Saturday Reads and Live Blog: Hillary’s Official Campaign Launch
Posted: June 13, 2015 Filed under: 2016 elections, Hillary Clinton, morning reads, U.S. Economy, U.S. Politics | Tags: Bill Clinton, Bill de Blasio, Dorothy Rodham, FAA, Income Inequality, Jennifer Palmieri, no fly zones, Roosevelt Island, Secret Service, Sioux City IA, Temporary Flight Restrictions 130 Comments
Good Morning!!
The day we’ve all be waiting for since June 2008 has finally arrived! Hillary Clinton will officially begin her campaign for the presidency this morning on New York City’s Roosevelt Island. Let’s watch her speech together!
I signed up to get an email when the live feed begins on Hillary’s website. There doesn’t seems to be any other way to get the link–if you find one, please let us know. I assume CNN and other media outlets will be covering the event as well.
I’ll put up a second live blog if we need it.
Hillary’s big campaign kickoff
Hillary’s speech will reportedly focus on income inequality and how she would deal with the problem as president. From the AP, via ABC News: Clinton Calling for New Era of Shared Economic Prosperity.
At an outdoor rally Saturday on New York City’s Roosevelt Island, Clinton will portray herself as a fierce advocate for those left behind in the post-recession economy, detailing a lifetime of work on behalf of struggling families. She says her mother’s difficult childhood inspired what she considers a calling….
“Her story, her life, is she is someone who has always been advocating and fighting for someone else,” said Jennifer Palmieri, the Clinton campaign’s communications director….
Clinton is not expected to roll out specific policy proposals in her address. Aides say that will come in the following weeks on issues that include college affordability, jobs and the economy. She plans to give a policy address almost every week during the summer and fall, Palmieri said.
The rest of the article is criticism of Hillary’s “divisiveness” and her decision not to specifically address the Keystone Pipeline and the TPP. Sigh . . .
Yesterday Beata posted Hillary’s kickoff video, “Fighter.” Here it is again:
At NPR, Mara Liasson writes: How Would Hillary Clinton ‘Reshuffle’ Economic Inequality?
Clinton does talk about the economy a lot on the campaign trail, but so far only in broad strokes. She says she wants everyone to have the same chances she had — and that, as she said visiting a brewery in May, “here in Washington we know that unfortunately the deck is still being stacked for those at the top.”
She says that her job is to take that deck and “reshuffle the cards” but what does that mean?
“Paramount is how we’re going to have an economy that grows for everyone, that’s inclusive, in which middle class families and people struggling to get into the middle class can get ahead as the economy grows,” said Neera Tanden, an informal advisor to Clinton and president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress….
She’ll start spelling it all out Saturday in her big kick off speech. Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta said that’s when Clinton will talk about the conditions of the country and “why people haven’t seen their wages rise even as we’ve seen private sector job growth come back in this country.”
He says she’ll also talk about “what she wants to do to make sure that people get ahead and stay ahead. She’ll lay out a template for that, and then through the course of the Summer and into the Fall she’ll get specific about what policies she thinks she’ can achieve to help people succeed in life,” he said.
In those Summer and Fall speeches, Clinton will lay out her plans for college affordability, early childhood education, Wall Street reform and paid family leave. At some point she will say exactly how high she wants the minimum wage to be, and how she’d finance big investments in infrastructure. And, her aides say, she’ll also eventually explain how she plans to solve one part of the income inequality puzzle — that even when profits and productivity go up, wages do not follow.
You can also listen to Liasson’s interview with Tanden at NPR: Hillary Clinton To Address Economic Issues In Campaign Speech.
ABC News reports that the FAA has declared a no-fly zone during this morning’s rally.
Federal officials today took the rare step of creating a “no-fly zone” around the site of Hillary Clinton’s campaign kickoff rally in New York City on Saturday.
The Federal Aviation Administration established the protective zone in the form of a so-called “Notice to Airmen” announcing that a section along Manhattan’s East Side will be temporarily transformed into “national defense airspace.”
