A Conversation with Secretary Hillary Clinton

As the third speaker featured in the series America’s Economic Future, co-sponsored by the Tuck School of Business and the Rockefeller Center, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at Dartmouth on November 10, 2015. Held in Spaulding Auditorium, the event hosted over a thousand Dartmouth students and Upper Valley residents, spilling over into overflow seating in Alumni Hall.

Hillary Clinton has served as Secretary of State, Senator from New York, First Lady of the United States, First Lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, activist, and volunteer. During the event, Clinton discussed America’s economic status in the past seven years, beginning with when President Obama took office amidst the work economic crisis since the Great Depression. She began by emphasizing how poor conditions used to be, when America was losing over 800,000 jobs a month, and then turned the discussion toward a focus on America’s economic future.

“That’s especially relevant to Tuck students,” said Clinton. “You’re not just going to live in that future. You are going to help shape it.”

The event was structured in two parts, beginning with a short speech by Clinton and ending with a conversation-style discussion between Clinton and Governor of the State of New Hampshire, John Lynch. After Governor Lynch spoke with Hillary, the floor was open to questions from the audience. Lynch specifically encouraged students to ask questions. Several inquiries revolved around topics such as the strategies of other primary candidates, particularly that of Donald Trump.

“I have been quite surprised by some of what he has said as a presidential candidate,” said Clinton. “But, I hope to be the nominee, and I will run against anyone who they nominate. If it’s him, put on your seatbelts – that’s all I have to say.”

-Written by Nikita Bakhru ‘17, Rockefeller Center Student Program Assistant for Communications and Student Outreach