In some respects the political context of the statement mutes its power and importance. Cynics see it as a premeditated softening of her image in an effort to attract new voters, especially women. Others see a hidden agenda, a strong statement of independence by a candidate with a massive network of supporters all of whom want something from her, and a high profile husband who often upstages her.Frankly, I don't know what to make of it myself. One could question why it took so long to find her own voice when she has spent over 30 years in politics and now seeks the highest office in the land. We may discover more as time goes on. We can be sure it wasn't a slip of the tongue. Hillary Clinton, whatever one may think of her, doesn't make such statements without calculation. Some think that demonstrates seriousness and clarity; others think it depicts a robotic, programmed woman with no soul.
But in truth I don't really care what was behind the statement. I'm sure most of us have found ourselves in situations where life's circumstances leave us feeling inauthentic, abandoned, and experiencing what some call anomie--an uncertain sense of self. In their extreme such conditions lead to depression and a feeling that life has no meaning. For many it is experienced as a loss of voice.
Agents of social change sometimes say they are functioning as a voice for those who have no voice. Others speak of an inner voice, sometimes defined as conscience, discernment, or calling. Those of us with five decades or so of living will remember the famous trademark that depicted the dog Nipper looking into a gramaphone and hearing the voice of his deceased master. The trademark then took on the caption "His Master's Voice" and became the identifiable image of RCA for many years. Voice transcended death and its sting.
Finding one's voice isn't easy. It requires self awareness and transparency. It can be kind of scary, but it can also be exhilarating. I think I've found mine on occasion, but too often it eludes me and begins to sound like laryngitis.
Hillary Clinton's statement was inspiring to me. I hope she is successful in finding and using that voice.
And maybe I'll clear my throat and give it a whirl myself.
It was certainly a powerful statement and one that captured me immediately. I think it is one of the most important statements that can be made by any politician. You find your voice in the people then you become the voice of the people. I am still in awe over such a prolific statement. I don't care if it was a pre-meditated statement or genuinely from the heart. Either way, it will be one that all politicians, now and in the the future, need to aspire to fulfill.
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate your insights and your special ability to put into words what I am often thinking but could never express it so well.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back Grant.
I've been wondering lately why so many people, women especially, say they don't like Hillary but they can't tell you why. When you press them, they say things like "I just don't trust her." "She's a professional politician." Hello....those are the kind that win. Could it be that many women wished she had found her voice to tell her cheating husband to not let the door hit him in the arse on the way out?
ReplyDeleteTo be blunt - I think that this - like most everything else these politicians do right now - is calculated and manipulative. This is simply an example of good marketing - coming up with a "catch phrase" that can be used on the campaign trail. I'm tired of the lines and the talk, and the marketing, I'd like to see someone actually DO something for once.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, when are we gonna fix Health Care? It is costing me over $2,000 dollars just to have a baby and that's hospital bills only WITH health insurance.
I'm tired of the talk and I feel like Hillary is one of THE WORST talkers of them all. She'll say whatever it takes. If she could be guaranteed the election by appearing in front of a crowd and saying, "I LIKE SPAM" she'd do it in a second decked out in full spam gear.
I think that's why I'm leaning more towards Obama at this point. Frankly his lack of experience really works for me because he might just be raw enough to have the guts, or ignorance, to actually get something done, or at least go after it. And I mean really change something - I don't mean cut auto emissions by 1% in the next 20 years or some other silly numbers game that is more ammo for the politicians rather than helping an average person.
Was a big fan of Bill - but Hillary lacks his charm charisma and frankly I just don't have much faith that she can get it done. A female president would be FANTASTIC - I'm just not sure it's her.
-Brian
I have substantial agreement with many of Brian's points. However, I have to say that their baby is well worth the two thousand bucks.
ReplyDelete(spoken in a grandfatherly kind of way}
Several of the posts imply that I may be saying I support Hillary Clinton for president. Not true. I have not made up my mind yet. If anything, I'm leaning to Obama, but I have a few reservations that need to be worked through.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I see something as significant as her statement in New Hampshire I think it's worth discussing, even if I prefer another candidate.
