Hillary Clinton suggests Democrats focus on ‘activist causes’ might cost them 2024 election

The former Secretary of State told Democrats that whatever does not help the party win the next US election ‘should not be a priority’
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US is on the precipice of losing democracy
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US is on the precipice of losing democracy
AFP via Getty Images
Miriam Burrell20 June 2022

Hillary Clinton has suggested Democrats the party could lose the next US election if it focuses on “activist causes”.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Ms Clinton is asked by Edward Luce about how the Democrats “seem to be going out of their way to lose elections by elevating activist causes, notably the transgender debate, which are relevant only to a small minory”.

Mr Luce wrote: “What sense does it make to depict JK Rowling as a fascist? To my surprise, Clinton shares the premise of my question”.

Ms Clinton - who lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump - responded: “We are standing on the precipice of losing our democracy, and everything that everybody else cares about then goes out the window.

“Look, the most important thing is to win the next election. The alternative is so frightening that whatever does not help you win should not be a priority.”

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been accused by some of transphobia for comments she has made on social media.

She has condemned Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s remarks that “trans women are women” and has supported calls for some spaces, such as domestic abuse shelters, to remain open to non-trans women only for safety reasons.

The writer claimed Labour could “no longer be counted on to defend women’s rights” in a series of tweets earlier this year.

JK Rowling has caused controversy over her transgender comments
PA Archive

Ms Clinton also spoke of her fears if Roe vs Wade is overturned and state legislation on abortion is changed to the Financial Times.

She said: “The level of insidious rulemaking to further oppress women almost knows no end.

“You look at this and how could you not but think that Margaret Atwood was a prophet? She’s not just a brilliant writer, she was a prophet.”

Ms Clinton said she expects US President Joe Biden to run again in the 2024 election, but she will not.

“It would be very disruptive to challenge that,” she told the Financial Times.

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