To the Editor:
Claims that Hillary Rodham Clinton is not honest and cannot be trusted are baffling. In speeches, debates, interviews, and testimony before legislative committees, she has offered careful, knowledgeable responses. She seems honest and good-humored as she campaigns.
None of the extensive investigations of Hillary have proven wrongdoing. To me, she is more than “likeable”; she is inspiring. Secretary Clinton has said that she will not promise what she knows cannot be delivered. Isn’t that more honest than her opponent’s promises of “free college” and “universal health care”?
No president can enact such programs alone. Negotiation with those elected in gerrymandered Congressional districts will be required just to maintain and improve the Affordable Care Act. Tuition-free public higher education would require unlikely taxpayer-supported funding from the states and cities as well as the federal government. Hillary’s pragmatic honesty has led her to plans for reducing college debt and improving the Affordable Care Act.
One wonders about Sanders’ complete honesty when he repeatedly criticizes Clinton for accepting campaign contributions from “superpacs” and large donors. He has said that he chose to run as a Democrat because he needed publicity and knew that in the general ,election he would need the money the Democratic Party can raise. Apparently, until real reform of campaign finance law happens, purists cannot completely buck the system.
The main job of political parties is to find and support the leaders our government needs. In New York’s closed primary, Democrats can say to the whole country that our former senator offers experienced pragmatic leadership in both domestic and international affairs and should be nominated by the party.
Wanda Warren Berry, Hamilton