The Woman Vote: Is Hillary the Right Choice?

[km7368]

An ironic part of the 2008 presidential campaign has been that multiple times within the media, Senator Barack Obama's race is pointed out to not be a factor; the media is adamant about making it clear that it either likes or dislikes Obama not because of the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. Obama is seen as a candidate of change not through his race but through his ideals. Of course his race will affect some votes he gets some way or another; however, the card is not often played, certainly not often by Obama. For Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign, the story differs. Women are constantly reminded of the presence of Clinton in the race, and its importance from a womanly standpoint. Women are forced to contemplate the impact and meaning of such a viable female candidate. Clinton focuses much of her campaign around grabbing womens' votes, on convincing women voters that she is the future. As stated on csmonitor.com, "the former first lady has made it clear that appealing to female voters will be central to her message."

But here's the real question: Is Hillary Clinton truly the best candidate for women? I'm not convinced. Clinton once stated that "human rights are womens rights", but I'm not so sure progressing womens rights are high on the agenda for Clinton. To begin, electing a woman into the oval office is an achievement, I concede; however it won't counter the imbalance of power relations between men and women in politics, let alone in any other social issues faced by women today. I believe a lot of women have voted and will vote for Senator Clinton based upon this notion: that just getting a woman in the presidency will level the playing field. It won't. Unfortunately, politics is still heavily a man's game, the world over. Though in progressive Europe women have been voted into high posts and have made a presence on the political scene, the state of women in the world hasn't changed all that much. Women still face great disabilities in comparison to men in the political field, in the workforce, and domestically. This will not change if Clinton is elected. Furthermore, Clinton's main focus if elected to the presidency will not be women's rights; her focuses will be the Iraq War, the economy, immigration rights, all of the issues so heavily stressed upon now. That is where her approval ratings will come from, where her male support will come from, and she knows that.

I may be wrong in my analysis, but I find it naive to believe that just getting Clinton into the White House will change the political and social scene for women in America. Much more needs to be done, and I don't think that Clinton is the right woman for the job.

[Diane R]

1. No. She's not the right woman....and this is coming from a woman who would love a woman president.

[DURHAM D]

2. Oh please.

I much prefer that Obama wins so that his National Co-Chairman Jesse Jackson Jr. can lead the effort to create a program for federally funded hair salons. My personal hope is that if women do not want to use the federal hair salons they will develop a federal voucher system that will allow us to go to the salon of our choice.

Obama's beauty initiative was sparked by Jesse Jackson stating that the only reason Hillary won N.H. was because she cried when she was having a bad hair day. No more bad hair days - no more crying - much happier boyfriends, bosses and husbands.

[bellasgrams]

3. She is the right woman for the job. People should stop

attacking her and let her run a good race and then support her. I know she will do the US and the world a better job then anyone else at this time. I'm also expecting to see women like Barbara Boxer, but they're related so that may not be allowed. Maybe Shirley jackson Lee, maybe Jean Harmon. There will be men but not exclusively.

[indimuse]

4. There is nobody better woman OR man!

:headbang::headbang::headbang:

[newfie11]

5. She is my choice