Hillary Clinton: Ready to Lead on Day One

By Maureen E. Feeney

This October, I had the rare privilege of speaking before a crowd of several thousand at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall about my candidate for president, Hillary Clinton. I was asked to answer a simple question: Why am I supporting Hillary for president? As I began to talk about her experience and leadership on issues that effect working families and children, her proposals for truly universal healthcare and her goal of restoring our nation’s standing in the world, I was struck by one reason in particular:

“I am not voting for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman,” I said. “I am voting for Hillary Clinton because of the woman she is.”

It makes me proud as a woman in elected office to have the opportunity to elect the first woman president of the United States, just as the support and encouragement of women from all generations has inspired me as president of the Boston City Council. But beyond the opportunity to make history, I am supporting Hillary Clinton for President because I believe she is uniquely qualified to bring a much needed change in leadership to Washington.

For thirty-five years, Hillary has been an agent of change. From working in the streets of New Bedford to improve children’s access to education, to leading the nation-wide battle to bring affordable quality healthcare to all Americans, Hillary has, time and again, proven her strength as a voice for the voiceless. Her voice is needed now more than ever.

Like many of you, I believe strongly that it is time for a change in Washington. I also believe that you don’t make change just by hoping for it, you make change by working hard for it. Hillary Clinton has been tested and has proven her ability to make positive changes that will improve the quality of life for hard working men and women.

In international affairs, we need to restore America’s standing in the world. We have seen the shortcomings of a “go it alone” strategy and we need a return to strong international diplomacy. Hillary is the candidate who will, within her first days in office, offer a plan to bring our troops home safely from Iraq.

Our economy is in trouble. We need a leader like Hillary who, from day one, understands the challenges faced by hard working men and women and who will ensure that any economic stimulus benefits not just the top 1% of our economy, but the middle class as well.

In healthcare, Hillary has presented a plan to ensure quality affordable healthcare that is truly universal. In education, Hillary has proposed ending the unfunded mandate of No Child Left Behind and implementing universal pre-K, something that we in Boston know will better prepare our nation’s children for a quality education.

But perhaps more than anything, I know that Hillary Clinton will not forget our nation’s cities. I remember a time under President Bill Clinton, when our streets were safer and better protected because federal dollars were spent were they were needed—in our cities. Mayor Menino and Commissioner Davis have made great strides with a return to community policing, but they cannot do it alone. They need a partner in Washington like Hillary Clinton to ensure that Boston receives its fair share of federal funding.

In short, we need a president who is ready on day one to confront the many challenges that we face. Hillary Clinton will be that president. She has my support. I hope you will consider giving her yours. Please remember to vote on February 5th.

Maureen E. Feeney is president of the Boston City Council and has served Dorchester District Three as a Boston City Councillor since 1994.