'Progressive' Hillary Skips Forum With One of Nation's Largest Progressive Groups

Cortney O'Brien | November 24, 2015 7:55 PM

At the first 2016 presidential Democratic debate, frontrunner Hillary Clinton declared she was a "progressive who likes to get things done." It's something liberals on the fence needed to hear, considering Clinton has had a hard time appealing to the base thanks to her hawkish past and Wall Street ties. Left-leaning voters may wonder why then, at a time when she needs to prove her liberal credentials, Clinton chose to

skip a candidate forum hosted by one of the country's most prominent progressive groups, MoveOn.org.

Anna Galland, the executive director of the group's non-profit wing, warned that the decision could hurt Clinton's ability to motivate progressives.
"It’s a shame that Secretary Clinton declined to participate in the MoveOn member forum; she missed an opportunity to speak directly to and energize the progressive base she’ll need in her corner not just to win the nomination but also the general election, if she is the party's nominee," she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Clinton's two opponents, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley, were happy to field some questions.

Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised the idea of a forum last month, saying it was an ideal opportunity for the candidates to engage with voters. Why, then, did the party's leading lady forgo the chance to defend her supposedly progressive record?