|
Courtney Deklotz
Author's Bio
Hillary Diane Rodham was born on October 26, 1947, in Illinois. After graduating from Wellesley College and Yale Law School, Hillary launched her career as a lawyer. Hillary married Bill Clinton in 1975 and became the First Lady of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992. When Bill became President of the United States in 1993, Hillary assumed an active role in his administration. In 2000, Hillary was elected to the United States Senate as a representative of New York. Reelected by a wide margin in 2006, Hillary is a likely candidate for the Democratic Party in the 2008 Presidential Election.
A Look Inside
First Lady Hillary Clinton often shocked the American public with her ever-changing hairstyles during her husband's term of office--long curls would be straightened and cut short by evening, only to be curled and dyed the very next day. Joking about the matter, Clinton once remarked, "If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle." Although said in a humorous manner, Clinton's remark sheds light upon the overwhelming factors that come with being a politician. Constantly scrutinized by both the media and political enemies, Clinton uses her memoir, Living History, as a means of educating the public about her journey. In the beginning of her autobiography, Clinton makes it clear that her story is "not meant to be a comprehensive history, but a personal memoir that offers an inside look at an extraordinary time in [her] life and in the life of America."1 During a time of massive economic and social changes, Clinton was a forerunner of social justice and democratic ideals.
The Baby Boom following World War II gave way to a hopeful generation that was awoken to the problems of inequality and ready to seek social justice. Amongst those born in this time was Hillary Diane Rodham, who was born on October 26, 1947, to a middle class, Midwestern family. Although Hillary's mother was a closet Democrat, Hillary's father was a self proclaimed "rock-ribbed, up-by-your-boots, conservative Republican and proud of it."2 Hillary decided during high school to follow in her father's footsteps, declaring herself a Republican. After high school, Hillary decided to attend Wellesley College in Boston, Massachusetts. By the end of her schooling at Wellesley, Hillary had changed her political beliefs and now called herself a Democrat. Remembering her four years at Wellesley, Hillary accounts that "every month [she] read articles that sharply contrasted with [her] usual sources of information. [Her] ideas, new and old, were tested daily by political science professors who pushed [her] to expand [her] understanding of the world and examine [her] own preconceptions just when current events provided more than enough material."3 When Hillary graduated in 1969, she gave a passionate commencement address in which she stated, "The challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making the impossible, possible."4 Hillary's speech became well known as it spoke to her generation and Hillary was the first student to ever deliver a commencement address at Wellesley. After graduation, Hillary attended Yale Law School, where she began to lay the foundations for her career as a lawyer. In 1970, Hillary met Bill Clinton and the two shortly became inseparable. Over the next two years, Hillary worked at a small law firm, until the summer of 1972, when she joined the investigation against the Nixon Administration. Afterwards, Hillary joined Bill working for the McGovern campaign in Texas. Once the election was over, Bill moved back to his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas and Hillary moved to Massachusetts where she worked for the Children's Defense Fund, which helped pass the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Hillary then moved to Washington DC, where she joined an impeachment of Richard Nixon staff organized by John Doar. When the investigation was complete, Hillary followed her heart back to Arkansas, where she taught law school. Bill was in the midst of the Congressional election, having already won the primary for Congress and the Democratic runoff; however, the couple made time for a small wedding ceremony on October 11, 1975. In 1976, Bill won the election as Attorney General of Arkansas. Hillary began preparing for their future, becoming a partner at Rose Law Firm. In 1978, Bill was elected Governor of Arkansas. During Bill's first term of office, Hillary became pregnant, giving birth to Chelsea Victoria Clinton on February 27, 1980. In order to secure their future, Hillary played the commodities market with the help of Jim Blair and entered a partnership with Jim McDougal buying and selling vacation homes. During the election of 1980, Bill lost support by supporting President Carter on an internal crisis. False media portrayals of Bill lost him the reelection, a staggering defeat for the couple. When Bill announced his decision to run for another term in 1982, Hillary decided to legally change her name to Hillary Rodham Clinton, succumbing to the duties of a politician's wife. Upon Bill's victory, he wasted no time working to reform the education system. On October 2, 1991, Bill announced his intention to run for President. The thirteen-month presidential campaign that followed was an exhausting experience that opened Hillary's eyes to the blatant cruelty and slandering of politics. Once the Democratic Party formally nominated Bill in July 1992, Hillary and Bill set off on their campaign tour with the Vice Presidential candidate Al Gore and his wife Tipper. The issue of healthcare became the cornerstone of Bill's campaign and although it was a huge challenge, the Democratic Party believed that voters seeking change would vote Clinton into the presidency.
