Commentary: Hillary Clinton, commander in chief

By Paul McHale

I left Congress almost 18 years ago. It was a rough departure.

For six years, I had consistently supported the policies of President Bill Clinton. I still remember the bitter taunts thrown at Rep. Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky on the floor of the House as she cast a courageous vote in support of Clinton's 1993 budget. Not a single Republican voted for that budget - and in the 1994 congressional election, every incumbent Democrat was accused of casting the "deciding vote." I was re-elected by 17 votes. Marjorie lost.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Gov. John Kasich repeatedly claimed that in the 1990s, as chairman of the House Budget Committee, he had balanced the federal budget. He didn't. Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky did.

I was proud to support the policies of President Clinton. In doing so, my voting record reflected agreement, not just party loyalty. To this day, Clinton and former Defense Secretary Bob Gates remain the two brightest people I ever met in public office. Both men are whip-smart.

When Clinton came into office following a period of economic stagnation and unprecedented national debt, his economic policies managed to fuse a commitment to social justice and a faith in private-sector economic growth. The latter helped pay for the former.

And so it was for me a shattering disappointment when I concluded that Clinton had lied under oath in a federal civil rights suit - and it was with a sense of duty, not malice, that I voted for his impeachment. Weeks later, I left Congress.

In the intervening years, Hillary Clinton has gone on to a distinguished career as both a U.S. senator and secretary of state. She built a bipartisan reputation in the Senate as a hardworking, pragmatic legislator. As assistant secretary of defense, I once briefed her on the air defense of New York City. The briefing was at her request. There were no TV cameras. There was no media coverage of what was said. Just a senator diligently doing her job. I was impressed.

As we approach the November election, it's become clear to me that Hillary Clinton is fully qualified to serve as president of the United States. And that Donald Trump is not.

Trump's bombastic rhetoric, racist immigration policies, enthusiastic endorsement of torture, base criticism of our own POWs, embrace of Brexit, and cavalier treatment of our international allies presage a Trump presidency primed to come off the rails. He is both repugnant and dangerous. With the possible exception of Aaron Burr, never has a person so unfit come so close to the presidency.

I've been in the Situation Room with the president of the United States. In an age of nuclear weapons, the burden carried by our commander in chief is profound. It's a very personal, very sobering responsibility. Trump doesn't realize that when it comes to the national security of the United States, you can't just declare bankruptcy and walk away from your creditors.

I'm not blind to the legitimate criticisms of Hillary Clinton's record. Her use of a private email server as secretary of state was irresponsible. Her Benghazi testimony displayed inappropriate temper and frustration. And as noted by Sen. Bernie Sanders during the primaries, her pursuit of personal wealth following her husband's presidency is at odds with the ideal of Harry Truman, who steadfastly refused to profit from public office. Clinton's speeches weren't worth nearly what Wall Street paid her.

It's undeniable that Clinton has allowed herself to drift a long way from the life experience of hardworking men and women who live in places like Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and Scranton. But I remain hopeful that as president, she will return to her roots - a visceral, unscripted, and genuine commitment to social justice, environmental protection, women's rights, individual privacy, affordable education, and realistic resourcing of our nation's security.

Remaining hopeful. I can say that about Hillary Clinton. I can't say that about Donald Trump.

In November, I'll be with her.

Paul McHale is a former member of Congress (1993-99), former assistant secretary of defense (2003-09), and retired Marine colonel with 33 years of active and reserve service. mchale@civsup.com