Anna says it better than I can
This article nicely sums up the issue that I have always had with Hillary's press and public treatment both past and current. It is why I am still torn about whom I want to support even though I acknowledge that Barack will easily be the more unifying and thus probably, more effective candidate and president. Part of me can't help but wonder what Hillary would be like if she hadn't always been so ruthlessly scrutinized and attacked, thereby lessening her need for defensive measures and "calculating" tactics. Frankly, I am pretty disgusted by this country's talk of democracy and equal opportunity when there continues to be so much emphasis and yet, at the same time, easy dismissal, of how one's race, gender, socioeconomic status affects their chances of success at anything. Hey did you know that if Elliot Spitzer resigns, America will have it's first blind governor! Wow! But shouldn't we wonder if his lack of eyesight might somehow affect his ability to think and lead? OK, my sarcasm isn't all that great and I should be in bed resting my sinuses so I will end my political rant now.
posted by Franny @ 1:27 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Hillary would like us all to believe how hard she's had it; unfair press and TV criticism, double standards, etc.
Sure, some people are skeptical of electing a woman President. Most people are fair-minded; and of course some women back Hillary just because she's a woman.
Similar observations, with respect to race, can be made about Barack Obama.
I'm impressed that Hillary has had a chip on her shoulder at least since her days in Arkansas. She's quick to attack and accuse others.
Meanwhile, many women have succeeded in politics by being themselves - Nancy Pelosi, Ann Richards, Christine Whitman.
CA and WA each have 2 women Senators.
Check out, if your interested, my blog on this issue.
Actually, Hillary just dismissed the notion that the media is acing sexist and denounced Ferraro's racist remarks about Obama. She requested that people instead focus on the issues. I'm not saying she is perfect, her 2 am tv commercial was ridiculous and fear mongering a la Cheney and she is rather stiff in presentation. She has also allowed herself and her family to be involved in questionable transactions placing her at risk for further scrutiny. However, it seems that Obama has made some questionable financial transactions in the past too and they are being for the most part glossed over. In the end though, I like Obama's approach and although have questions how his idealism will hold up in office, I am so disillusioned with politicians in general that I am willing to give him a shot. I linked to the article mainly because I think Quindlen's arguments are really valid despite the America's seeming "fair mindedness". It has been shown time and time again, that when it comes down to it, people don't always vote for who they say they are when in the privacy of the booth. Keeping that in mind, we might just end up with a McCain.
John McCain. Great war hero; not so great potential President.
I think it was Stephen Colbert who opined that when John McCain and Mike Huckabee debated it was noteworthy because one candidate did not believe in the theory of evolution and the other was around when Darwin invented it.
I'm not into age discrimination; but I thought it was a funny observation.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to trademark (with apologies to Michael J. Fox) the campaign slogan "Barack to the Future".
It's a bit of a chicken or egg thing with Hillary. She's defensive and calculating because she's continually scrutinized, but she's also scrutinized because she's so defensive and calculating. But it really doesn't help that she doesn't seem to favor any degree of transparency, save her willingness to do anything it takes to win the nom, repercussions be damned.
Here’s where we stand: 1) Obama will end the contest with the most pledged delegates, 2) Obama will likely end the contest with the popular vote tally, 3) Obama will end the contest with the most money and greatest fundraising potential, 4) Obama will end the contest with the most states, 5) Obama will end the contest with the best poll numbers against McCain, and 6) Obama will end the contest with the most primary state victories and caucus state victories.
And yet Hillary soldiers on. Personally, I think she’s had it pretty easy, considering she’s held a whopping one elected office that she would never had won were it not for her husband (how’s that for setting back the woman’s movement?). More to the point, not only do I think she would lose to McCain (which would be terrible for our country and the Democratic party), but I think were she somehow miraculously elected that would be pretty bad for America as well, for all sorts of reasons (not just the above, but the issue of legacy and cynical entitlement, among other things). Sometimes I get the feeling she wants McCain to win just so she can run again in 2012. That’s not just calculating but gambling, with our (not her) well-being at stake.
I’d really like to see a Clinton-specific version of this testimonial:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0314obamamar14,0,7185898.story
But I’m not sure they exist at this point.
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