Why Women Hate Hillary

[K Gardner]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3129/why_women_hate_hillary/

Why Women Hate Hillary

She reinforces the Genghis Khan principle of American politics that our leaders must be ruthless and macho
By Susan J. Douglas

Hillary wants to be more like a man in her demeanor and politics, leaving some basic tenets of feminism in the dust. She is like patriarchy in sheep's clothing.

We sat around the dinner table, a group of 50-something progressive feminists, talking to a friend from England about presidential politics. We were all for Hillary, weren’t we, he asked. Hillary? We hated Hillary. He was taken aback. Weren’t we her base? Wasn’t she one of us? Why did we hate Hillary?

Of course, a lot of people seem to hate Hillary. According to some polls, anywhere from 39 to 50 percent of respondents claim they’d vote against her no matter what; her “negatives” continue to be high. Many of these are Republicans and men. But many are not. According to a Harris poll in March, 52 percent of married women said they would not vote for her. Nearly half of adults say they dislike her personality and her politics. Unlike her husband, people seem to find her cold and don’t see her connecting with everyday people, and this is especially true for married women. Ironically, it is Gen Xers, those between 31 and 42, who give her the most support.

So what gives? For people like my friends and me, her hawkish position on Iraq and her insistence that the U.S. maintain a military presence there even after the troops are withdrawn have been very disappointing. But it’s more than any specific position. Women don’t trust Hillary. They see her as an opportunist; many feel betrayed by her. Why?

<snip>

And, ironically, we see candidates like John Edwards or Barack Obama—men—offering just that. If Hillary Clinton wants to be the first female president, then maybe, just maybe, she should actually run as a woman.

[William769]

1. I think you need to scream that more at the Woman who have already voted.

They don't seem to be listening. :rofl:

[DURHAM D]

3. Could it be that the article is 10 months old??? n/t

[William769]

7. I was just show the stupidity of the article.

[Hello_Kitty]

27. It is a mistake to extrapolate from the primaries

Hillary is popular among Democratic women only. They are less than 20% of total voters and not as reliable a voting bloc as Republican women. Republican women LOATHE her. And now that the Clinton's, in all their brilliance, have pissed off the black community we can count on a really tough fight for the general, along with a down ticket disaster.

Thanks a bunch, Billary! :sarcasm:

[William769]

32. When the General the comes around, I'll worry about it.

Right now we in in the Democratic primary, some people just don't get that.

[Hello_Kitty]

45. Wrong, we DO get it. That's why your Queen's coronation isn't going as smoothly as planned.

The blithe Scarlett O'Hara attitude of Hillary supporters - "Fiddle dee dee. I'll just worry about that another day!" :eyes:

Some of us live in red or purple states and we are worried about it NOW. Some of us see 2008 as finally our chance to de-wingnut our congressional delegations, state leges, and a host of local offices. But noooooo, Billary can't get off their power/ego trips so we get to have them at the top of the ticket and taking our hopes with them.

Can you think of one person who will bring more Republicans out to vote than Hillary? One? Anyone?

Why do we want to do this to ourselves? :banghead:

[William769]

46. The "coronation" will be decided by DEMOCRATS!

Thats what you don't get and Appearently never will. :eyes:

[Hello_Kitty]

50. I'm sure that will make us all feel better when Pres. McCain is inaugurated

Hanging your general election hopes on 20% of the voters is not a good strategy, my friend.

[William769]

54. Explain N.H, The Independents and Republican State!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Hello_Kitty]

57. NH independents are a different breed than those in the rest of the country.

Besides, didn't Obama get half the independents in NH and win the Iowa ones?

[William769]

60. Now come the excuses.

So predictable! :rofl:

[ShortnFiery]

2. Give it a rest. She's not *A VICTIM* ... that tired old argument is wearing thin.

:bored:

Wash. Rinse. Repeat. :eyes:

[leftynyc]

4. I think exit polling has

made it clear she is doing very well among women.

[Hello_Kitty]

51. Which would be great if all women were Democrats! Except that they're not.

Far as I can tell she is still universally despised by Republican women, who are a much higher-efficacy voting bloc. 52% of married white women say they absolutely will not vote for her. That's not good. At all.

[leftynyc]

53. It's the single women that are a force

for Hillary. And there are PLENTY of them. I wish I thought Obama could win the general but I'm sorry, I really don't. My top vote is Edwards. Then Hillary. I'm afraid I'm not much of a fan of Obama but if he's the nominee, I will vote for him.

[Hello_Kitty]

55. I honestly feel Edwards has the best chance. It is what it is.

I'll vote for any of them in the general but Hillary is the worst for down ticket races IMO. She'll bring out the crazy wingnuts in droves. Even if she sqeaks out a razor thin presidential victory we will lose seats in Congress and locally because Dems just aren't as disciplined at voting all the way down the ballot like the repukes are. This is a proven fact. It's just not worth it to take a chance with someone as polarizing as her. Plus she and Bill are doing and saying stupid things that are pissing off core groups like African Americans.

