" People talk about poverty in this campaign. Well, we lifted more people out of poverty in the 1990s than during any time in our history." That was Hillary Clinton yesterday, in Iowa, taking a shot at big-talker John Edwards - but more important, raising two fundamental questions about her candidacy: 1. What do you mean by "We lifted people out of poverty. ..." Not: "We helped people rise from poverty. ..." Not: "We established conditions in which people were able to succeed. ..." No. "We lifted people out of poverty." Does any statement better exemplify the vaunting pretension and the condescending arrogance of nanny-state liberalism at its most off-putting? 2. What do you mean "we," Hillary? Were you co-president? Will Bill be co-president if you win? Is what you are offering America a backward-looking Clinton-couple restoration? Instead: How about one president, and no nanny state?
William Kristol
Kristol: Co-Presidents of the Nanny State
"People talk about poverty in this campaign. Well, we lifted more people out of poverty in the 1990s than during any time in our history." That was Hillary Clinton yesterday, in Iowa, taking a shot at big-talker John Edwards - but more important, raising two fundamental questions about her…
William Kristol · December 20, 2007
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