Hillary Clinton on flip-flop charge: 'I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive who likes to get things done'

Hillary Clinton rejects &quot;moderate&quot; label

(Image credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

published 14 October 2015

The first question for Hillary Clinton at Tuesday night's debate, from CNN's Anderson Cooper, was pretty brutal, and came after he rattled off her changing positions on several issues: "Will you say anything to get elected?" Clinton defended herself by saying that she is open to changing her opinion if the facts change, citing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Cooper then asked Clinton if she is a "moderate or a progressive," and Clinton didn't hesitate: "I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive who likes to get things done." That means working with Republicans, she added, but "I don't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to progressive experience and progressive commitment." Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.