I don't support Hillary just because she is a woman.

[saracat]

This article explains my postion on Hillary.This is why I get so torked at being called a sexist for disagreeing with Hillary ! And for not (yet) being thrilled with her candidacy!


http://www.alternet.org/stories/43180 /
I Won't Support Hillary Just Because She's a Woman

By Allison Hantschel, Sirens Magazine. Posted October 19, 2006.



Looking solely at Hillary Clinton's political credentials, she's not the candidate for me. But am I a bad feminist because I don't want her to be president?

If I were to support Hillary Rodham Clinton for president in 2008, it would only be out of hope that this would be the thing that would finally make Rush Limbaugh's fat head just explode.

The talk-show blowhard, who rants about the New York senator and ex-First Lady's clothes and hair and presumed sex life all day long on his program just might be pushed over the edge into complete and utter loonytown if he had to watch her campaign cross-country. And who wouldn't love watching that?

But aside from its potential entertainment appeal in that vein, I'm unexcited by a Hillary candidacy. I'm uninspired. I'm ... indifferent.

I am nagged by the feeling that this makes me a bad feminist. After all, a woman president, any woman president, is a victory for womankind, right? Ovaries for the Oval Office!

Not really.

I don't think it's the height of feminism to have a woman president. I think it's the height of feminism to be able to look at presidential candidates as people who will or will not meet our needs and serve our interests. Regardless of whether those candidates are men or women, black or white, Hispanic or Asian.

[Katherine Brengle]

1. "True feminism is about wanting women to have the same freedoms, choices and opportunities as men."

Agreed. True feminism is about destroying patriarchal values and control, not about a woman sitting in the Oval Office.

I'll vote for Hillary Clinton if she wins the Dem nomination, because the alternatives will be unspeakable.

[saracat]

2. The operative word is "wins" I am not sure we even know what that means anymore. Sigh.

[Kelvin Mace]

4. I will vote with incredible reluctance while holding my nose

and then do everything possible to undermine her "centrist" (conservative) agenda.

[RiverStone]

31. I'll pass out clothespins...

To all my DEM friends - none of whom like Hillary. Alas, either the MSM is bullshitting us all and she is not as popular as they say - or we DU'ers live in an alternate but more sane universe.

Yep, if she makes it though the convention as our nominee, I will vote for her - but without enthusiasm. Damn shame, I'd be pounding the doors, working the phone banks, and running meet ups for Gore, Obama, or Clark. Just maybe, I'll get to be passionate if we are in for a Fall surprise. I'm just not holding my breath --- but may be holding my nose next November.

[saracat]

8. Perfect definition!

[Kelvin Mace]

3. I don't support her because she is a Vichy Democrat

and only moves to the left when her pollsters tell her to.

She refuses to admit error on Iraq, and subscribes to the greatly discredited DLC view of the party strategy. Her recent love sonnet to lobbiests where she snidely explains to the dirty fucking hippies at YearlyKos that "Lobbiests are people too" and that she is NEVER influenced by the cash they flood her with was an absolute contemptuous spitting in the face of the voter. She obviously thinks we are as fucking stupid as her advisers and the Washington Press Corp™.

[saracat]

7. That makes me nervous as well.

[earthlover]

10. Your post strikes a chord

Hillary is ARROGANT. That is what I don't like about her. Not because I don't like arrogance in women. But because I don't like arrogance at all in anyone! I have felt guilty about calling Hillary arrogant because I truly don't want to call someone arrogant because she is a woman trying to make it. But, dang it, she IS! Anyway.

[saracat]

11. I suppose I will be labeled a "hater" and sexist for even daring to post this!

But I know many feel the same way.And I have yet to have a Hillary supporter give me a reason to support her! The only answer I got was"she is inevitable".I find that unacceptable.

