Hillary Clinton is vulnerable, but also lucky.
That was the sense at a two-day meeting of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the first time Clinton’s potential rivals for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination appeared before the same audience. Clinton, who was addressing a women’s empowerment event at the United Nations on Tuesday, did not attend.
Vulnerable, because she’s too tied to the past and too cozy with corporate interests, said many of the firefighters. Also, there’s the stories about her use of private emails and her foundation’s acceptance of foreign money.
Lucky, because the Democratic alternative who wowed them, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, isn’t interested in a challenge.
Clinton retains strong connections with the politically active firefighters. They fondly remember her efforts, as a senator from New York, to help first responders immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack, and they regard her as a strong supporter of organized labor.
But damaging her presidential prospects are reports about her use of a private email server to conduct government business while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. Also dogging Clinton are the millions of dollars donors in foreign nations gave to the Clinton family foundation in recent years.
“This lack of transparency is hurting her,” said Kevin Smith, an Oklahoma City firefighter.
“Clinton’s been in the system too long, and these controversies seem like typical Clinton maneuvers,” said David Van Son, a Great Falls, Mont., firefighter.
The firefighters are warming to possible alternatives. They responded warmly to the four Democrats – Warren, Vice President Joe Biden, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb – as well as Sen. Bernard Sanders, a Vermont independent, who spoke at the meeting.
O’Malley got a standing ovation Tuesday. Among the biggest applause lines was his swipe at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who was invited but did not attend. Walker was unpopular here because of his ongoing battles with public employee unions.
“In Wisconsin, right-wing ideologues just took action to wipe out unions in their state,” O’Malley said.
Webb and Sanders offered messages of strong support for middle-class workers and unions. But Warren was the clear favorite.
“Why is there no money to make our country work?” she asked to cheers. “I’ll tell you why. It’s because the game is rigged. It’s because oil companies have great lobbyists.” She blasted away at NASCAR owners, thoroughbred breeders and big banks.
“They won’t give up their special perks,” she insisted. “The only thing that will make a real difference is if we work together.”
After she spoke, Warren gave about 40 Massachusetts firefighters a fiery pep talk at a nearby hall. “I’ve got your back,” she said, almost shouting, “and I’ll do everything I can for you.”
Warren intrigued firefighters from around the country. “She has a message that resonates,” said Tom Brewer, a Charlotte, N.C., firefighter and president of the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina. Joseph Fender, a Cheyenne, Wyo., firefighter, called her “fresh and sincere.”
Biden was a strong candidate for the union endorsement when he ran in 2007, but this time he sparked little chatter. He got a decent ovation, but his recent behavior caused some concern. Biden last month was criticized for getting too close to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s wife as Carter was being sworn in.
Biden spent about one-third of his half-hour talk to the firefighters reminding everyone how long he had been on their side. He was part favorite uncle, part political sage.
As you look at candidates, Biden said, “Ask them whether they think you’re a drag on the community, whether you’re an obstacle to overcome.”
Good speech, said Oklahoma’s Smith, but not good enough. “I love Joe to death,” he said. “But Joe has hurt himself too much.”
The firefighters union historically endorses Democrats for president. In some years, its endorsement plays a crucial role. In 2004, it was credited for giving John Kerry an important boost for the Democratic nomination.
In the 2008 election cycle, though, it endorsed Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut over fellow Democrats Clinton and Biden. Dodd won less than 1 percent in the Iowa caucus, the first presidential voting, and dropped out that night.
Harold Schaitberger, union president, said all options are possible this time. The union has good relations with some Republicans, notably former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. An estimated 44 percent of its members are Republicans and 42 percent are Democrats.