The FAA website lists the reason as “Temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement” and cites the federal law that the FAA employs to ban flights over events attended by the president, vice president or other key dignitaries.
“The United States government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat,” according to the notice….
“This is highly unusual,” a spokesman for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, told ABC News. The “no fly zones,” also known as “Temporary Flight Restrictions” are issued about 1,000 times a year, according to the association. But they usually are not issued for candidates for president….
City officials objected to the restriction because of the effect it is expected to have on popular sightseeing helicopters. The no-fly zone will not have any impact on commercial jets landing and taking off from nearby LaGuardia Airport.
Speaking of city officials, The New York Times emphasizes that while most of New York City’s political elite will attend the event, Mayor Bill De Blasio chose not to accept his invitation. He told the Times that
I’m waiting to hear, as I said, her larger vision for addressing income inequality, and I look forward to that.
He’s beginning to look like a real jerk, IMO. But his effort to be a wet blanket isn’t going to have any effect. Does anyone but the Hillary-hating Times really care? I seriously doubt it.
Later tonight, Hillary will make her first campaign stop in Sioux City, Iowa. From the Sioux City Journal: Sioux City Democrats await Hillary Clinton visit Saturday.
Rick Mullin is excited to see Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Saturday evening, when she’s scheduled to make her first stop in Sioux City during the 2016 election cycle.
Mullin has met Clinton a few times, dating to 1996, when she was the nation’s first lady and Mullin was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
“One on one, she is exceptionally good. Very warm, she listens to you,” said Mullin, a former Woodbury County Democratic Party Chairman, from Sioux City.
Mullin will meet Clinton at an airport and follow that by attending her appearance at a Sioux City home.
Coming in her third swing of the Hawkeye state this year, it will be Clinton’s first event in Northwest Iowa. Saturday’s house party will be simulcast nationally. After having smaller stops in Iowa through Saturday, Clinton on Sunday will step up to larger events, with a town hall meeting planned for the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
More at the link.
Of course the media is dying to know what Bill Clinton’s role will be in Hillary’s campaign. CNN got an interview with the former president that is going to run on Sunday morning: Bill Clinton opens up about his relationship with Hillary.
Bill and Hillary Clinton rarely talk about their relationship with one another. But in an interview set to air Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the former president opened up about the woman he said he trusts with his life.
“Whenever I had trouble, she was a rock in our family,” Clinton said during an emotional interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in Denver.
“I trust her with my life, and have on more than one occasion,” he said, describing his wife as someone who helped him through some of the most trying times of his life.
Bill Clinton described how his wife helped him through years “plagued with self-doubt” in his late 20s and offered him someone to not only lean on, but to help guide him through perilous moments in his career.
“I was the youngest former governor in American history in 1980 on election night. I got killed in the Reagan landslide,” Clinton remembered. “People I had appointed to office would walk across the street, they were so afraid of the new regime in Arkansas, and would not shake hands with me. My career prospects were not particularly bright.”
“And she never blinked. She just said, ‘Hey. It’ll turn around. I believe in you. You’ve got this,'” he said.
Read more at the link.
Bustle compiled from various sources, including the CNN interview: 8 Bill Clinton Quotes On Hillary Clinton And How She Inspired Him During Hard Times.
A couple more lightweight articles on Hillary’s campaign:
Billboard: How Hillary Clinton Is Soundtracking Her 2016 Presidential Campaign.,
Quartz: It’s official: Hillary Clinton’s logo is actually perfect.
News to discuss while we await Hillary’s big speech:
NYT: Suspects Open Fire Outside Dallas Police Headquarters.
CNN: Explosives found, suspect cornered after gunfire targets Dallas police HQ.
NYT: House Rejects Trade Measure, Rebuffing Obama’s Dramatic Appeal.
David Dayen at Salon: The Democrats’ TPP rebellion just drew blood. Everything you need to know about today’s shocking vote.
CBS DC: Dem Reps: Obama Became ‘Indignant’ On Capitol Hill, Visit ‘Absolutely’ Hurt Trade Bill
CNN: Race of Rachel Dolezal, head of Spokane NAACP, comes under question.