On November 3, 1992, Bill Clinton won the election for the President of the United States. Hillary realized that "there is no training manual for First Ladies. Each of [her] predecessors brought to the White House her own attitudes and expectations, likes and dislikes, dreams, and doubts. Each carved out a role that reflected her own interests and style and that balanced the needs of her husband, family, and country. So would [Hillary]."5 Attending all eleven inaugural balls, Hillary and Bill celebrated the new opportunity before them. Following sound advice from Jackie Kennedy, a loyal and dear friend to Hillary, Hillary protected Chelsea's right to privacy and a normal childhood. Hillary was surprised by the media's scrutiny of her though, "never expect[ing] that the way [she] defined her role as First Lady would generate so much controversy and confusion. In [her] own mind, [she] was tradition in some ways and not in others. [She] cared about the food [she] served [their] guests, and [she] also wanted to improve the delivery of health care for all Americans."6 Bill had decided that his administration would present a health care reform plan to Congress within one hundred days and appointed Hillary the chairwoman of the newly created President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform. The challenge stirred up a great deal of controversy, making the task before Hillary seemingly impossible. Hillary was quickly detained however, when in March of 1993, Hillary's father, Hugh Rodham, had a massive stroke that led to his death. Pressing on, Bill and Hillary worked hard to present the Health Security Act to Congress on October 27. Just days after, Hillary and Bill received word that their estates venture in Arkansas with Jim McDougal was under investigation, due to allegations that "McDougal had used his S&L to funnel money illegally to political campaigns, including Bill's gubernatorial reelection campaign in 1986."7 Hillary and Bill both claimed to be unaware of McDougal's foul business practices and all evidence found since has proven their innocence, however, the scandal proved a serious setback for the Clinton Administration. Carefully crafted by their opponents, the "Whitewater" scandal looked to discredit the President and shed doubt upon his honesty. The Clintons consented to an Independent Counsel and called for a special prosecutor. In the midst of all of this, Bill's mother, Virginia Kelley died. Deeply saddened, the Clintons nevertheless had to move forth and clear their name of the Whitewater charges. At the same time, Hillary found herself at a stalemate with the health care initiatives. Hillary came to realize that "some opposition to health care reform, like Whitewater, was part of a political war that was bigger than Bill or the issues [they] championed. [They] were on the front lines of an increasingly hostile ideological conflict between centrist Democrats and a Republican Party that was swinging further and further to the right. [They] soon learned that nothing was off-limits in this war and the other side was far better armed with the tools of political battle: money, media, and organization."8 Sadly, the Clinton Administration conceded defeat on their health care reform in 1994. The 1994 midterm congressional election thus looked dim for the President. Two weeks before the election, Hillary and Bill traveled to the Middle East, where they witnessed the signing of the Israeli-Jordanian peace agreement. To Hillary, the trip was a highlight of Bill's milestones in foreign affairs. In the midterm election, the Democrats lost eight Senate seats and fifty-four seats in the House, creating an astonishing Republican majority. Greatly disappointed, Hillary blamed herself, wondering "whether [they] had lost the election over health care; whether [she] had gambled on the country's acceptance of [her] active role and lost."9 Feeling as though he too had let his party down, Bill set forth to rework and reassert his agenda. Hillary was prepared to support her husband during the rest of his presidency, whatever the cost.
