Why I’m Ready for Hillary

After much speculation and encouragement from supporters throughout the country, Hillary Clinton officially entered the 2016 Presidential race on Sunday, April 12. In stark contrast to the glitzy announcements of her GOP counterpoints, Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul, Clinton’s down-to-earth launch highlighted her commitment to championing the causes of everyday Americans. And despite her near universal name recognition, and long career in public service, Hillary Clinton is not taking anything for granted, vowing to earn the votes of Americans through a people-centered campaign. Born and raised in New York, I was proud to call Hillary Clinton my senator and I am even more thrilled with the prospect of calling her President.

So why am I ready for Hillary?

Simply put, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate to keep our country moving forward. As a tireless advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable populations, Clinton is best equipped to pick up right where President Obama leaves off, ensuring our economy continues to grow and people across the United States will not simply survive, but thrive. Her hiring of Gary Gensler, a Wall Street reformer, shows Clinton is not shying away from a passionately populist tone. More so, she has highlighted the need for campaign finance reform, declaring during her recent trip to Iowa, “[we] need to fix our dysfunctional political system and get unaccountable money out of it once and for all – even if that takes a constitutional amendment.” This is the type of leader we need in the White House.

While prospective Republican candidates debate whether or not they would attend a same-sex wedding, Hillary Clinton is a strong advocate for the full equality of LGBTQ Americans. Her recent campaign launch video featured two same-sex couples and she continued to urge the Supreme Court to uphold same-sex marriage nationwide.

With the myriad challenges facing our country, Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who is tackling substantive issues. Instead of charting out their hopes and dreams for our country, and how they are best equipped to serve all Americans, the Republican candidates spend most of their time attacking Hillary. Clinton summed up this sentiment perfectly during a stop in New Hampshire: “I think it’s worth noting that Republicans seem to be talking only about me. I don’t know what they’d talk about if I weren’t in the race.”

No candidate, despite how closely they may align with one’s personal opinions, is perfect. I do not share all of Clinton’s views and I think the Democratic party, and our country can benefit from a vibrant primary. However, none of this changes my belief that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person to lead our country at this crucial juncture in our history. I am ready for Hillary. I hope you are, too.

Kyle Cristofalo received his Master of Divinity from Emory University where he concentrated in Justice, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Transformation. Kyle most recently served as a fellow at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. working primarily on issues relating to Israel/Palestine, as well as immigration.