Hillary Clinton Reflects on 2016 Campaign: Women Abandoned Me Because I Wasn’t 'Perfect'

[Social Media]

 

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently offered a candid reflection on her 2016 presidential campaign, attributing her loss in part to female voters who abandoned her in the campaign's final days. In an interview with The New Times, Clinton discussed the unique challenges she faced as a female candidate, suggesting that her gender played a significant role in her defeat.

 

"They left me because they just couldn’t take a risk on me, because as a woman, I’m supposed to be perfect," Clinton stated. "They were willing to take a risk on [former President Trump] — who had a long list of, let’s call them flaws, to illustrate his imperfection — because he was a man, and they could envision a man as president and commander in chief."

 

This sentiment was echoed by several of Clinton's allies during the 2016 election, who highlighted the sexist double standards she encountered. Tracy Sefl, a Democratic consultant and Clinton surrogate, remarked at the time, "Is there a double standard? One hundred percent times 100 percent. And God forbid if she coughs."

 

Clinton's reflections come amid ongoing discussions about the barriers female politicians face. The challenges she described were not unique to her campaign. Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, for instance, encountered sexist attacks during her own run before suspending her campaign in March. During a Republican primary debate last year in Miami, fellow candidate Vivek Ramaswamy referred to her as “Dick Cheney in three-inch heels,” highlighting the persistent gender-based criticisms women in politics endure.

 

In addition to discussing her campaign, Clinton also critiqued her own party for its handling of abortion rights. She argued that Democrats failed to fully anticipate and counter the power of anti-abortion advocates, leading to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which ended the federal right to abortion access.

 

"We didn’t take it seriously, and we didn’t understand the threat," Clinton said. "Most Democrats, most Americans, did not realize we are in an existential struggle for the future of this country." She expressed regret, noting, "We could have done more to fight."

 

Clinton’s interview, conducted by The New Times in February and published on Saturday, delves into these issues with a critical eye. Her insights highlight not only the personal challenges she faced as a pioneering female candidate but also broader systemic issues within American politics that continue to affect female leaders today.

 

Clinton's reflections are a poignant reminder of the enduring challenges women face in politics, and her critique of her party’s handling of key issues like abortion rights underscores the need for more proactive and strategic approaches to political advocacy and campaigning.

 

Credit: The Hill 2024-05-27

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

12 minutes ago, Social Media said:

"They left me because they just couldn’t take a risk on me, because as a woman, I’m supposed to be perfect," Clinton stated.

 

IMO she wasn't elected because she was a horrible person, nothing to do with being imperfect. Loads of women have been PMs and presidents in various countries and none of them have been "perfect".

[Hawaiian]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

IMO she wasn't elected because she was a horrible person, nothing to do with being imperfect. Loads of women have been PMs and presidents in various countries and none of them have been "perfect".

She is still a horrible person who won't go away. 

[Elkski]

Why horrible?  But surely more smarter than most men including these 2 posters

[Purdey]

Ahem, 3 million more votes than Trump.

 

Of course, the popular vote doesn't count.

[thaipo7]

If the truth on the Clinton Foundation would be told we would see just how corrupt the Clinton's were and are.  Pure Democrat action.

[Skipalongcassidy]

2 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Ahem, 3 million more votes than Trump.

 

Of course, the popular vote doesn't count.

Thank god or whatever you pray to that the forefathers of the USA established a republic that did not involve going along with "mob" rule... go back and study why the electoral college was formulated.

[thaipo7]

So - This the reason for the Electoral College.  Educate yourself.  A couple counties in NY and Los Angeles is suppose to dictate how the rest of America goes?  Think not.  I guess you believe Biden received 81 million legitimate votes.  This is why Democrats fight tooth and nail against sensible voting laws.  

[thaipo7]

Elkski  You should try to be a little smarter.  You might like it.

[Purdey]

9 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Thank god or whatever you pray to that the forefathers of the USA established a republic that did not involve going along with "mob" rule... go back and study why the electoral college was formulated.

The populations in the North and South were approximately equal, but roughly one-third of those living in the South were held in bondage. Because of its considerable, nonvoting slave population, that region would have less clout under a popular-vote system. 

