Hillary Clinton has released her first New York ad in anticipation of the April 19 primary. The 30-second spot features a diverse array of people, presumably New Yorkers, as Clinton narrates:
New York. 20 million people strong. No, we don’t all look the same. We don’t all sound the same either. But when we pull together we do the biggest things in the world. So when some say we can solve America’s problems by building walls, banning people based on their religion and turning against each other, well, this is New York, and we know better.
While the ad is as stylish as a Benetton commercial, it is problematic for several reasons.
1. Bernie Sanders, her main competition, isn’t the focus.
The ad hones in on Donald Trump’s bigotry and violent rallies. But New York is a closed primary state and hasn’t voted for a Republican candidate in a presidential election in over 30 years.
2. Trump had a small hand in the rebuilding of the Twin Towers.
As a first-term senator, Clinton was instrumental in securing $21 billion in funding for the World Trade Center site's redevelopment after 9/11. On the other hand, Donald Trump “became the most prominent backer of a plan to rebuild Manhattan's World Trade Center,” reported Business Insider. Donald Trump’s initial plan, to rebuild the towers exactly the same but with stronger material, was largely nixed, with the exception of the 9/11 Memorial.
Still, for an attack ad on Trump, a positive framing of any real estate ventures he was involved in is pretty counter-productive.
3. Clinton’s 9/11 experiences that could win voters are brushed over.
As a first-term New York senator, Hillary Clinton investigated the health issues faced by 9/11 first responders who thanked her for the passage of the health care legislation during a 2004 ceremony. Instead of featuring footage of events like this, the only shot of Hillary in the ad shows her meeting bodega customers.
4. Clinton’s lauded New York endorsements don’t receive the slightest mention.
Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo, who believes wholeheartedly that “Clinton, ‘an experienced progressive,’ would win in the election against Donald Trump.”
5. Clinton was New York’s first female senator.
For a campaign that has largely revolved around a female presidency being a benchmark of equality, this detail should have been included in her first New York ad.
Watch Hillary Clinton's first New York ad:
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