HRC's very important litmus test for SCOTUS nominees

By Richard Barry

Let's be honest, many Democrats who place themselves on the left flank of the party are somewhat uneasy about supporting Hillary Clinton. These people, me among them, should understand though that she is what mainstream progressivism looks like in America, as is Barack Obama, which is to say okay on social policy, too hawkish on foreign policy, and too close to Wall Street and big money.

Still, it is good see Mrs. Clinton take a strong position in electoral finance reform.

Hillary Clinton told a group of her top fundraisers Thursday that if she is elected president, her nominees to the Supreme Court will have to share her belief that the court's 2010 Citizens United decision must be overturned, according to people who heard her remarks.

Clinton's emphatic opposition to the ruling, which allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited sums on independent political activity, garnered the strongest applause of the afternoon from the more than 200 party financiers gathered in Brooklyn for a closed-door briefing from the Democratic candidate and her senior aides, according to some of those present.

"She got major applause when she said would not name anybody to the Supreme Court unless she has assurances that they would overturn" the decision, said one attendee, who, like others, requested anonymity to describe the private session.

Citizens United has been one of the worst things to happen to democracy in America in recent memory. Very pleased Mrs. Clinton has taken a strong position on its repeal.

I will be happy to see Hillary Clinton elected president in part, though not exclusively,  because the alternative is unthinkable. This latest move makes me that much more comfortable with my hope for her success.

Hey, in politics you never get it all.