Then And Now: Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Campaign Announcement vs. 2008
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Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Much has changed since Hillary Clinton last entered a presidential field.
While she chose the same format — a pre-recorded video — to announce the start of her campaign on Sunday just as she did in Jan. 2007, her message has changed.
Here’s a look at the differences between Clinton’s announcement pitches in 2007:
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And Sunday:
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The Last Administration
What She Said in 2007: “You know, after six years of George Bush, it is time to renew the promise of America.”
What She Said Sunday: “Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times, but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top.”
As a Democrat hoping to succeed a Democrat in the Oval Office, Clinton will be playing more defense than offense when it comes to President Obama’s record. But history is not on her side: The White House has stayed in the same party after a two-term president only once since 1951 — the year term limits were established for the office.
Foreign Policy
What She Said in 2007: “Let’s talk about how to bring the right end to the war in Iraq and restore respect for America around the world.”
What She Said Sunday: Nothing
Clinton ran on ending the Iraq War and ended up losing the Democratic primary to Barack Obama, who pummeled then-Sen. Clinton for her initial support for it. In 2015, with America again leading a coalition in the Middle East — this time, against ISIS — former Secretary of State Clinton will likely run on a more hawkish line, even if her initial campaign roll out remains focused on domestic policy.
Voter Outreach
What She Said in 2007: “So let’s talk. Let’s chat. Let’s start a dialogue about your ideas and mine…With a little help from modern technology, I’ll be holding live online video chats this week, starting Monday.”
What She Said Sunday: “So I’m hitting the road to earn your vote. Because it’s your time, and I’m hoping you’ll join me on this journey.”
In the proto-social era of 2007, reaching voters over “online video chats” was a new concept. Now, with the 24/7 news cycle and social media, Clinton 2.0 is reverting to face-to-face retail politics: In her upcoming tour of the early voting states, she’s expected to hold small, intimate meetings with voters to introduce her candidacy, before the official campaign kickoff in May.
Domestic Agenda
What She Said in 2007: “Let’s talk about … how to end the deficits that threaten Social Security and Medicare. And let’s definitely talk about how every American can have quality affordable health care.”
What She Said Sunday: “Everyday Americans need a champion — and I want to be that champion. So you can do more than just get by. You can get ahead — and stay ahead.”
Some things never change. Despite the implementation of Obamacare, the debate between Republicans and Democrats rages on. And both parties are still debating strategies to overhaul the country’s entitlement programs for the next generation of Americans. The economy took center stage in the 2008 general election with the recession, and Clinton plans to be a “champion” for middle class Americans.
Delivery
What She Did in 2007: Clinton filmed alone on her couch in her Washington, DC home.
What She Did Sunday: Clinton appeared in the last :45 seconds of her two-minute-plus campaign announcement video, after a mix of Americans — young, old, black, white, gay, straight — described their economic situations.
While Clinton took center stage in her 2007 video, she could be considered a featured player in the new announcement, secondary to the other speakers, their stories, and the video’s economic message.
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