Anything Obama Did, Hillary Can Do Better

Clinton deflects heckler by asserting: ‘Obama did it too’

Manchester, NH — While Senator Bernie Sanders continues to push for a “political revolution,” opponent Hillary Clinton is steering clear of the idea that America needs radical change. Instead, she is making a much more simplistic promise to voters. Her vision for America: an extension of the Barack Obama Administration.

Throughout the campaign trail, Secretary Clinton has made a point of invoking Obama to strengthen her candidacy. By connecting herself to him, Clinton aims to position herself favorably among those who have enjoyed the Obama administration. Citing the issues of healthcare, gun legislation, and job creation, Clinton explained to the crowd how her views, and not Senator Sanders’, were directly in line with those of President Obama.

On the issue of healthcare, Clinton utilized one of her more popular lines, telling the crowd that we can not afford to open up a contentious debate on the matter. “It’s easier to go from 90 to 100 percent, than from 0 to 100 percent,” she added. This comment has been effective in not only reinforcing Clinton’s commitment to Obamacare, but also by directly attacking Sanders’ medicare-for-all plan. Similarly, Clinton told supporters that — just like Obama — she has always stood up against the Gun Lobby; this once again was a not so subtle jab at the Vermont Senator. Finally, Clinton transitioned into her third major similarity with Obama: job creation and taking on Wall Street. It was here, however, that the Secretary ran into some trouble.

As Clinton began to discuss her plan for job growth, she told the crowd that she has and will stand up to Wall Street. From the sea of Hillary supporters, a lone heckler called out:

“But you took their money! Why did you take their money?”

This is by no means the first time that Clinton has been ridiculed for her relationship with Wall Street and wealthy corporations. However, she was prepared with a new response to her critic. Clinton replied to the heckler, saying:

“Obama had donations… It didn’t change Obama’s view of Wall Street regulation, and it didn’t change mine!”

This response is just the most recent example from a long line of quotes in which Hillary clings to Obama for support and stability. However, this time was different. Rather than using the President to highlight her strengths, Clinton used him to defend one of her weaknesses. It was a moment that revealed just how central the Obama Administration is to the Clinton campaign. For Hillary, the pledge to expand on the past eight years is her equivalent to a “political revolution.”

She used the exchange with the heckler as an opportunity to remind the audience that, although Obama had received a donation from Wall Street, he was still able to “pass Dodd-Frank.” With this, she aimed to convince anyone with doubts surrounding her Wall Street ties that she could — and would — tackle economic corruption and special interests.

For the former Secretary, it was a deliberate and clear argument that undoubtedly applied to much more than just her plan for Wall Street. The message: If Obama did it, then so can I.