[earthlover]

12. Or...post another poll...or call their opposition naive or not ready yet...

Well, when you look...hard...at Hillary what AFFIRMATIVE REASON is there? On every issue she triangulates, talks out of both sides of her mouth if at all, so it certainly isn't because of her passion for any particular ISSUES. At one time in her life, she represented fresh and even brash new ideas. That Hillary died a long, long time ago. Its image, of course, will be resurrected by the right if she becomes the nominee to paint her as the god-forsaken-liberal-radical, but that Hillary has not existed for years.

So, given no affirmative reason, what is left is what she said on her campaign announcement. This is a day of opportunity for her to tell us her reason for entering. And what did she come up with for this momentous moment? "I am in it to win". Sorry, but that is lame. George Bush was in it to win. Adolph HItler was in it to win even more. Few candidates are in it to lose. So why is HIllary wanting to win? She hasn't told us!!!!!!

[saracat]

13. Wow that is brilliant earthlover. I didn't even think about it that way!

Subconciously, I think that I am in it to win has bothered me and for the very reasons you present!

[AtomicKitten]

5. IMO the ultimate feminism-ism (?) is making up your own mind.

that's what really matters

[saracat]

6. That is very true Atomic Kitten!

[rzemanfl]

9. I don't support Hillary. In this large country it seems absurd

that apparently only two families can produce presidential candidates. I think she is the Repuke's version of 'Brer rabbit's briar patch.

[KoKo]

14. If she were a Woman and Not Clinton's Wife she might be on her own..

that's the question.... And it depends on what one thinks about that fact..

[earthlover]

15. Yup..how many candidates for pres, male or female, can say vote for me for being x's spouse?

[earthlover]

16. Oh...forgot to say...not exactly feminism....and not exactly presidential

[pettypace]

17. Best thing about Clinton becoming president

We'll only have to hear from her for 4 to 8 years instead of 5 decades in the US Senate.

[MasonJar]

18. It is time for a woman president. Hillary is a good choice. That said I

will still support Al Gore instead if he runs because the environment is my personal # 1 issue. Otherwise let's have a woman for president. It is time!!!!!!!!!

[provis99]

19. so I guess had you been British, you would have voted for Margaret Thatcher

because it was time for a woman PM?

[zulchzulu]

20. You're a chick! You can't betray the Female Community!

[ShortnFiery]

21. Here! Here!

HRC is IMO the "anti-feminist" DLC establishment. She wants to be America's Margaret Thatcher. We don't need another *war horse.*

I'd rather relent to having a republican in the WH and a "SOLID LEAD" in The Congress. If HRC is the nominee, we'll lose Congress. Bank on it! Hell, we may lose both The Executive Branch and Congress.

No way would I EVER vote for HRC, who, IMO, is a Moderate Republican (DLC Democratic = Republican Lite).

[ripple]

22. I'd prefer to see a woman achieve this in her own right

If Hillary were to win, it would be a bittersweet accomplishment, because most of us realize that she wouldn't be in the position to run if not for her marriage to Bill.

[illinoisprogressive]

23. As an independent woman I can say I want a woman prez from the democratic wing of

the democratic party. A progressive. NO DLC for me.
I don't want free trade, lobbyist influence, corporate candidate who is the ultimate beltwayer.
Tired, same old ideas and same old politics.
corruption and cronyism. Dynasties and coronations.
no no no.

[Flabbergasted]

24. K & R

[illinoisprogressive]

25. same. and earthlover, I loved your post on how she's changed.

[HughMoran]

26. Changing "won't" to "don't" makes it appear that you support her

In fact, that's what I thought when I clicked in - I thought you were going to give other reasons why you support her - lol.

I agree with your point BTW.

[saracat]

27. You are correct! Sigh.I just can't type! Won't was what I meant to say!

[calteacherguy]

28. Excellent editorial. The writer expresses her viewpoint very well.

However, we live in a very diverse land. Other feminists will of course have other views and other leanings, I imagine.

It is significant that Hillary has vastly more support among women than men.

[tavalon]

29. Exactly

Her having ovaries doesn't trump that she is a finger in the wind middle of the road DLC type. Not someone I would pick no matter what form of genitalia she possessed.

[OwnedByFerrets]

30. K & R