NAACP: NAACP STATEMENT ON RACHEL DOLEZAL.
Jonathan Capehart: The damage Rachel Dolezal has done.
The Federalist: If Rachel Dolezal Isn’t Black, How Is Caitlyn Jenner A Woman?
Mary Beth Williams at Salon: Stop making excuses for Rachel Dolezal: The Spokane NAACP official’s fraud is unforgivable
WaPo: Chinese hack of federal personnel files included security-clearance database.
Think Progress: Romney’s E2 Summit.
LOL story from Politico: Mark Halperin, Ann Romney to host ‘Sunrise Pilates’ for GOP megadonors.
NBC News: What We Know: David Sweat and Richard Matt, Escaped Inmates, Still on the Run.
CNN: New York prison worker Joyce Mitchell charged with helping inmates escape.
Texas Observer: Federal Judges Disregard Impact of Abortion Law on Poor Women.
Mother Jones: The Supreme Court Could Make Abortion One of 2016’s Big Campaign Issues.
Mother Jones: A GOP Operative Just Got 2 Years in Prison For Breaking Super-PAC Rules.
Reuters, via Raw Story: Newly-released records show CIA in-house feud over inability to prevent 9/11 attacks.
Raw Story: Michigan adopts law to take away families’ food assistance if kids miss school.
The Weather Channel: When the Weather Changes, So Does Your DNA.
This is an open thread. Please join in.
peej
Carissa
ecocatwoman
grayslady
mablue2
NW Luna
peggysue22
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Have a great weekend, Sky Dancers!
Thank you BB, I am on my second cup of coffee, and thinking of making myself a breakfast burrito. Ready.
Great!
I have to go off to a conference for work in about half an hour, and blast it, will miss Hillary’s live speech. I know all my SkyDancer friends will be live-blogging here and I look forward to reading everything later!
“Puzzle,” hah! The bosses suck up the profits from productive workers and since they have no sense of fairness, don’t raise wages. The power balance is heavily tipped in favor of the owners.
Hillary knows what’s important for ordinary Americans. This country is in such need of someone with her vision for America’s “ordinary” citizens, and with her keen policy sense. And her executive ability. I am so, so glad she is running!
Most of the articles about this are so annoying. They all stick in little digs at Hillary, painting her as conservative.
Sorry you won’t be here for the live blog, but I hope you check in later on.
I am going to do my best to join you for the live blog.
I also believe. that Boston Boomer and I are celebrating an “anniversary” of sorts since we joined up 7 years ago as Hillary supporters!
Yay! Thanks for keeping track of the date. I had no idea.
Oh yeah, I was early with the dancers, and for Hillary. So many of the early sites were hacked and shut down. I can remember all the things about her personality, and about own self.
That’s a good place to start. Hillary’s personality: I think the most important thing that drew me to her was the feeling that I still have to this very day. She’s got real backbone, and she knows how to wheel and deal with the Big Boys Club, and above all she is so damn loyal.
With all that, she is really funny. I loved it when she laughs at herself, or Bill, or the world around her. I’ll never forget the day in New Hampshire, when she shed tears, and I knew for the first time in my entire life that women were a voting block, and we could make a difference. Her confidence led me to be more confident, more assertive, and comfortable being who I really was. For so many years, my lifestyle had changed, and the center of my universe were my children. Not the politics of the 60’s and 70’s, but the me and mine. I thought I had done a lot for the woman’s movement. I still did things under cover, like helping with a safe house out in boonies for women, and children. I kept that side of me quite. Hillary has never stop supporting domestic violence centers across this county, and neither do we. She fights to eliminate violence against women, and that draws me close to who she really is. That’s big stuff for me. She understand people, men and power, and how to work through that here in America. But not just here, but in Ireland, in Pakistan, China, Africa, Vietnam, Bosnia, India, Middle East, all over the world, her matter of factness and her way
of operating, mattered to all women, men, and families. Her leadership, is part of her being who she was growing up in America. Learning to pedal that tricycle as fast and as hard as she can go, and never quitting. When she falls down, she gets back up, and seals the deal, and makes peace. When it comes to war, she has taken a stern stance, and supported it, in order to deal with terrorism. She admits her mistakes, and she sees what has happened, and what roads she would not cross for power and money. She’s taking the blame for a lot of ills that were created by our former leaders, including the blame the wife on Bill Clinton’s behaviors and deals. She has learned to be at ease with the military, with our culture, with the world. She has done so in other countries, in various institutions, and in academics, and in the working class, and poor people. I love that she is listening, she is working to earn her votes, because I truly believe she understand.
