By Christopher Coffey
Republican Political Consultant

Like some current and former U.S. Senators (Obama, Biden & Daschle), Hillary Clinton appears to be in line for a promotion.

New Yorkers should rejoice, because it means she will no longer be the steward of the Upstate New York economy.

AP photo

When Senator Clinton ran for Senate in 2000, she promised economic revitalization for New Yorkers living north of New York City and its suburbs.  She even went so far as to promise 200,000 new jobs for the region. New Yorkers believed her and gave her a chance.

Obviously, she did not fulfill her pledge to New Yorkers. Eight years later, and Hillary Clinton still hasn’t created 200,000 jobs.

Eight years later, and Hillary Clinton still hasn’t created 200,000 jobs.  In fact, Upstate New York has lost 20,000 private sector jobs while manufacturing jobs, once the life-blood of Upstate, have declined by 24%.*  Obviously, she did not fulfill her pledge to New Yorkers.

If anything, Senator Clinton’s failed promises are emblematic of today’s political culture. Not only do we tolerate falsehoods and failed promises, we expect them:  ”They all do it,” or “they are all liars,” are the responses one hears if one attempts to hold politicians accountable.

It is difficult to discern exactly what she has done since taking office, other than run for higher office, but it is clear she lacks the competence or the political will to energize the New York economy.

Even President-elect Obama has started to hedge on his promises of change. The night he secured the Presidency, Obama alerted people that he “may not get there in one year or even in one term.”

Obama is charismatic, which will make it doubly difficult to hold him accountable, but the more we neglect to hold our leaders so, the more they will “fail up” to higher office and more power.

As for Senator Clinton, it is difficult to discern exactly what she has done since taking office, other than run for higher office, but it is clear she lacks the competence or the political will to energize the New York economy. New Yorkers should be pleased that Senator Clinton will be kicked upstairs, especially not to any position relating to job creation or economic revitalization.

Author’s Note: Calculations based on employment figures from the Public Policy Institute of New York State, Inc., “Monthly Economic Snapshot of Upstate New York as of September 2008.” For more on this topic, click here.

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