Is it just that Hillary is Female?

[Taopoet]

I've heard the statement that "America is ready for a woman president" a lot. I do not disagree. However, I can't help but wonder if voting for Hillary primarily because she is a woman isn't just as sexist as voting against her primarily because she is a woman. What do you fine folks think about this?

(For the record, I'm a 40-year-old female democrat)

[Jed K]

Just because America is "ready for a woman president" doesn't mean this particular woman is the best choice for our country. Unfortunately, the appeal of change and making history is too hard for some to resist.

In response to your question, making a vote either for or against Hiillary based solely on gender is, of course, sexist; however, I don't think it can be helped.

[kerridoc]

Taopoet Wrote:I've heard the statement that "America is ready for a woman president" a lot. I do not disagree. However, I can't help but wonder if voting for Hillary primarily because she is a woman isn't just as sexist as voting against her primarily because she is a woman. What do you fine folks think about this?

(For the record, I'm a 40-year-old female democrat)

As a 40-something white male, I find myself in "a house divided." My wife, my sister, my wife's book group, the like-generation women at church, are all strong for HRC, and their support clearly has a strong women-for-woman element. This is a generation of women, raised in the 60s and 70s, that fought for (and, largely, won) the erasure of the now-antiquated lines between roles of men and women, and I have little doubt that part of their support for HRC is -- consciously or sub-consciously -- to shatter the highest glass ceiling there is.

To be fair, I am equally sure that there are other voters supporting Obama to shatter the final racial divide.

I wouldn't call either vote 'sexist' or 'racist.' None of the women I know supporting HRC would agree with the statement, "men simply aren't qualified to be President." There is, I think, a strongly symbolic element to their vote, though. If Hillary were a man, would she be attracting as many supporters?

[KPrice]

I think there's a lot more to it than that she's female. Before I write anymore, please know that I am a 30-year-old female, and I strongly support Senator Obama.

I think that a number of people are getting involved because they are afraid of a 2004 repeat. Many of us never imagined Bush could win again (I mean, what were they THINKING?!), and we aren't about to get suprised without a fight this time.

So why Clinton? She's clearly been in politics longer than Barack, she had much better name recognition for those first few states, she says she's against the war, and the Clintons are associated with a better econmy and greater peace.

I don't think most people have the time or commitment to watch all of the debates and read about the issues on the candidates websites, so they go based on little clips here and there. Without knowing much about Barack, I think people voted for Clinton knowing she would have a decent chance of winning.

However, more and more people have had a chance to hear him speak, read up on who he is, what he's been doing with his life and what he plans to do with the presidency. I think that's why he's gaining so much momentum. Even those that feel "it's time for a female president" can't deny what the polls are saying about his chances against McCain.

Si se puede!!

[alberta2020]

i agree. i am an african-american woman who is a registered republican. i voted in the republican primary in florida.

now that i have had the time to research obama's record, his life story, etc. etc., i now am ready to support him. i do not agree w/all of his positions and am leary about how much spending will take place, how strong national security will be and what will happen w/immigration. however, i am connected to his spirit of honesty, transparency and realness about what he wants to do for america. i believe that the policy is not as important as the mindset. and so i trust obama and he is someone who i can believe in. the change that he will facilitate will take everyone, and i believe that americans will do the right thing, given the chance.

[sunken]

I don't think there is any difference between a woman or a man taking over the White House. I think what woman is important. Hilary's problem is not so much that she's a woman, but she comes with a lot of political baggage (Bill) that people seem to not be able to get over. I am not sure what Bill Clinton did so badly to create that much hate, but it's out there.

[SDLinda]

America is behind the rest of the world regarding female leadership. Pakastan, Bangladesh, the UK, Israel, etc. etc. etc. I have been ready to vote for a woman for president all my voting life (I am 56). For symbolic reasons, I have thought I would overlook many mismatches between my political beliefs and a female candidate's. However, I couldn't in all good conscience vote for Hillary Clinton in the primary. She has made her name by polarizing politics, and her route through New York to her presidential race is an example of what is wrong with politics as is.

I would hate to believe that other women would ignore their consciences to vote for Hillary just because she is female. I would rather believe that they would argue that she has done what she has in order to get ahead in a "man's world." I don't agree with this second generation feminist argument, but it does give us a starting point for a discussion of the merits (or lack thereof) of her past actions. I would love to hear from someone who can speak to this.

Meanwhile I will make my move away from white male hegemony by supporting a candidate who has a character which I can trust in such a powerful office and who has the audacity to hope.

[mvers]

I am a 60 year old Independent. I generally lean a little to the Republican side. I live in Illinois. When Senator Obama ran for U.S. Senator I voted for him. The main reason is that he wasn't afraid to cross the political divide to pass legislation. I don't get all excited when they criticize his "present" votes in the Illinois legislature because, I understand that is not away here in Illinois to skirt an issue, but rather to support it while still wanting a different or better version of the bill. The difference between Hillary and Barack to me is plain integrity! Hillary carries some baggage from Bill on this. However, she has some questions to answer for regarding realese of White house records, release of donors for the Clinton Presidential Library which she helped to secure, and total revelation of financial matters. The Clinton White House was not a time of Moral Integrity. This unfortunatly casts a shadow over Hillary. The question always comes down to this, "Who is the best candidate?". It can not be what gender?, what race?, or what party?.

[grass_ninja]

Our choice is a woman or an african-american. Either way history will be made. Now many people are saying that America is ready for a woman president, as well as a black president. And many people will vote for Clinton because she is female and many will vote for Obama because he is black.

The Office of the President of the United States of America is a sacred thing in this country. It transcends celebrity, and icon. The person who holds that Office will be faced with all the intense, complex, sophisticated problems facing the world and mankind. Whoever holds that Office will have the power to influence the direction of the whole world. Every past President has etched out the pages of history for their time. Their personality and persona are manifested in our daily lives. The duty and responsibility of the Office requires that all voters of our free democratic society take their role in choosing the future Office holder very seriously.

Our choice is clear. The decision should not be about woman or man, african-american or white. The decision should be about who will step into that Office on day one and do the work of the People. It's a job for the one person who more than any of the other candidates feels a deep patriotism to serve the will of the People. We need a President who will hold the Voice of the People in one hand and the Constitution in the other and move the country together and move it forward.

I am voting for Senator Obama. Not because he is black, but because he is that person who can best move our dear country forward and change the failed policies and ways of Washington.

[soccercomplexity]

Taopoet Wrote:I've heard the statement that "America is ready for a woman president" a lot. I do not disagree. However, I can't help but wonder if voting for Hillary primarily because she is a woman isn't just as sexist as voting against her primarily because she is a woman. What do you fine folks think about this?

(For the record, I'm a 40-year-old female democrat)

We are way beyond that point. I believe, "Just Not THIS Woman".