Like the rest of us, she loves her family. She has stuck it out, and she has raised a wonderful daughter, and now smiles down on little Charlotte, who will someday pick up her grandmother’s lead. The hardest thing for Hillary was letting go of her momma. There are the days when she walks in her momma’s way of life. Sometimes our families are not simple, but a momma’s love is. And part of that is her religion, as a Methodist, she hold firm to her belief, without the bible thumping that is going on in politics. She understand separation of church and state.
Here she is on this day, showing us what leadership is through the lens of her family.
Go Sister Go.
I fell in love with Hillary during the NH primary in 2008. Thanks for the reminder.
It’s been 7 years for me on various Hillary blogs. So many things have happened since that time, yet it seems like yesterday.
That was very heartfelt, Fannie. Thank you.
I can relate to Hillary’s relationship with her mother. It’s so hard to let go of a mother; she is always there in memory and spirit. My mother was a fighter, but above all, I learned from her compassion. People may do and say bad things to you, she would tell me when I was little, but never become the thing you hate. Always try to rise above it. My mother was raised a Methodist. Her religious beliefs formed the core of her political actions in civil rights and the Vietnam anti-war movement. I remember when she cast her primary vote in the nursing home for Hillary in 2008. She was so proud to vote for her on that day. When I cast my vote for Hillary in 2016, I will be thinking of my mama.
Found on Facebook:
From Counterpunch in 2011:
The Myth of Bernie Sanders. Senator Bait and Switch, by Thomas Naylor
Now Hillary’s Facebook page says the live stream won’t begin until 11:45. Apparently we’ll be able to get the video there.
Here’s the live feed link at HillaryClinton.com.
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/live/
Here’s Hillary’s new Instagram page. Very cute baby pics there.
https://instagram.com/hillaryclinton/
Get some dancing going in the kitchen:
Here’s a live feed from Yahoo
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/live-updates-from-hillary-clintons-2016-campaign-121379592201.html
Some pre-Hillary events going on on-stage right now. Crowd looks to be sizable and growing.
Crowd looks young, too. Lots of music for “the kids”.
I love that the crowd is young. That’s exactly the Demo she needs to get the enthusiasm momentum she needs for the long haul.
I love it, too. The young crowd sends a good message about the campaign.
Yes it does. As long as Josh Duggar isn’t in the crowd she’s in good shape with the young people
LOL, Mouse! I wish those Duggar girls could break away from that family. I bet they would support Hillary.
There’s a live stream of the campaign launch rally on C-SPAN’s online site now. Also on C-SPAN TV. Hillary is expected to speak at around 11:45 am ET.
Thanks. I was just about to post that. I’m watching.
Let’s get it going! I’m been waiting for this since 2008 and am all in once again!
I was wondering if I was going to live long enough to see it.
So was I.
Brain tumor be damned, I will live to see Hillary become President.
We’re going to give it our best shot!!!!
This looks like it’s going to be much better attended than Rick Santorum’s campaign Rally in Iowa where 1 person showed up. LOL!!!! 🙂
And Lincoln Chaffee’s announcement in a half-empty high school auditorium.
It matched his half-empty brain
Yes!
I see the Secret Service eyeballing the crowd, She should be on stage soon
Haters gonna Hate!!!!
That Weather Channel link on seasonal gene expression is really interesting, BB!
I thought so too!
I see Big Dawg. Hillary being introduced now. Wearing royal blue. Shaking hands with crowd.
What’s the song being played?
SHE’S A ROCK STAR!!!!!