Obama is a risk because of the Muslim thing, the drug use, and plain old racism. Plus his answers are way too long-winded and wonky for the average dumbass American to follow. The repukes will crush him with slogans if he doesn't learn to express himself better in debates and interviews.

Edwards is the best chance we have.

[Jim__]

5. Who speaks for women?

Didn't Hillary win the woman's vote in New Hampshire and Nevada? Is this person speaking for those women too?

[Captain Hilts]

17. I choose Tina Turner, since Ella Fitzgerald and Kathy Hepburn are dead. nt

[cobalt1999]

6. Wow. I'm speechless.

Women can't be ruthless?

What does it mean "run as a woman?". Is that code for a demurring, don't talk back to men, know your place, and be polite candidate?

What crap.

[LostinVA]

33. Thanks -- agreed

[rinsd]

8. Digging up old bullshit!

[K Gardner]

31. Good articles never die !

[AlCzervik]

9. that article is from april and while it may speak to a segment of women it certainly

does not represent them all.

[suston96]

10. Women hate Hillary? I don't think so. Those polls nobody likes say otherwise.....

[Captain Hilts]

11. Women don't vote as a bloc. And what defines running "as a woman?" nt

[Skwmom]

12. Anyone who thinks all women are going to flock to Hillary Clinton are

ignoring the fact that there was a big rift in the women's movement.

[Hello_Kitty]

47. There's a big rift now over Hillary

There are those women who consider you disloyal for not supporting her and those of us who think her being a woman is not enough to override her considerable baggage.

[Peregrine Took]

13. Oddly enough, I'm starting to like her better after seeing her in the debate

last night.

That girl is a fighter - I'd love to see her debate even that old devil, Cheney. I bet she'd spit in his eye.

[Captain Hilts]

21. I started to like her more after seeing her fight off - successfully - Russert two Sundays ago. nt

[rodeodance]

23. That Sun show was an eye opener for me. She did great.

[Cameron27]

14. I'd say the author got it wrong,

very wrong.

[paulk]

15. LOL!

This article has no basis in reality...

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. We aren't left having to guess

and we don't have to project findings onto the world based on our personal circles of friends either. Not all African Americans like Barack Obama but he gets more votes from that broad demographic group than any other Democratic Candidate. Not all women like Hillary Clinton but she gets more votes from that broad demographic group than any other Democratic Candidate.

I really find it hard to swallow that the writer of that piece didn't even have the common sense and decency to insert "some" or perhaps "many" in front of "women" before publishing that piece.

[LisaM]

18. The right-wing noise machine started training us to hate Hillary in 1992

And they succeeded with a lot of people.

[Captain Hilts]

22. True, LisaM. I like something about ALL our candidates! nt

[LulaMay]

34. How true & people eat it up. Exactly WHY is she "so unlikeable"? "Answers" are sexist stereotypes

Nothing of substance.

[Cha]

19. hilary run as a woman?...

only when she needs the NH votes. hilary wouldn't be quite so bad if she didn't have all that blood on her hands.

"Clearly, Hillary and her advisors have calculated that for a woman to be elected in this country, she’s got to come across as just as tough as the guys. And maybe they’re right. But so far, Hillary is not getting men with this strategy, and women feel written off. After the dark ages of this pugnacious administration, many of us want to let the light in. We want a break with the past, optimism, and a recommitment to the government caring about and serving the needs of everyday people. We want what feminism began to fight for 40 years ago—humanizing deeply patriarchal institutions. And, ironically, we see candidates like John Edwards or Barack Obama—men—offering just that. If Hillary Clinton wants to be the first female president, then maybe, just maybe, she should actually run as a woman.

[rodeodance]

20. this crapola has been landing in my INbox for months now.

[NC_Nurse]

24. I like this line:

"We don’t want the first female president to be Joe Lieberman in drag, pushing Bush-lite politics."
True for me.

[LulaMay]

25. I guess that's why they are coming out in droves to vote for her.

[melody]

26. Does MLKIII hate black people?

He endorsed Edwards.

This is the kind of mopey-face agit prop that finds its way into political discussion way too often.

I don't hate Hillary any more than I hate Barack. I just prefer John's vision of things.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

28. I'm a woman, and speak only for myself

but it is her position on the issues that I don't like.

Iraq--not backing down or apologizing for her IWR vote, and her subsequent votes to fund and continue funding the war smacks of huberis winning over pragmatism

Health Care--her plan would be a windfall for the insurance industry, and those fat cats don't need any more money to enrich their bloated, blood-stained hands.

My vote is based upon two things: stands on issues and a track record proving the candidate walks their talk. That's why Kucinich has my vote.