[Hawaiian]

46 minutes ago, Elkski said:

Why horrible?  But surely more smarter than most men including these 2 posters

There IS a difference between character and intelligence.

[Hawaiian]

55 minutes ago, Elkski said:

Why horrible?  But surely more smarter than most men including these 2 posters

So smart, that she outsmarted herself.

[Tug]

54 minutes ago, Elkski said:

Why horrible?  But surely more smarter than most men including these 2 posters

Oh god the horrors can you imagine if she had won the electoral college…..all that terrible experience being First Lady for 8 years being a for real earned degree lawyer serving as a senator and Secretary of State oh the horrors ,her knowledge and experience with all the world leaders!and our government!not to mention the obvious delight of the lady folk!instead we got saddled with trump that’s a tragedy for us I pray we don’t make the same mistake again and get trump for another term that is if we still obey the will of the people…….after another trump debacle 

[john donson]

she is / was a lying piece of self serving <deleted>... clinton foundation = tax free money grabbing

 

and her time as secretary of state, was to allow friends billionaires to make big bucks, like the so called help in DR

[john donson]

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

So - This the reason for the Electoral College.  Educate yourself.  A couple counties in NY and Los Angeles is suppose to dictate how the rest of America goes?  Think not.  I guess you believe Biden received 81 million legitimate votes.  This is why Democrats fight tooth and nail against sensible voting laws.  

 

don't worry... 35 million illegals entered since biden and apparently, they can vote...

[khunjeff]

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

A couple counties in NY and Los Angeles is suppose to dictate how the rest of America goes?

 

Counties don't vote for anything. People do, and there happen to be a lot of them in the places you mentioned.

[LosLobo]

1 hour ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Thank god or whatever you pray to that the forefathers of the USA established a republic that did not involve going along with "mob" rule... go back and study why the electoral college was formulated.

Nevertheless, it seems that the Electors 2016 choice of Trump was precisely what the forefathers feared the most.

Some history for you:
 

The Electoral College was established as a compromise between those who wanted the U.S. president to be elected by Congress and those who desired a democratic popular vote.

Here are some reasons why the U.S. has an Electoral College:

 

Separation of Powers and Relationship Between Branches: The Founding Fathers were concerned about maintaining a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

Fear of Direct Democracy: There was a fear of “factions” or a “tyranny of the majority” where a group could grow to encompass more than 50 percent of the population and potentially violate the rights of other citizens or harm the nation as a whole.

Representation of Small States and Slavery: The Electoral College was also a result of compromises made to appease small states and slave states. Small states received a boost in power due to the minimum of three electors per state, and slave states could count slaves as 3/5 of a person when allocating electors.

Informed Electors: The Founding Fathers believed that electors would be more informed and capable of analyzing the qualities needed for the position of president.
The Electoral College system means that technically, it is the electors, not the American people, who vote for the president. In modern elections, the first candidate to get 270 of the 538 total electoral votes wins the White House. While the system has been a topic of debate, it remains a fundamental part of the U.S. presidential election process.

Why Was the Electoral College Created? | HISTORY

 

Edited May 27 by LosLobo

[Hawaiian]

58 minutes ago, Tug said:

Oh god the horrors can you imagine if she had won the electoral college…..all that terrible experience being First Lady for 8 years being a for real earned degree lawyer serving as a senator and Secretary of State oh the horrors ,her knowledge and experience with all the world leaders!and our government!not to mention the obvious delight of the lady folk!instead we got saddled with trump that’s a tragedy for us I pray we don’t make the same mistake again and get trump for another term that is if we still obey the will of the people…….after another trump debacle 

She sure learned a lot, like how to comprise classified information by using her private server and then destroying her phone to cover up what she had done.  Rules?  They don't apply to Hillary Clinton.  And this is only for starters.

Edited May 27 by Hawaiian
Correction

[Skipalongcassidy]

2 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Nevertheless, it seems that the Electors 2016 choice of Trump was precisely what the forefathers feared the most.