I’m getting a much better picture on Hillary’s facebook feed. She’s about to take the stage.
It looks like she’s tearing up.
The stage is shaped like her campaign logo.
Crowd shouting “Hillary” over and over. She is thanking the crowd, especially her former NY constituents. Explaining FDR’s bargain with the American people. Says it still sounds good to her. ( Cheers ) But since FDR, times have changed and the promises of trickle down economics proven false. Have helped the wealthy but not the average person. That must change. It is time for the economy to work for all Americans. That is why she is running. Top down economics have failed but the GOP is still singing “Yesterday”. She is then talking about climate change, Wall Street reforms, and healthcare ( especially reproductive rights ), immigration, and LGBT rights.
Are you watching?
I just found her.
She’s looking fantastic, and so are the young people. Beautiful Day, and away we go.
Ahh geez, I guess she has to do homage. Trickle down, ha.
Republicans with their continual cuts, and borrowing money from other countries to pay for the wars, but America is not running the way it should. “When does my family get ahead””
The kindergarten teacher reference on pay ratios is good.
America can’t succeed unless you succeed. That is why I am running for President of United States.
Go Sister Go.
I am not running for some Americans, but ALL Americans.
I guess she answered the question of whether she would call out income disparity. Roosveldt Island– “rendezvous with destiny” ha.
She talked about trade complexities in the midst of TPP.
How can this woman be denied?
Preach it Hillary!!!
Climate change, wall street, banks, health insurance, women, women women women! Immigrants, lgbt . It takes an inclusive society, (village).
College debt. Families and debt. Her mother on her own at 14. Kindness who believed she mattered. Her employer.
herstory on farm labor, and first job at children’s defense fund. Arkansas and New York, 911.
Taking about her mother. Also about working right out of law school for disabled children through the Children’s Defense League. ( I’m tearing up about that. ) She carries with her the stories of the many struggling people she has met over her long career. She wants to be their champion. To fight for them as POTUS.
*Children’s Defense Fund
4 fights: economy for everyone. growth and fairness. stop inequality but getting support for all equal pay for women and no discrimination against LGBT.
rewrite the tax code, new incentives to companies for profit sharing, new small business loan, public and private investment for inovation, energy superpower as alternative using additional fees from fossil fuel. Coal.
build infrastructure and broadband, using bonds etc. preschool and quality child care to everyone in the US.
Is there a topic or issue she is not immersed in? No!
She covering all the bases. Too much to blog!
She’s brilliant and knows enough about this country and it’s problems to tackle them and fix them.
GO HILLARY GO
Love, love, love this lady!!
We need to get our battle gear on Pat, this is going to be a tough fight. I’m ready, are you?
Me too, I was teary eyed when she said she had enough of the republicans shaming women, and that she was going to work to stop the disrespect. I can’t wait to see her face to face with these clowns.
primary and secondary teachers, make college affordable.
Earn paid sick days, get work schedule early enough to plan day care. paid family leave. past time to end outrage of women earning less especially women of color, its a family issue. help for mental health.
Path to Citizenship. Ban discrimination to LGBT.
Hillary is brilliant. The crowd is enthusiastic. It’s a beautiful day on Roosevelt Island!
We’ve waited so long for this day, and it’s going to be worth it.
Third fight: Harness all our power, to deal with international threats, political, disease, cyber, ISIS, Russia, Korea. Make sure returning vets get the care they earned
WE must shape global events rather than be shaped. must be strong at home.
WOW. Constitutional Amendment to undo Citizens United.
I was waiting for her to say that and she did!
She hit every talking point that I was hoping for. She didn’t leave anything out, she didn’t leave anyone out. Brilliant.
Forth fight. stop the flow of money that drowns our vote, need a Court that helps. Constitutional amendment to get rid of Citizens United. universal voting at 18.
Will work to undo Citizens United. Make it easier for all citizens to vote.
Government needs access to better technology to streamline services.
“Renew the promises of our democracy.”
“I will be the youngest woman President of the United States.”
HA! May not the youngest candidate, but will be the youngest women and grandmother. MY hair wont turn gray I’ve been coloring it for years.
