About Clinton's "35 Years Of Experience"

On the campaign trail, Hillary Clinton always talks about her "35 years of experience." Indeed, it's the prime rationale for her candidacy.

After uncritically echoing that line for a year, the media has begun to do the math. "The overall portrait is of a lifelong, selfless do-gooder," McClathy reports today. "The whole story is more complicated---and less flattering."

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1973, Clinton spent a year at the Children's Defense Fund, her only full-time non-profit job. She worked as a law professor and on the Senate Judiciary Committee investigating Watergate.

Yet Clinton, as McClatchy notes, spent the bulk of her career in Arkansas--15 out of 35--at one of the state's preeminent corporate law firms, representing clients like Tyson Foods. During that time she did a number of good works. But from 1986-1992 she also sat on the board of Wal-Mart, pushing gingerly for women's rights while staying quiet as the company aggressively opposed labor unions.

As First Lady, Clinton's major policy undertaking--healthcare reform--was a dramatic failure. Since that time, Clinton's played it safe, diligently working to rehabilitate her image by focusing on small-bore issues.

In the Senate she reached out to conservative Republicans whenever possible, whether it be Sam Brownback on violence in video games or Robert Bennett on legislation criminalizing flag-burning. She defanged past enemies but raked up "few significant legislative accomplishments," the New York Times reported.

As if often the case in politics, reality is cloudier than spin. Barack Obama started as a community organizer in 1985, at the age of 23. He's 46 now. That gives him 23 years of so-called "experience," working as an organizer, president of Harvard Law Review, civil rights attorney, constitutional law professor, state senator and US Senator.

Both of these candidates have accomplished a tremendous amount in their lives and overcome a remarkable amount of adversity. The "experience" argument is a wash. Can we talk about something else now?

Comments (31)

1. The "experience" argument is a wash. Can we talk about something else now?

   Yeah, in Hillary's so-called 35 years experience, which included 15 years at The Rose law firm, she not only represented Tyson Foods, but Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Stephens Inc.(investment bank), Worthen Banking Corporation; Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Corp.(oil and gas interests); ALCOA; The Equitable Life Assurance Society; General Electric; John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.; International Paper Co.; Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.; New York Life Insurance Co.; Prudential Insurance Co.; USX Corp; and the Union National Bank of Arkansas.

   SHE WAS A CORPORATE LAWYER, NOT A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE!

   Posted by Metteyya at 02/04/2008 @ 8:31pm

2. "She portrayed video games as part of what she called "this overwhelming culture" which assaults children and teenagers with depraved images of violence and sex. She accused violent and pornographic video game makers of "stealing the innocence of our children."

   AND

   Hillary Clinton burnished her image as the nation's leading Democrat who is both tough on national defense abroad and tough on cultural depravity at home.

   Clinton called Wednesday for boosting the Army by 80,000 soldiers over four years

   Seems a little schizoid to me

   the clinton motto:

   "you can make all the people believe you are pleasing them all of the time".

   Posted by frosty zoom at 02/04/2008 @ 9:17pm

3. Easy FG prediction....he can't defend it. He obfuscate (discuss "how many countries she's visited") and claim things like "Hillary participated in foreign policy decisions" (with no NSA meeting transcripts).

   Posted by Mask at 02/04/2008 @ 9:19pm

4. Obama's history is great, and clearly better than Clinton's. What Obama decided to do with his life before being a Senator is about the only thing that is giving me hope that my vote tomorrow for Obama is not a mistake. I am hoping his centrist candidacy is the result of hiring some very timid advisors and the necessity of playing the corporate money game to compete with Clinton when it comes to races where ad buys matter (like tomorrow).

   I know lots of other people are going ape-shit over Obama, but I have never felt more uneasy about a vote in my life. Other than when I had to vote against Robert Ehrlich which meant voting for Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. This is a tie for me. I had such high hopes a year ago before I knew anything about Obama. I thought, Feingold might run, and if not Edwards is a decent backup, and if all else fails Obama seems clearly better than Clinton. And now I got to get up early so I can vote for this [grist.org]

   Posted by dentedpat at 02/04/2008 @ 9:46pm

5. so I can vote for this [grist.org]

   Posted by DENTEDPAT 02/04/2008 @ 9:46pm

   a glowing resumé....................