[CyberPieHole]

29. The article is dated April 26, 2007. Pathetic. Foolish. Moronic. Asinine. Desperate. Stupid.

And the article is a little bit DATED.:evilgrin:

[AtomicKitten]

30. "She reinforces the Genghis Khan principle of American politics that our leaders must be ruthless ..

In fact, it is anti-feminist and a very poor example of how women should wield power.

[elixir]

35. who is SusanJ.Douglas?!!! This article is totally subjective and ridiculous.

[Orangepeel]

36. Birds of a feather.

Of course, this article would be more accurately titled, "Why My Friends and I Hate Hillary."

Statistically, 50-something (and older) progressive feminists are Hillary's core demographic, this author and the people she hangs around with notwithstanding.

[we can do it]

37. I Don't Hate Hillary, But I do Prefer Edwards.

I like strong women, and that does not make her like a man for gawds sake.

[Occam Bandage]

38. Is there polling data to back any of this up? Or are they talking out of their ass?

[K Gardner]

39. Something more recent then? How about "A Portrait in Cynicism"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/portrait-in-cynicism-hil_b_80289.html

Hillary Clinton has apparently decided on which lines of attack to use against Barack Obama in New Hampshire: all of them.

When it started, Clinton's poll-tested candidacy came down to telling voters, "Whatever you like, that's what I am."

But it turns out that, so far, what voters like is Obama. So now her sputtering campaign strategy has shifted to telling voters, "Whatever you don't like, that's what Obama is."

Clinton and her surrogates are attacking from every direction, hoping something will stick.

The attacks are as varied as they are contemptible. Let's take a look at the dirty laundry list. Put on your galoshes, the mud is mighty thick.

<snip>

[jillan]

40. This woman doesn't hate her at all.

[tandot]

41. To steal Obama's words: "Nobody clued me in" - I guess I didn't get the memo that I should hate her

:shrug:

[Der Blaue Engel]

42. This is the oldest form of sexism in the book

"She wants to be like a man." Cloaking sexism in the guise of "feminism" is despicable. Maybe these alleged feminists who sat around hating Hillary need to do some serious self-examination next time they "sit around" and figure out why it is that they continue to buy into the rigid gender roles of the patriarchy.

And this bit is just nonsensical babbling:

Ironically, it is Gen Xers, those between 31 and 42, who give her the most support.

Ironically? How's that, exactly? Has the author been listening to too much Alanis Morisette? (Nah. She's Gen-X, so that can't be it.)

Though this Gen-Xer happens to prefer Edwards, I will happily vote for Hillary if she is our nominee.

[onehandle]

43. nt

[Marrah_G]

44. I am a woman and I do not hate Hillary

[Perry Logan]

48. Isn't it obvious? The people who hate Hillary think everybody suffers from the same disorder.

[robbedvoter]

49. 57% in NH, 59% in Nevada - does reality matter for this OP at all?

Seems to me women come in droves to vote for Hillary. :shrug:
I am one too and don't hate her.

I see now that this wild speculation was written BEFORE votes were actually cast. More discredited punditry.

[Hello_Kitty]

52. Big deal, they're Democrats

She has the highest unlikeability of ANY candidate. That's just to start with. At the rate the Clintons are going, pissing off core constituencies like black voters, her general election prospects get dimmer and effect of her being on the top of the ticket worsens the down ticket race prospects.

[hayu_lol]

56. Just one more nonsensical hate-Hillary thread...

where the OP fails to observe what the majority of women across the country are doing--rallying to Hillary.

Reality sucks when you disagree with it.

[Hello_Kitty]

58. No it just goes to show how oblivious Hillbots are.

You cannot take the results of a PRIMARY and apply them to the general voting public!

Just to illustrate that point a bit: I personally know a woman at work, a Democrat, who plans to vote for Hillary in the primary but says she'll vote for McCain if he's running against her. I know, :crazy:, but there you have it.

[GoldieAZ49]

59. women and men

I read somewhere that men don't like Hillary because she reminds them of their ex wife or mother-in-law.


Women don't like her for a variety of reasons, not sexist at all. It does go to likability. (I don't care if it hurts her feelings or not. I work in sales, people buy from people, even if they want the product, if they don't like the rep they will buy elsewhere. The majority of this country are not "buying" from Hillary)

It isn't because she doesn't run as a "woman" it is that she runs as an angry authoritarian, and is going to mandate how we will live, work etc. Not a Big Brother, worse, Big Mama.

CC is right, no one will energize the republican voting block like Hillary. They do not have one single strong candidate that can mobilize them to turn out and vote. Hillary can, and unfortunately it looks like she will.

[guerrillafiter]

61. Among women, Clinton wallops everyone else, including Obama

It's like posting an article titled, "why catholics hate the Pope".

[Seabiscuit]

62. Flamebait.

[PeaceNikki]

63. *cough* horseshit *cough*