IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
By Ed Hoffman
One of the most oft-cited reasons people will use when defending their support of Hillary Clinton is that she is a trailblazer – a woman who shattered some mythical glass ceiling you didn’t even know existed (at least I didn’t). That’s why I found it refreshing to hear a female reporter ask Ms. Clinton, during the five minutes she gave the press last week while campaigning in Iowa, how she thought she could relate to everyday Americans. And not just any reporter, but Cecilia Vega – who I admit I know nothing about, except that she works for ABC News. Why does that matter? Because perhaps not so coincidentally, this is the network coming under fire for retaining former Clinton administration hack-turned-journalist, George Stephanopoulos, for $105 million right before it was found out that he is a major Clinton Foundation supporter.
Vega’s question was spot on: “You’re in the tip-top echelon of earners in this country. How do you expect everyday Americans to relate to you?” It’s a perfect question, because as Vega noted in her ABC report, Bill and Hillary Clinton promise to champion middle class Americans while themselves raking in more than $25 million giving speeches around the world. Ms. Clinton’s answer to the question doesn’t really matter, because it was a predictably generic response about making the world a better place for members of the next generation, like her granddaughter (remember, she’s a grandma now! Somehow, that’s supposed to add to her charm and likability).
So rather than relaying Hillary’s response, I’d like to echo the intrepid reporter’s concerns: How does Ms. Clinton plan to make herself relatable to average Americans? I know I’m not breaking any new ground by raising this question, but it bears repeating for our local audience here in the Inland Empire. As I service mortgage customers, do my weekly radio show and participate in community involvement, I’m consistently amazed and saddened by how little some people are invested in learning about their national leaders. How does that start? I guess, as some people have told me, it’s because they weren’t raised to care about “that stuff.” They were raised to care about the Dodgers, Angels or Lakers – but not the security, sovereignty and specialness of the United States of America. As a result, these people grow up to be naïve about the direction of this country and the leaders who are taking us there. The girls grow up to be fans of Hillary Clinton “just because,” and the boys grow up to avoid learning about anyone in government at all unless someone is hyped to the point of saturation (i.e. Barack Obama). So, what’s the solution?
I say it all the time on the air: Talk to your children about government and politics. If your children are grown and they disagree with you, keep the discussion respectful and civil – but always, always make sure your kids know where you stand. And if your children are still young, well, then they’re still yours to mold. Don’t miss out on that chance; you only get one shot.
Ed Hoffman is the host of the Main Event on AM590, which airs Saturday 9:30AM- 10:30AM and Sunday 4:00PM- 5:00PM. Follow him on Twitter @EdHoffman, and like him on Facebook by searching The Main Event 590.