   Posted by frosty zoom at 02/04/2008 @ 9:52pm

6. I'm so glad this part of the process is over and done with.

   Posted by ACook at 02/04/2008 @ 11:38pm

7. A few points re this sloppy piece ... Obama was never president of Harvard Law School, the school has no president, the university does. He was president of the Harvard Law Review, equivalent to EiC at that highly prestigious & demanding student publication, the very pinnacle of law school achievement in the US.

   HRC flunked the DC bar exam, a notoriously undemanding test, was not on the Yale Law Journal, was never a law prof, just a parttime instructor, briefly.

   And that's just for starters.

   The experience comparison in this slap-dash piece does not result in a wash, not remotely.

   Posted by sloper at 02/05/2008 @ 12:03am

8. Posted by MARKCANYON 02/05/2008 @ 01:42am

   yeah. imagine if it were a woman nigger.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 02/05/2008 @ 01:44am

9. Posted by MARKCANYON 02/05/2008 @ 01:42am

   that also explains why Alan Keyes did so well against Obama in IL and why Keyes is running neck and neck with McBain, along with Liz Dole.

   Clearly it has nothing to do with big money sponsorship , but everything to do with color and gender.

   Posted by crabwalk at 02/05/2008 @ 07:40am

10. 30 years of experience led Hillary to believe that Chimpy really didn't want to go to war, and that by voting for every off budget funding request for war would lead to an end of the war and a balanced budget.

    yea, that's it.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/05/2008 @ 07:44am

11. FZ, I hadn't heard that about the 80,000 troops. Thanks.I've been thinking, though, that all politicians are considering but not daring to speak the unspeakable until after Nov: Namely if the war is going to continue we are going to have to supplement our already stretched and depleted military: Which means a draft. Perhaps thats where they'll come from.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 02/05/2008 @ 07:47am

12. FZ, I hadn't heard that about the 80,000 troops. Thanks.I've been thinking, though, that all politicians are considering but not daring to speak the unspeakable until after Nov: Namely if the war is going to continue we are going to have to supplement our already stretched and depleted military: Which means a draft. Perhaps thats where they'll come from.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 02/05/2008 @ 07:48am

13. Chimpy/Shrillery/Obama at work with our money, doing oversight,

    Monday, February 4, 2008; Page A01

    The U.S. Park Police have failed to adequately protect such national landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and are plagued by low morale, poor leadership and bad organization, according to a new government report.

    ....

    Monday, February 4, 2008; Page A01

    Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson demanded that the Philadelphia Housing Authority transfer a $2 million public property to a developer at a substantial discount, then retaliated against the housing authority when it refused to do so, a recent court filing alleges.

    Jackson, a longtime friend of President Bush, is under investigation by HUD's inspector general and the Justice Department for other alleged acts of favoritism and interference.

    ....

    Monday, February 4, 2008; Page A01

    Public views of the national economy are now more negative than at any point in nearly 15 years, and few people believe that the kind of stimulus plan being devised by President Bush and Congress is enough to stave off or soften a recession, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

    More than eight in 10 Americans describe the economy as "not so good" or "poor," and nearly six in 10 believe the United States is already in a recession. While voters appear more sanguine about their own circumstances, three in 10 are now pessimistic about their financial prospects over the coming year, double the percentage holding a dour outlook in December 2006.

    A vote for the status quo coming up in November.

    Unless Nader runs.

    Run Ralph run.

    See Ralph run.

    See Ralph expose the corrupt duoploy of the dems and repubs.

    See the donkaphants whine and cry about a third choice.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/05/2008 @ 07:53am

14. Chip, time for you to enlist.

    Along with the rest of those that supported a war on Iraqi wmd's and Iraqi ties with Al Qaida.

    After all, it will be a cakewalk. Over in months, not years, costing 2 billion. The Iraqis are just about ready to assume their own security. Baghdad is as safe as Indiana.

    Git-R-Dun at the recruiting office

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/05/2008 @ 07:56am

15. She really never gets busted for this because she is basically claiming the Clinton administration as her own--which suggests a return to Billary. The experience that she specifically can call her own--healthcare-- was a failure and ironically she claims this as evidence that she is better equipted to address it--especially considering the source of her funding. This would be like Bush "fixing" Iraq. As for the spin that being "vetted" is another plus--it could be suggested that her reputation proceeds her as polarizing, despised and advantageous to uniting the Right in common cause. She really is damaged goods.

    Posted by Lil at 02/05/2008 @ 08:37am

16. FRANK

    Are you still keeping a tally of the Kennedy family members endorsing Hillary?

