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Fairfield U. Professor Handicaps Clinton's Presidential Chances In New Book

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Hillary Clinton has to prove her administration would be tough on the status quo if she hopes to win the presidential election, according to a Fairfield University professor who has just penned a book on the Democratic nominee. 

Stratford resident and Fairfield University professor Sonya Huber has written a book on Hillary Clinton.

Stratford resident and Fairfield University professor Sonya Huber has written a book on Hillary Clinton.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“I think one of the core issues … is whether the government can really control institutional financial corruption,” said Sonya Huber, author of “The Evolution of Hillary Rodham Clinton” (Squint Books, 2016). “She’s been here and there on that.”

After watching the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Huber, an associate professor of English, said she was pleased with the hopeful tone of the early speakers. Initially a Bernie Sanders supporter, Huber said she appreciates the range of opinions being voiced and that delegates were free to protest.

“I thought it was sort of all over the place, but in a nice way,” said the Stratford resident.

Huber’s book — her fourth — chronicles both Clinton’s rise and political views, as well as her own journey from an unaffiliated voter-turned-Democrat to support Sanders in the primary to a Clinton backer.

“Sonya Huber has achieved the near-impossible; she managed to contextualize Hillary Clinton’s long political career with precision, clarity, and wit," wrote Shannon Drury, author of "The Radicle Housewife: Redefining Family Values for the 21st Century." "Examined herein are Hillary’s complicated relationships with her husband, the American public, Wall Street, feminism, Mother Teresa and even the author herself … you’ll find no better primer on this fascinating, polarizing woman."

While she admits she initially disapproved of Clinton based on some of the policies of the administration of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, Huber came to see her in a different light as she researched the book. Many of those who get to know Clinton on a personal level say they find they have had many misconceptions about her, Huber said.

“”We have such a long history with her,” she said. “And she has changed over time and gone through so many different positions. I began to see just how important it was to her to build up a shell around herself.”

Comparing this week's Democratic convention to the Republican convention last week is like comparing night and day, Huber said. 

“It’s hopeful, respectful, not demonizing various minorities in our society,” she said.

Huber predicts Clinton will have to show she’s committed to “flexible leadership,” truly incorporating progressive thinking into her platform, not just “making noise” about it.

“I think what Sanders has done is really helpful for democracy and the country,” she said.

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