Her hair looks great!
That was charming.
“I have been called many things by many people. ‘Quitter’ is not one of them.”
That was a great line. I loved it.
The platform has an arrow like her logo.
Got a feeling she will make a better president than Bill.
I agree. Among other things, she had the benefit of learning up-close from Bill’s mistakes and Obama’s. I can’t imagine a person more qualified to be President than Hillary.
There isn’t one. That’s a fact.
Bill is tired.
Too thin, IMO.
Hillary has the most beautiful smile–so genuine.
Yes she does. I thought she looked perfect. And the crowd loved her.
I can’t believe I had unexpected company, and will have to re watch most of it. Thanks Hillary!
Fannie, just pretend you’re not home when unexpected company arrives. That’s what I do.
I do that too, Beata. Fannie must be a nicer person than I am.
I jumped up to quick, wanting to get back to the study. Hubby put it on so I could watch it from the start. Awesome speech. I can’t wait to help her serve us better.
I tried to watch every campaign speech she delivered in the 2007/2008. I either watched them on CSPAN through streaming video or on YouTube. IMHO: THIS WAS THE BEST SPEECH SHE HAS EVER GIVEN. Hillary is like Fine Wine Baby, She gets better with age.
I so agree. She was wonderful and has become a terrific public speaker.
If I could add one thing to Hillary’s Speech I would have had her put her Sunglasses on at the End. She looks so COOL in her shades.
I think she is going to have an uphill battle explaining why the Government needs newer better technology against the political backdrop of the NSA and the Patriot Act. Though I get why public services like the VA and Medicare are in desperate need, it could all be easily conflated. Folks get really cranky about this aspect of Government, especially when we are hearing about data breaches. they would much rather close their eyes and dither their personal info away to corporations.
You know, I still walk around wondering how in the hell did Kalief Brower end up in Rikers, and spent 3 years, and never had a trial. This is a case where a boy fell through the cracks, and nobody was paying attention. This is one reason why we need better technology to communicate throughout the Justice System, from entry to release. We have got to do a better job, know how to better use our technology, and share that hand in hand. That’s where transparency comes from.
Good point.
That is the same question I as myself.
I thought the speech was great and very presidential, Yhough I imagine the pro-left will be asking “Why didn’t Hillary mention what I wanted?” because stupid.
Agreed.
C-SPAN lists re-airings of Hillary’s speech today at 3:30 pm, 8:00 pm, and 11:00 pm ( all ET ) .
Listening to her now through her facebook page…..tears in my eyes, …it’s really happening!
Isn’t it wonderful! She has worked so hard for this. This is our time!
Sorry for putting that up twice, or maybe not. It’s so good to be able to read that comment on this blog that has for so long defended and supported the LGBT community and unfailingly supported Hillary. GO HILLARY!!!
Join Team Hillary by texting JOIN to 47246. GO HILLARY!!!!!!!
What an amazing day. I cannot look at her or listen to her without tearing up. The thought of this brilliant, forceful, dynamic and bold woman as President of the United States gives me hope I haven’t had in 23 years.
I feel the same way. I just hope she wins!
Me too BB….and Mab…
JJ, I got an email for a new “Sunday Reads”, but the page doesn’t load. Still working on it?
It’s up now.
Long time no see, MB! It has been an amazing day. We’ve waited a long time for it to come.
Me too.
Kelly Clarkson’s song “Stronger” is on Hillary’s official campaign playlist:
A new blog for “Hillary Men”:
http://www.hillarymen.com/
Peter Daou and Tom Watson are doing a bang up job.
That’s a great site!
Thanks all for the great commentary on Hillary’s speech! Sorry I couldn’t listen live; I’ll find a recording.
Here’s the C-Span video.
Thank you for this and for the live blog comments. I was out of town attending a wedding and missed the fun and now I have company at my house but I’ll catch up throughout the week. The bits and pieces I’ve heard and read seem wonderful.
Cried like a baby over the “Fighter” video. I can’t wait until my daughter wakes up to show her.