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Liberals Press Hillary Clinton for Policy Specifics
They Want Her to Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline and Spell Out Her Positions on Immigration and Financial Regulations
By PETER NICHOLAS CONNECT
Updated May 21, 2014 7:41 p.m. ET
Liberal groups say Hillary Clinton is a blank slate when it comes to certain policies and are pressing her to side with them on the Keystone XL pipeline, deportations, financial regulation and other matters.
The push for Mrs. Clinton to flesh out her views comes as she has stepped up her public appearances ahead of a likely campaign for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. She has addressed college audiences in recent months, said goodbye to TV personality Barbara Walters on the set of the "The View," and spoken to policy groups, such as the American Jewish Committee.
At some of those events, Mrs. Clinton has moved to shore up her foreign policy stances—sounding tough notes on Iran and Russia. But she has dipped into policy debates selectively, and the liberal groups want more details on where she stands on a range of matters.
On Wednesday, a collection of 30 environmental groups sent Mrs. Clinton a letter asking her to oppose the Keystone XL project, which would carry oil from Canada's oil sands to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.
"I think she's been conveniently coy on Keystone. We'd like her to be much more definitively against the project," said Bill Snape, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, which signed the letter.
Mrs. Clinton didn't commit to a position when she was asked about the proposed pipeline during an appearance in Canada last March.
The issue is a tricky one for Democrats: It pits liberal donors and environmental activists who oppose the pipeline against other Democrats, many in conservative, energy-producing states, who support it.
Mrs. Clinton's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Adrienne Elrod, a spokesman for a group called "Correct the Record," which often defends Mrs. Clinton and other potential Democratic candidates against GOP attacks, said she "has spent her lifetime working to ensure basic fairness and equal rights in our communities."
Mrs. Clinton has said she won't announce whether she'll run for president until later this year. That timing may influence how far she goes in stating where she stands. Laying out positions on controversial issues at this point would potentially open her to attacks from Republicans and critics in her party.
Indeed, some people in her camp believe she already has been too outspoken in the pre-campaign phase of the 2016 election and would like to dial back her public speaking.
They Want Her to Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline and Spell Out Her Positions on Immigration and Financial Regulations
By PETER NICHOLAS CONNECT
Updated May 21, 2014 7:41 p.m. ET
Liberal groups say Hillary Clinton is a blank slate when it comes to certain policies and are pressing her to side with them on the Keystone XL pipeline, deportations, financial regulation and other matters.
The push for Mrs. Clinton to flesh out her views comes as she has stepped up her public appearances ahead of a likely campaign for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. She has addressed college audiences in recent months, said goodbye to TV personality Barbara Walters on the set of the "The View," and spoken to policy groups, such as the American Jewish Committee.
At some of those events, Mrs. Clinton has moved to shore up her foreign policy stances—sounding tough notes on Iran and Russia. But she has dipped into policy debates selectively, and the liberal groups want more details on where she stands on a range of matters.
On Wednesday, a collection of 30 environmental groups sent Mrs. Clinton a letter asking her to oppose the Keystone XL project, which would carry oil from Canada's oil sands to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.
"I think she's been conveniently coy on Keystone. We'd like her to be much more definitively against the project," said Bill Snape, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, which signed the letter.
Mrs. Clinton didn't commit to a position when she was asked about the proposed pipeline during an appearance in Canada last March.
The issue is a tricky one for Democrats: It pits liberal donors and environmental activists who oppose the pipeline against other Democrats, many in conservative, energy-producing states, who support it.
Mrs. Clinton's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Adrienne Elrod, a spokesman for a group called "Correct the Record," which often defends Mrs. Clinton and other potential Democratic candidates against GOP attacks, said she "has spent her lifetime working to ensure basic fairness and equal rights in our communities."
Mrs. Clinton has said she won't announce whether she'll run for president until later this year. That timing may influence how far she goes in stating where she stands. Laying out positions on controversial issues at this point would potentially open her to attacks from Republicans and critics in her party.
Indeed, some people in her camp believe she already has been too outspoken in the pre-campaign phase of the 2016 election and would like to dial back her public speaking.
WSJ