Some history for you:
 

The Electoral College was established as a compromise between those who wanted the U.S. president to be elected by Congress and those who desired a democratic popular vote.

Here are some reasons why the U.S. has an Electoral College:

 

Separation of Powers and Relationship Between Branches: The Founding Fathers were concerned about maintaining a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

Fear of Direct Democracy: There was a fear of “factions” or a “tyranny of the majority” where a group could grow to encompass more than 50 percent of the population and potentially violate the rights of other citizens or harm the nation as a whole.

Representation of Small States and Slavery: The Electoral College was also a result of compromises made to appease small states and slave states. Small states received a boost in power due to the minimum of three electors per state, and slave states could count slaves as 3/5 of a person when allocating electors.

Informed Electors: The Founding Fathers believed that electors would be more informed and capable of analyzing the qualities needed for the position of president.
The Electoral College system means that technically, it is the electors, not the American people, who vote for the president. In modern elections, the first candidate to get 270 of the 538 total electoral votes wins the White House1. While the system has been a topic of debate, it remains a fundamental part of the U.S. presidential election process.

Why Was the Electoral College Created? | HISTORY

 

Looks like one of the best systems ever created... what's your point???

[LosLobo]

6 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Looks like one of the best systems ever created... what's your point???

I have already explained it for you, but I cannot understand it for you.

[JonnyF]

Clinton playing the gender card because she's too stupid to admit that insulting potential voters as 'deplorable' is not a great vote winner. 

[retarius]

No, the women abandoned you Killery, because you are an entitled, vain, pig-headed, fat, ugly war pig.

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Clinton playing the gender card because she's too stupid to admit that insulting potential voters as 'deplorable' is not a great vote winner. 

 

Nowadays, disrespecting and pissing off half the US population seems to be the Democrat go-to.  Or, at least the DNC Elite.  The party of unity... 

 

JFK is rolling over in his grave.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

I know a couple of normally Democrat voting women who stated they refused to vote for Hillary because she didn’t divorce Bill after his Lewinsky affair.

 

I am sure this was a factor for many women.

 

But I think a bigger factor is the U.S. is not yet ready for a female President, too many voters have their heads stuck in the 1950s.

 

 

 

[impulse]

Just now, retarius said:

No, the women abandoned you Killery, because you are an entitled, vain, pig-headed, fat, ugly war pig.

 

Dang man.  I'm glad you toned it down.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Clinton playing the gender card because she's too stupid to admit that insulting potential voters as 'deplorable' is not a great vote winner. 

The Deplorables were never going to vote for Clinton.

 

Subsequent events have demonstrated her assessment to be correct.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Nowadays, disrespecting and pissing off half the US population seems to be the Democrat go-to.  Or, at least the DNC Elite.  The party of unity... 

 

JFK is rolling over in his grave.

 

You have seen which Party is backing legislation that singles out half the electorate on the basis of their gender?

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

But I think a bigger factor is the U.S. is not yet ready for a female President, too many voters have their heads stuck in the 1950s.

 

 

Feminist nonsense.

 

The problem is the quality of the female politicians. AOC, Hilary, Kamala etc. If they focused on policies and not only bitchy insults and inane cackling/babbling they might get more respect from the electorate. 

[Tug]

11 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

She sure learned a lot, like how to comprise classified information by using her private server and then destroying her phone to cover up what she had done.  Rules?  They don't apply to Hillary Clinton.  And this is only for starters.

Dear lord do you really want to go there in comparison to trump?really?yup she used regular email for personal stuff yup!she screwed up up!in comparison to trump hosting the enemy in the Oval Office on his first day then trotting down to the CIA and insulting them in front of the wall of stars……sucking up to little Kim…….groveling like a wopped puppy dog to putin……helinsky rember that?that’s not even getting into the classified documents strewn all over the toilet at mar a lardo for all to see there is a screw up and then there is over the top in your face f… u and your security in the case of trump …oh and Hillary would have done a credible job as president 

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The Deplorables were never going to vote for Clinton.

 

Subsequent events have demonstrated her assessment to be correct.

 

By deplorables, of course you mean people with a different opinion/stance.

 

The left love diversity of everything except opinion.