Hillary Clinton Lists 2016 Loss Among 'Hard Times' for Democratic Voters
Former Secretary of State also cited 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and COVID-19 as difficult periods for Americans.
Hillary Clinton has included her 2016 presidential election loss among a series of "hard times" experienced by Americans over the past 25 years, suggesting these events contribute to disillusionment among Democratic voters.
Speaking at a Nebraska Democrats event on Saturday, Clinton addressed concerns about voters feeling their ballots do not matter. She posited that such feelings stem from a sense of disconnection from elected officials and a cumulative experience of national difficulties.
"You could kind of understand that, for people who feel like they've had a series of hard times," Clinton said. She listed "New York on 9/11," the "financial crisis of 2008," her own "election in 2016 that, you know, raised a lot of questions," and the COVID-19 pandemic as significant traumas and crises. "So if you're somebody who is saying, does it really matter that I vote because I'm not sure I matter to the people that I'm asked to vote for?" she added.
Clinton urged Democrats to "demonstrate as clearly as possible and then repeat over and over again, you do matter, and we're going to do everything we can to try to help you have the life you deserve to have." She stressed the importance of demonstrating that political majorities produce tangible results that improve Americans' lives.
During the event, Clinton also criticized former President Donald Trump, suggesting his populist appeal has waned. "I think that's kind of worn out," she said of his communication style. "I think what originally seemed like, 'Oh, he's a different kind of leader. He says what he thinks.' All of that, I think that is beginning to finally sink through to people like, 'Wait a minute, am I better off? Has my life improved?"
On a different occasion, Clinton made her first endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate for the 2026 midterm elections, backing Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. "Minnesota, you have an opportunity to select an extraordinary person and public servant as your next U.S. senator. Please take it!" Clinton posted on the social media platform Bluesky.
When asked what she would have done differently in her political career, Clinton stated, "I would have not just won the popular vote but the Electoral College." She previously called the Electoral College an "abomination" in a trailer for a Netflix docuseries, referencing her 2016 loss where she won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College to Trump.