Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen., Hillary Clinton a delivers policy address at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., Friday, April 13, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Posted on 04/13/2007 8:01:11 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday assailed a "culture of cronyism" in government as she vowed to streamline the federal bureaucracy and improve accountability.
In a speech in this early primary state, Clinton called for slashing 500,000 government contractors, potentially saving up to $18 billion a year, and promised to cut back on no-bid government contracts.
"It's not exactly the subject matter that gets people marching in the street, but if we don't restore the confidence and the competence of our government, we will see the steady erosion of our government's capacity," the New York senator said.
The speech also sought to emphasize her knowledge of government and — although she never mentioned him — highlight the differences between her resume and that of Democratic rival Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record), a freshman senator from Illinois.
"It's time again for a president who can earn your respect and trust, one day at a time," Clinton said.
In response, the Obama campaign put out a statement, saying that "throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in the fight for open and honest government," and citing his work for an ethics bill in Illinois and his role in trying to limit the role of lobbyists.
The former first lady acknowledged that voters look at politicians and government with cynicism — "that's sort of the American birthright" — but she said her plan could remedy that.
She called for a ban on former Cabinet officials lobbying their former colleagues, adding protections for whistle-blowers, creating a public service academy and restoring her husband's White House Office of Technology Assessment.
"We know government isn't the answer to all our problems," Clinton said, but then added that the current administration often looks at federal programs with disdain and disrespect. "By denigrating our government, we undermine our capacity to work together to solve these problems."
Her proposals echoed "Reinventing Government," or REGO, a program launched during her husband's administration and run by Vice President Al Gore. REGO was credited with saving taxpayers more than $136 billion over eight years by cutting the federal work force, trimming layers of management and cutting subsidies for items like mohair and wool.
Clinton said some of the proposed changes would be made through executive order and others through legislation. She said she'd move quickly as president to implement the changes.
Clinton echoed pieces of her so-called "invisible speech," which she introduced during a Democratic Party fundraiser in New Hampshire in March. On Friday, she told the Manchester, N.H., crowd that she wouldn't allow students who can't afford college, seniors who can't afford health care and government scientists whose research doesn't support the administration to remain unseen by government.
"Well, you're not invisible to the rest of America and you're certainly not invisible to me," Clinton said. "And when we take back the White House, you'll no longer be invisible to the president of the United States."
Later in the day, Clinton met with voters at the state's oldest public high school, Central High School, and defended abortion rights.
"In the United States, the pro-choice position is the pro-conscience position," she said, answering a question about what she would do to protect women's reproductive rights.
She challenged Americans to rally behind national priorities, much like citizens did around President Kennedy's space program.
"We don't have goals as a nation right now. We need to, because that is when we're at our best," she said.
Clinton said she would take steps to change detainee practices at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"It is such a symbol of all of those unfortunate decisions that were made by the current administration," she said. "Until I'm president, I'm not going to know what's going on."
blah, blah, blah,
i’ve heard it all before.
Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen., Hillary Clinton a delivers policy address at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., Friday, April 13, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole)
semper fido!
Yeah. Except the part about where interns fit in!
Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) delivers a speech about government reform at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire April 13, 2007. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)
Oh, please ….Idiocy knows no bounds.
When Hilarious speaks of “no-bid contracts,” she is presumably speaking of (shudder) Halliburton.
Just for funsies, does anyone know how many no-bids Bubba and Hilarious gave to Halliburton?
Trying to get votes by being something she’s not.
Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at a barbecue in Fort Madison, Iowa in this April 2, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders, File)
Like she'd get a clue AFTER she was President?!?!?!
But, wait, didn’t Al Gore reform government while he was Veep ?
If this women gets elected … we get what we deserve.
Pot and Kettle comes to mind.
We would see the most significant efforts to completely subvert every good aspect of America if she were elected to the Presidency. She will be the worst recruiting hurdle for all services.
I fear that the name of She Who Must Not Be Named will be inscribed on my retirement orders - unless I extend in service until 2018.
She trying to start a class war.
WTH...I heard she said that if elected President she might select Bill Clinton to be her Sec. of State.
... like, say, firing all 93 US attorneys, and the travel office staff, and installing personal friends. Like, say, a husband-and-wife tag-team of presidential power? Oh no, not that kind of cronyism.
No one is better positioned to end cronyism in government then Hillary... they all hate that bitch.
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