Mitch Perry
Speaking at a middle school gym on the outskirts of Manchester, Hillary Clinton delivered a forceful speech to New Hampshire voters six days before a primary election that polls show she is trailing.
The former first lady, secretary of state and New York senator held the event just hours before she was to engage in a one-on-one town hall nationally televised encounter with Bernie Sanders.
Sanders tough stance on Wall Street has been a vital part of his success in the campaign, but Clinton said Wednesday night that she won’t take a back seat to the Vermont senator when it comes to how tough a president can be on financial institutions.
Clinton said she would impose a 30 percent tax on people who make a million dollars, and a “fair share surcharge” on people who make five million dollars or more. “These are the people who use the tax advice, the accountants, the lobbyists who avoid paying taxes.”
She said there would be surcharges on all types of ways that the rich get away from paying what they owe.
She called out by name Johnson Controls, the Milwaukee-based manufacturing company that last week that they would merge with Tyco so they can move their operations to Tyco’s base in Ireland, a tax move called inversion that will save them an estimated
“I call it perversion,” Clinton said with disdain. “I’m going after it. I’m going to prevent this from happening, we are going to make them pay a price, and maybe even persuade them” to stay. Clinton was angry because the company’s president personally begged Congress for the federal bailout for the auto industry years ago.
She gave praise to Sanders for his “passion” for financial issues, but said she would go beyond what he has demanded.
She said she was the only candidate who has a plan to go after other institutions other than the big banks, who are part of the financial system and shadow banking system. “I am the only one who has a plan to go after the problems that we still have to address,” she said, noting that her program has received plaudits from people like New York Times columnist Paul Krugman and former Congressman Barney Frank (Frank actually helped draft that plan).
Clinton also brought out the distinction between taxes. Sanders has called for higher taxes on the middle class to pay for a Medicare for all health care system that he says would save citizens financially.
Clinton took the other side. “I am the only candidate on either side in this race that has said I will raise your incomes, not your taxes.”
The Clinton campaign has advanced the theory that she is a clear underdog in the race for New Hampshire, saying that the Vermont-based Sanders has a near-home field advantage. However, she said she had dismissed suggestions by supporters that she bypass the state for upcoming primary races.
“Are you kidding me?” she said in response. “This state has been so good to me and my family,” eliciting a huge cheer from the partisan crowd.
Sanders has dismissed the home-court advantage, saying Clinton proved her strength in the Granite State by her victory over Barack Obama in 2008.
Clinton also took in some Republican bashing, specifically on their refusal to acknowledge the dangers of climate change.
“When they’re asked, they basically say the same thing — ‘I don’t know, I’m a scientist,'” she said. “I’ve been trying to send them some friendly advice. Go talk to a scientist. Learn about climate change.” She said she’s concluded that, in fact, they’re not ill-informed, but dancing to the music of the Koch Brothers.
Clinton and Sanders announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to the first new debate will take place in New Hampshire on Thursday. The campaigns have also agreed to a March debate in Flint, Michigan, with two more debates in April and May.