She may very well be the nominee. I can't imagine who could be chosen from the current Republican field who I could vote for over Clinton. Or Obama. Or Edwards. Or....well, you get the idea.
I had a long talk with my father who was visiting for Christmas. He was all prickely because he feels that young people, well maybe ALL people, just don't care about "stuff" like they did when he was young. As soon as he was old enough to experience the policital process, he worked feverishly within the political machine on JFK's campign. The first time he voted, he voted for John Kennedy, so you can understand how the mission for finding one's voice fuels his soul. His point in our discussion was that young people, or perhaps even the American people as a whole, seem to be absent in what is supposed to be the most important and sacred American right....expressing our voice. He said there needs to be a CHANGE...What a buzz word, huh? BRILLIANT!!
ReplyDeleteALL candidates, even my dad, seem to be STUCK on THIS buzz word...perhaps "I LIKE SPAM" would be more refreshing!
Anyway, regardless of your political bend and outlook, I must applaud Huckabee. I KNOW, i KNOW, he is a man on the "DARKSIDE". Nevertheless, he made statement that spoke to me at some point in one of the bazillion debates. He said something to the effect that Obama HAS made a change...That he (Obama) is offering people something positive and hopeful to vote for. In doing so, people, young and old, are beginng to get fired up about the political process. People are getting interested and beginning to really become involved. Even if I don't agree with Huckabee's politics, I thought what he said was an intesting statement.
I find evidence of Huckabee's observation even in my own house as my son turns 18 and is beginning to voice his thoughts and search his heart for his own beliefs. I'm happy to say that some of his views mirror mine, which are the right view of course...But many of his thoughts mirror those of his generation and their concerns. It is a lot of fun to listen to him and his friends as even THEY discuss the policial buffet which is before them. So see, dad, young peole DO pay attention!! But I credit some of this youthful awareness to the fact that the Obama organizaiton has found our phone number, our address, and our email; and are at times, relentless in their desire to talk to our family. But who cares! Obama and his organization have lit a fire under the collective backside in our household.
So, despite the marketing and packaging of the policital voices seemingly shared by our politicians, perhaps change is in the air. Perhaps even through the political lines and the talk, regular citizens will begin to think and chatter more about what matters to us...Maybe, just maybe, American people will prove my dad wrong and find their voice, the courage to express their voice, and the drive to be involved in the "stuff" that will make a difference for one another. Let's hope so!
Goodness, it looks like several of us have found our voice! Great! Let's keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThere have been some very thoughtful posts here about generational perceptions of this political process.
ReplyDeleteSo let me ask this. Is the age of a candidate a criteria for selecting a president? The last two presidents were on the older edge of the "baby boomer" generation when elected. It kind of shocked me to realize that Bill Clinton was roughly MY age when he took office. I remember thinking somewhat soberly that now WE are running this crazy world.
But that was 1992. It is now 2008 and the same generation seems to be vying for office. On the Republican side John McCain is 71, Fred Thompson is 66, Rudy Giuliani is 64, Mitt Romney is 60, and Mike Huckabee is 53.
The Democrats have Hillary Clinton at 60, John Edwards at 55, and Barack Obama as the relative youth of the crowd. He's 47.
Bill Clinton was 46 when he took office; George Bush was 54.
Several of you who have posted on this issue are considerably younger than any of these candidates. Does age matter?
Wouldn't it be awesome if she meant that after listening to the people, she had decided to throw out all of the political rhetoric and become Hilary Clinton, for the people? I like Hilary, I think. I'm not sure I trust her enough to vote her into office. It will be interesting to see where her "finding her own voice" will take her. I'm certainly watching and listening...
ReplyDelete" It is not the years in your life, but the life in your years that
ReplyDeletecounts." Adlai Stevenson
No, i do not believe that age matters. Age doesnt necessarily equate with wisdom, ignorance, vision or lack of vision.
Martin Luther King, Jr was in his 30s (as was Jesus) when he displayed wisdom beyond his years. It's not the age in years that counts, but the wisdom and leadership abilities.
ReplyDeleteHillary has been claiming that she has been serving our country for over 35 years. Just NOW she is finding her voice? Sort of concerning, dont you think? Who's voice has she been listening to all these years?
ReplyDelete