The new Republican majority in Congress created a new set of problems for the Clintons. Ultra-conservative Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich supported reducing welfare by placing welfare children in orphanage. Alarmed, Hillary spoke out against Gingrich in a speech before the New York Women's Agenda on November 20, 1994. In March 1995, Hillary took her first extended trip without the President to South Asia. Hillary was to be a symbol that the United States' commitment to helping other nations strengthen democracy and expand rights. Hillary made it her goal to meet with as many women as possible, learning a great deal about women's rights in other countries. Back in America, Bill introduced Dick Morris into his team to help direct a new course for the administration. Bill began working towards a "third position--like the apex of a triangle."10 Because both the Republicans and the Democrats were in "two polar positions and neither [believed] it could afford to be seen as [moving] toward the other," Bill decided to work on legislation that would appeal to both sides.10 Hillary published her first book, It Takes a Village, during this controversial time. Hillary began writing a newspaper column entitled "Talking It Over," in which she was able to talk directly to the public, cutting out the media's ability to twist her words. For Hilary, domestic issues dominated the spring of 1995, culminating in the Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19. While the country dealt with the tragedy, special prosecutor Kenneth Starr and his deputies continued to question the Clintons on the Whitewater properties. Still without any incriminating evidence, the counsel nevertheless continued to investigate. Meanwhile, Hillary attended the United Nation's Fourth World Conference on Women in China, advocating that women's rights are human rights. Back at home, Clinton vetoed the Republicans cuts in environmental protection, education funding and programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The Republicans were now being held responsible for the budget impasse and their shutdown of legislation. The media continued to withhold the facts about Whitewater from the public, making the Clintons look as though they were hiding something. When Carolyn Huber, a friend of the Clintons, discovered some missing records from the Whitewater case, she immediately reported them. The records supported the Clintons claims, proving that they would have had no motive in trying to conceal them. Bill and Hillary did their best to shield Chelsea from the investigations and media coverage. Bill vetoed two bills for strict time limits on welfare, no supports for the transition to work, and no benefits for legal immigrants. Bill chose to sign the third bill into law because it contained more financial support and medical benefits. Upon accepting his nomination in the 1996 election, Bill reviewed America's progress. Confident in a victory, Hillary was ready to begin "speak[ing] out publicly to help shape the White House policy on issues affecting women, children, and families."11 Hillary wanted to "guard the social safety net--health care, education, pensions, wages, and jobs."11 and when Bill won by a solid eight percentage points, the Clintons were ready to get back to the issues of the American people.
In Bill Clinton's second term of office, he focused on legislation that would bring a positive change to people's lives. Hillary convened two White House conferences, one on Child Care and the other on Early Childhood Development and Learning. The domestic policies outlined in Bill's 1998 State of the Union Address acquitted $20 billion to increase childcare. Hillary continued to promote domestic initiatives throughout Bill's term in office. When the "Summit of Eight," later to become the G-8, met in the summer of 1997, Hillary invited the visiting First Ladies to accompany her up to Winter Park ski resort. Whereas Hillary had once "questioned the value of state visits in which the men sequestered themselves to meetings and the wives were treated to stage-managed tours of cultural landmarks [she] now realized that forging good relationships with [her] fellow spouses provided convenient low-key communication among the heads of states." 12 That September, Hillary and Bill saw Chelsea off to Stanford University in California, a bittersweet experience. During this time, Bill was sued by Paula Jones on sexual harassment charges. Bill was scheduled to appear under oath on January 17, 1998 to be interviewed about the Paula Jones case. On January 21, Bill awoke Hillary to tell her about news reports that claimed he'd had an affair with an intern, Monica Lewinsky. Bill denied having any improper conduct with Monica and Hillary chose to believe her husband. Months later, on August 15, Bill admitted to Hillary that he had engaged in inappropriate intimacy with Monica Lewinsky. Infuriated and hurt, Hillary chose to work through her pain and stuck by her husband's side during the impeachment process. Although Bill was not impeached, the process was painstaking for the First couple. With the end of Bill's term steadily approaching, Hillary announced her decision to run for the US Senate as a representative of New York. Hillary endured a great deal of heat from the media during her campaign, but was formally nominated as the US Senate candidate from New York at the state Democratic convention in May 2001; Hillary Clinton became the newest Senator from New York on January 3, 2001. In the Senate, Hillary has tried to "bridge the partisan divide by bringing Republicans and Democrats together whenever [she] could in issues ranging from homeland security to education."13
In writing her autobiography, Hillary Rodham Clinton's goal was to share her story, revealing to the public how she "experienced those eight years as First Lady and the wife of a President. Some may ask how [she] could write an accurate account of events, people and places that are so reason and of which [she is] still a part. [She] has done [her] best to convey [her] observations, thoughts and feelings as [she] experienced them."14 Living History was Hillary's opportunity to explain the personal challenges she has faced. The Clinton administration, however effective in political issues, was tainted by numerous scandals. Clinton used her autobiography as a means to clarify and correct rumors that were fed by the media. Clinton also used the opportunity to appeal to the American public, extracting their sympathy and endearing herself to them.
