Hillary Clinton on Change and Realism in American Politics

💡Clinton considered proposing a universal basic income in America during her campaign, inspired by Alaska's model of distributing oil and gas revenues to its residents.

🔮Clinton reflects on the power of big, galvanizing ideas and the role of policy in inspiring voters during a campaign.

🗣️Clinton acknowledges the challenge of answering detailed policy questions, especially when compared to candidates making big claims without providing specifics.

📺Clinton criticizes the media for not adequately covering policy issues during the 2016 election, leading to a lack of understanding among voters.

🌍Clinton describes her pragmatic approach to change, recognizing the difficulty of implementing large-scale reforms and the importance of understanding the political landscape.

Did Clinton consider proposing a universal basic income during her campaign?

—Yes, Clinton looked at the idea of a universal basic income and was particularly interested in Alaska's model of distributing oil and gas revenues to its residents.

What role does policy play in a campaign, according to Clinton?

—Clinton believes that policy should inspire voters during a campaign, and the role of detailed policy discussions should be in the legislative process.

Why does Clinton criticize the media's coverage of policy issues during the 2016 election?

—Clinton believes that the media's focus on sensationalism and entertainment led to a lack of coverage and understanding of important policy issues.

How does Clinton approach enacting change within the American political system?

—Clinton takes a pragmatic approach to change, understanding the constraints and forces working against progressive reforms while still advocating for meaningful progress.

What challenges did Clinton face in presenting her policy proposals and ideas?

—Clinton faced challenges in competing against candidates making big claims without providing specific details and in gaining media coverage for her policy proposals.

00:04Ezra Klein welcomes Hillary Clinton and thanks her for joining the conversation.

00:07Klein asks about Clinton's consideration of a universal basic income and why it didn't make it into her campaign.

00:30Clinton discusses her interest in universal basic income and the Alaska for America model.

07:48Klein asks about the role of policy and inspiration in a campaign, citing Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump as examples.

11:12Clinton reflects on the difficulty of balancing realism and inspiring change in a campaign, while acknowledging the media's influence.

13:33Klein explores Clinton's shift towards pragmatism in her approach to change and her observations of American political history.

16:34Clinton discusses the challenges of being too realistic in political messaging and the media's role in shaping campaign coverage.

19:06Klein asks Clinton about the current debate within the Democratic Party on healthcare and the proposal for single-payer.

18:49Clinton emphasizes the importance of universal healthcare coverage, affordable costs, and the need to challenge the influence of pharmaceutical companies.