Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed exasperation over voters grappling with a decision between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, questioning the difficulty of the choice given Trump's alleged unsuitability for office.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed exasperation on Thursday over the apparent indecision among voters regarding a choice between President Biden and former President Trump, calling the contrast between the two candidates stark and questioning why the decision could be challenging.
"We have two old candidates," Clinton said in an interview with MSNBC. "One is, yes, old and effective, has passed legislation that I think is going to put America on such a strong footing for the future, is compassionate, cares about people, tries hard to make the right decision."
In contrast, Clinton characterized Trump as "old and dangerous," expressing bewilderment over why voters might find the choice between the two candidates difficult. "I mean, why is that a hard choice for people?" she asked.
Clinton's comments come amid concerns among Democrats about Biden's age and the potential for voter apathy or support for third-party candidates. Recent polls have shown a close race between Biden and Trump, with a significant number of voters indicating a preference for third parties like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Clinton warned that sitting out the election or voting for third-party candidates would effectively amount to throwing away votes. "Every one of us has an obligation as a citizen to try to figure out, waking up the morning after the election," she said. "Do I want to throw my vote away? Do I want to not vote and let somebody who doesn’t agree with me or care about me essentially fill that vacuum that I left?"
Clinton emphasized the potential consequences of a Trump presidency, suggesting that he would eliminate essential social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. "The future of our country is at stake," she said.
She further argued that women with concerns about reproductive freedom had only one clear choice in the election: Biden. "Any woman who has any sense of self-respect, autonomy, agency, independence, and values freedom needs to understand there’s only one choice in this election, and that’s Joe Biden," she said.
Clinton acknowledged that age is a legitimate issue in the election but argued that voters should embrace Biden's experience. "One is old and effective, and compassionate, has a heart, and really cares about people. And one is old and has been charged with 91 felonies," she said.
Clinton's comments reflect the ongoing debate among Democrats about the best strategy for countering the potential threats posed by Trump's candidacy. Some strategists believe that emphasizing Trump's unsuitability for office is the most effective approach, while others argue that a more positive message centered on Biden's experience and accomplishments is necessary to motivate voters and ensure victory in 2024.