Although Living History gives an important historical account of the journey of Hillary Clinton, it is not entirely accurate. Since Living History is an autobiographical account, Clinton's own prejudices, motives, and biases have to be taken into account. Clinton says in her introduction that her book is "not meant to be a comprehensive history," but rather conveys her own personal thoughts and feelings.15 When reading Living History, it is important to remember that Clinton is a candidate in the 2008 Presidential Election. Keeping this in mind, her sugarcoated words must be carefully sifted through for truth verses her sugarcoated version of the story. With her political career on the line, Clinton would not want to admit to any wrongdoing on her part during her Bill's term of office. Clinton's deep-rooted Democratic beliefs must also be taken into account. Throughout the entire memoir, Clinton portrays the Republicans as nasty and cruel and the Democrats as the victims. While some of her political views about Republicans may be valid, the opposite side is not given the credit it deserves. And the negatives of the Democrat Party are shied away from. Clinton's memoir does, however, clearly express the challenges that come with being in the spotlight of the media. And even more so, Clinton explains an almost revolutionary time in America's history. The controversy between the Republican Party and the Democrat Party heightened during the Clinton Administration and Clinton accounts for the Democrat perspective during the hectic transformation of American society.
Because Hillary Clinton is such a controversial figure in American society, it is natural for her autobiography to receive a great deal of criticism along with admiration. Sarah Bradford, a historian and biographer, dismisses Clinton's autobiography as "so sanitized that it hardly counts as history."16 Claiming that Clinton's careful choice of words is nothing but a campaign stunt for her predicted entry into the 2008 presidential campaign, Bradford declares Clinton's autobiography to be her "ego-trip" in which "we are asked to celebrate" her achievements."17 Jerome Short and Colleen Shogan, both political science professors, take a much less harsh approach to Clinton's memoir. They commend her book as showing how Clinton has "learned from her past political mistakes and has attempted to correct them."18 No matter which side of the political spectrum one considers himself apart of, both Clinton's flaws and strengths can be seen in her memoir if read with a critical eye. Living History is both strong in the fact that it reveals the transformation of American society under a Democrat and weak in that it is from the biased view of a Democrat.
Hillary Rodham Clinton considers the period between the 1970s and the new millennium a time of drastic change in American history. Clinton's parents were born in a "generation who believed in the endless possibilities of America and whose values were rooted in the experience of living through the Great Depression. They believed in hard work, not entitlement; self-reliance, not self-indulgance."19 Strong student activism in the 1960s spurred Clinton to challenge previously accepted values, practices, and ideals. Once Clinton delivered the commencement address at Wellesley, she was launched into an era of political reform. Women's rights, welfare and health care reform, racial equality, and social justice were all at the forefront of politics. Clinton took an active role in her husband's administration, leading the way for change in America.
The period from the Seventies through 2000 led way to significant changes in American history. Dominated by conservatives, the election of Bill Clinton to office opened the door for the reshaping of American economics. As foreign relations improved, this period grew into a time of unprecedented growth in America. Living History records this momentous period in history from the firsthand view of an insider. Clinton was a "lightning rod for political and ideological battles waged over America's future and a magnet for feelings, good and bad, about women's choices and roles."20 In a point in history when the role of women was being redefined, Clinton was both an advocate of strong women and an example of one.
Clinton's Living History is a compelling account that gives a strong argument for Democratic ideals and champions the idea of social equality. While the content many not be entirely accurate, the ideals and feelings during a tumultuous time in American history are clearly portrayed. She worked "to fulfill [her] responsibility as a citizen by working to extend to others the unique opportunities and freedoms that should come to every American."21 Hillary Clinton will forever be remembered for her strong mind and willingness to speak out for her beliefs.
Endnotes
1. Clinton, Hillary R. Living History. 1230 Avenue of the Americas: Simon & Schuster, 2003. xv.
2. Clinton, Hillary R. 11.
3. Clinton, Hillary R. 31.
4. Clinton, Hillary R. 41.
5. Clinton, Hillary R. 119.
6. Clinton, Hillary R. 141.
7. Clinton, Hillary R. 193.
8. Clinton, Hillary R. 230.
9. Clinton, Hillary R. 257.
10. Clinton, Hillary R. 290.
11. Clinton, Hillary R. 380.
12. Clinton, Hillary R. 410.
13. Clinton, Hillary R. 532.
14. Clinton, Hillary R. xv.
15. Clinton, Hillary R. xv.
16. Bradford, Sarah. ˇ°Standing By Herself. (Living History)(Book Review).ˇ± Spectator 292.9124 (June 21, 2003): 51(2). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomas Gale. UC Irvine. 3 June 2007.
17. Bradford, Sarah 2.
18. Short, Jerome, and Colleen Shogan. ˇ°Living History. (Book Review).ˇ± White House Studies 4.1 (Wntr 2004): 111(3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomas Gale. UC Irvine. 3 June 2007.
19. Clinton, Hillary R. 2.
20. Clinton, Hillary R. xv.
21. Clinton, Hillary R. 532.
| |
