Clinton Stresses Government Competency

Photo is: ©Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos.com

Standing in front of a large blue banner that read "Making Government Work For You," Hillary Clinton proposed a comprehensive 10-point plan to reform government. The plan included banning government officials from lobbying the administration, strengthening whistleblower protections, creating a public service academy and cutting 500,000 government contractors. Speaking before a crowd of 200 students, professors and supporters, at St. Anselm College, the New York Senator stressed that "government must lead by example" and a Hillary Clinton administration would "restore competency" in the federal government.

Senator Clinton cited the Bush Administrations "incompetency" as the reason for the failures of Hurricane Katrina and the chaos in Iraq. Mrs. Clinton argued that the Bush Administration favors "friends and supporters" over qualified public servants.

Whether or not this issue will gain traction remains to be seen. However, Jennifer Donahue, Senior Advisor for Political Affairs to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, believes the issue will "resonate among Granite State voters." Donahue also said the issue will allow Senator Clinton to attack President Bush through "a clever tactic, under the umbrella of transparency."

After, the speech Clinton continues her New Hampshire tour with town hall forums entitled "Conversations with Hillary." This will make Senator Clinton's fifth trip to the state.