    Because you can count out Ethel Kennedy and Maria Shriver.

    Posted by drhammer at 02/05/2008 @ 08:54am

17. every few years a group of do-nuthin repugnants looking to waste time, avoid really doing something, appeal to the fascist leaning element of the peasantry...

    throw out this stupid flag burning bullshit...

    i had forgotten she had jumped onto that stupid bandwagon...

    now i remember. i vowed long ago to never vote for any ding dong who wasted taxpayer money and legislative time on that claptrap stupidity...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/05/2008 @ 09:03am

18. Does anyone doubt that race and gender are not the real reason these two are today being considered for a shot at the Presidency?

    As opposed to being the spoiled, frat-boy son of a President whose experience consisted of daddy's friends bailing him out of failure after failure?

    Posted by brunowe at 02/05/2008 @ 09:18am

19. For the record, what ever decision I made on whom to vote for here in NY, it was despite, and not because, of the emotionally disturbed rantings of METTEYA and FRANKGRITS.

    Posted by brunowe at 02/05/2008 @ 09:19am

20. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 02/05/2008 @ 01:44am | ignore this person

    or a jew woman nigger! the littlest nazi would love that!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/05/2008 @ 09:29am

21. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/05/2008 @ 09:03am

    got a match?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/05/2008 @ 09:34am

22. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 02/05/2008 @ 09:34am

    the littlest nazi...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/05/2008 @ 09:37am

23. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/05/2008 @ 09:29am

    a jewboy woman nigger dyke!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/05/2008 @ 09:40am

24. got a match?

    Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 02/05/2008 @ 09:34am | ignore this person

    I use a lighter

    Posted by emile duBois at 02/05/2008 @ 12:59pm

25. As articulate as he may be, MARKCANYON apparently lacks the basic intellect to observe the seemingly obvious fact that it is in spite of gender or ethnicity that Obama and Clinton have risen to the powerful positions they are in.

    I can think of plenty of examples of white men who used race to their advantage.

    Posted by MATTMAN at 02/05/2008 @ 1:08pm

26. Posted by MATTMAN 02/05/2008 @ 1:08pm

    he's a nazi

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/05/2008 @ 1:15pm

27. Hillary was raised a Republican and voted Republican, converted to the Democratic Party, voted Democratic, then became a Clintonite, and now votes for Clintons or Clinton-surrogates. She is not a progressive Democrat - just talk to the progressive Democrats who have worked with the Clintons over the years. The Clintons are practitioners of Crony Capitalism. They are not progressive Democrats, just as the Bush family is not really conservative or Republican, both families are masters of Crony Capitalism.

    Posted by fougasseu at 02/05/2008 @ 1:23pm

28. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 02/05/2008 @ 1:15pm

    SEIG HELP!!

    Posted by MATTMAN at 02/05/2008 @ 1:41pm

29. Guys make sure you check out the article "The Intoxication of Inspiration" on the blogzine SAVAGE POLITICS (not related to Mike Savage) at www.savagepolitics.com. It is awesome......everyone should read it before voting.

    Posted by elsylee at 02/05/2008 @ 1:54pm

30. Even selection to the Review as an editor, happens during the first year of school, and largely on the basis of personal appeal.

    Selection to law review is based on grades, and a certain number of slots were reserved for winners of a legal writing competition at the end of the first year in law school.

    The reason Barack was elected as Editor-and-Chief was because of his editorial talent and his ability to bring conservatives and liberals together who were in heated battles before Barack arrived at the law review.

    Posted by Metteyya at 02/05/2008 @ 5:23pm

31. WOW!!!

    Look at these exit polls:

    Alabama: Obama 60, Clinton 37... Arizona: Obama 51, Clinton 45... Connecticut: Obama 53, Clinton 45... Delaware: Obama 56, Clinton 42... Georgia: Obama 75, Clinton 26... Illinois: Obama 70, Clinton 30... Massachusetts: Obama 50, Clinton 48... Missouri: Obama 50, Clinton 46... New Jersey: Obama 53, Clinton 47...

    Hillary is only winning her home state of New York, AND LOSING EVERYWHERE ELSE!!!

    Change from status quo trumped experience by 54% to 24% and Obama got the change vote 72% to 22% for Hillary!!!

    THE COUNTRY REALLY WANTS CHANGE!!!

    Posted by Metteyya at 02/05/2008 @ 6:55pm