Hillary Clinton said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the recent pseudo-endorsement from billionaire co-creator of the Kochtopus, Charles Koch. The former First Lady and Secretary of State tweeted Sunday:
“Not interested in endorsements from people who deny climate science and try to make it harder for people to vote.”
Not interested in endorsements from people who deny climate science and try to make it harder for people to vote. https://t.co/TWN4zYhMBh
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 24, 2016
Her response follows Koch’s appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” when the influential economic powerhouse said he might consider voting for Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, rather than a Republican.
“It’s possible,” Koch said. “It’s possible.”
Of course, he added:
“We would have to believe her actions would be quite different from her rhetoric, let me put it that way.”
Koch went on to say that he also believed former President Bill Clinton was, “in some ways,” a stronger president than George W. Bush.
“In other ways, I mean he wasn’t an exemplar. But as far as the growth of government, the increase in spending, it was 2.5 times under Bush than it was under Clinton.”
Of course, saying one president is better than another president is really an empty statement, as the meaning and legitimacy behind such a statement has everything to do with the agenda and criteria assessing the presidents for any number of reasons, or on any number of issues, and none of that is provided by Koch, regarding Hillary Clinton, in the ABC interview—but it sure sounds good, er… terrible, depending on your perspective and political convictions. Oone could even look at Koch’s statement as a publicly offered bribe, too–tow the line, Clinton, and you may just get yourself some of that Koch money to knock that pesky Bernie Sanders right out of the race!
As for why Koch would venture stating he might vote for Clinton under the right conditions in the first place, the answer became clearer when he began bashing Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s policies with the passion of a vigorous golf clap. When approached to join the “Never Trump” coalition, Koch said he’d rather work on “improving the country.”
“What we’re trying to do is build alliances to make the country better. Like we have one with the White House on criminal justice reform. You do it by trying to find areas where you can work with everybody.”
Public bribe for not, Clinton says, “Not interested…” Chuck can throw his Kochtopus on the hockey rink floor for all she cares. Let’s just hope her actions will reflect her rhetoric.
Featured image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr, available under Creative Commons license.