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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 11:06 AM Feb 2013

The rise of the female White House prospect


One way or another, a woman will be in the mix for the next Democratic nomination -- and for each one after it too

BY STEVE KORNACKI


What’s most striking about the news that Janet Napolitano is apparently considering a presidential bid in 2016 is the assumption that comes with it: One way or another, there will be a serious female candidate for the next Democratic nomination.

That would probably be a good bet to make, one that says a lot about the ebbing dominance of white males within the Democrats’ national leadership and how diverse the party’s voting base is becoming. This was a major theme in the reelection of President Obama, which was keyed by disproportionate support from female voters and overwhelming strength among nonwhite voters, who accounted for a bigger share of the electorate – 28 percent – than ever before. Another diversity milestone was also set by the 2012 election, with white men now accounting for less than half of all Democrats in the House for the first time.

When it comes to ’16, speculation about a female candidate on the Democratic side has centered around Hillary Clinton, and for good reason. Not only would the former secretary of state presumably crowd any other women out of the race, she’d have the potential to clear out the entire field, or at least come close to doing so.

But the Napolitano scoop, which was provided by the Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty, is a reminder that there are multiple women positioned to run viable campaigns for the nomination if Clinton takes a pass. Already, there have been rumblings about Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand having interest in the race. Napolitano, the current homeland security secretary and former Arizona governor, is “quietly making it known she is considering the race,” according to Tumulty. Others could wind up in the mix too, so regardless of what Clinton decides, it’s doubtful Democrats will revert the days of all-male fields in 2016.

-snip-

http://www.salon.com/2013/02/05/the_rise_of_the_female_white_house_prospect/

Link to OP: Janet Napolitano: A woman to watch for 2016
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251283820
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
1. what shocked me the other day
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 11:29 AM
Feb 2013

was when Daily Kos had a poll that indicated Hillary would beat most of the top GOPers - in Texas.

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
5. would be cool
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 02:23 PM
Feb 2013

but, I'd prefer that she's president from 2016-2024. With Obama and then Clinton holding office for 16 years, it would mean that one of them has a chance to replace Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Alito or Roberts on the Supreme Court. Chances are not all five would be there for another 11 years. Though, I think Scalia, Thomas and Alito are partisan enough to hold on until death if a Democrat were president, and Roberts is still relatively young.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
6. would love for electable great democrats to replace ALL the conservative corrupt state Govs.
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 02:44 PM
Feb 2013

perhaps President Obama and VP Biden would lead states when they're done

Or maybe Joe Biden for President.

Our States especially at the local level need a lot of the good guy team work.

 

Cal33

(7,018 posts)
2. Yes, Napolitana, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren. And then consider what the Conservatives have
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 11:35 AM
Feb 2013

to offer: Palin, Bachmann. The difference is like day and night!

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
7. I'm throwing in my hat for a dual win ... a female and a Hispanic with Mexican roots.
Tue Feb 5, 2013, 03:34 PM
Feb 2013

And I don't mean Columba Bush. With both Jeb and Columba and I believe all their kids, fluent in Spanish, the Democrats better think long and hard about having a ticket that does not include a Texan like Julian Castro...impeccable credentials for national office.

His Mom was an original Chicana in America back before it was "cool". Columba is also a Mexican Hispanic...but directly from privileged Mexican politics. Not better or worse necessarily, just an interesting juxtaposition.

Rubio will NOT pull much weight with the Western Hispanics...they fully understand the difference.

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