it goes to understanding why a leader makes decisions and if she really learned from her mistakes. Scott Ritter was telling anyone who would listen not to fall for the Bushes.

  Another question: If Hillary wants to prove herself as a leader, why did she not take on a bigger role in 2004 elections since getting rid of Bush was something any self respect Democratic LEADER should have considered their duty.

  This question is relevant because it goes to indicate how a leader can persuade others to go along for a progressive agenda. LBJ was no liberal, but he did a better job than many liberal Presidents would have at the time in getting civil rights legislation passed through. Leadership is important. And a person like Hillary has shown a fear of looking weak. SO by acting strong she is ironically showing a lack of leadership.

  Dean lost a bitter primary and he still tirelessly canvassed the country for Kerry. Hillary has no record of defending progressives who were fighting the lonely fight against the Bush followers regarding the war. She pretty much spearheaded a few issues, but rarely came to help of other progressive Democrats because she was afraid of risking her chances for a 2008 Presidency. She put that above her duty to the country.

  Hillary will be an improvment over Bush on many other positions, but so will other Democratic leaders who don't have her Iraq war baggage.

  —Pravin Read Pravin's other letters
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