If you want proof that Hillary is the smarter, more capable candidate, just look at how Obama's campaign is trying to dodge and put off upcoming debates with Hillary. The reason? The Obama team knows that Hillary does better in debates. She is better at discussing issues on the spot, has deeper knowledge, and responds better than he does to tough questions.
Yet people are enamored with Obama over his motivational speaking. Who cares if he has experience or know-how? He's inspiring, so let's vote for him!
What's really upsetting to me, however, is how many young women don't get Hillary. I actually heard a young woman speak with contempt about Hillary this past weekend, saying that Hillary shouldn't be president because she couldn't keep Bill "in line." Excuse me? Since when did someone's ability to keep their spouse from cheating (as if that's even possible) have anything to do with their ability to run a country?
Why doesn't Hillary get any credit for forgiving Bill after a huge public humiliation, and getting past it to keep her marriage strong? Isn't that what family values is all about? She lives it, and yet no-one gives her credit for it. She could have left. She could have married another man in power (if that's all it was about for her). But no. She forgave him and you can see the love they have for each other now, some 10 years later.
Women, wake up. Stop getting sidetracked by these stupid non-issues, which are all about keeping Hillary the woman down and have nothing to do with a presidential campaign. You are being hoodwinked to betray your gender.
I'm not saying that Obama is a bad candidate but GIVE HILLARY A CHANCE. Obama is young. He has time. He can be a good VP and run again for President in another 8 years (if we're lucky). But Hillary's time is NOW. She needs your support NOW.
And if you're not all gung-ho for Hillary, ask yourself, quite seriously, why?
Is it because you believe she's too "ambitious"?
Stop and think for a second. What person who runs for president ISN'T ambitious? But when a woman runs, somehow we're wary and skeptical. God forbid someone - a woman - runs for president out of ambition! Horrors!
Is it because she's not "likable"?
Whenever is a powerful woman "likable"? Powerful women are made into jokes in this country. (Look at Janet Reno.) "Likable" women are the smiling, pretty Julia Roberts. Or Britney Spears before her meltdown. Cute, non-threatening, and maybe a little ditzy. Who needs a woman running for president to be "likable" in the female sense of the word? What do you want? Hillary wearing Hello Kitty clothes? How about baring her midriff? (And for the record, I think Hillary is highly likable.)
Is it because you think she's got a vast corporate conspiracy behind her?
I was shocked to get a slanderous anti-Hillary email in my box the other day from a female Obama supporter. From the likes of this email, Hillary not only flexes her political muscles to put Obama down, but she's directly responsible for global warming, the attacks on 9/11, the death of JFK, and all sorts of other nonsense. These are the same types of ridiculous attacks the right wing used against Bill Clinton for years - only some younger folks apparently don't realize they have been duped into repeating the same tired old crap in support of Obama instead of the right.
The Truth: Hillary is Brilliant, and Has What it Takes to Lead
If you get past the knee-jerking and sexism, and open your eyes, you'll see that Hillary is the one who really knows her stuff and has the ability to lead. And when it comes to consensus building? She, not Obama, is the one who blew away her Republican "enemies" and got them to work with her while in Congress. She knows how to reach across the table and get things done.
As for heart: I constantly hear people saying that when they get up close to Hillary, they are stunned at how warm and genuine she is. So what that she doesn't give a speech as flowery as Obama's? She still cares and she has the brains and know-how to get things done.
She's made tremendous strides in this campaign while also having to battle a lot of unconscious sexism...read the following to really understand what's been going on:
http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/020108.html
Still doubt Hillary's brilliance, passion, and commitment to women and children? Read the following excerpt from her speech at the 1995 UN World Conference on Women in Beijing (taken from the above article with that writer's emphasis). Then tell me that we women should not support Hillary:
“For too long, the history of women has been a history of silence. Even today, there are those who are trying to silence our words.
“It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls. It is a violation of human rights when woman and girls are sold into the slavery of prostitution. It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire and burned to death because their marriage dowries are deemed too small. It is a violation of human rights when individual women are raped in their own communities and when thousands of women are subjected to rape as a tactic or prize of war. It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide along women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes. It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will.
“Women’s rights are human rights. Among those rights are the right to speak freely—and the right to be heard.”
And the right to run for president. Now let's give Hillary her voice.
Well said, Stephanie. Obama is a good candidate, but Hillary Clinton was born for this role and has spent her entire life moving toward it. She is by far the most qualified candidate on the slate.
As for not being likeable, that's just made up, anti-feminist put-down. You should have heard the crowd in Atlanta screaming, "We love you, Hillary!" and cheering when she walked into the room. She is very well liked by millions of people.
Men who run for office aren't expected to be gorgeous (which Hillary is -- I'll be thrilled if I look that good at her age!) as well as dignified, cool under pressure and everything else. She is not as "charismatic" as Obama, but let's face it -- This is not American Idol. We are picking our next president. The fact that Clinton talks about complexities and details actually gives me heart. It is obviously she has thought deeply about the issues and has a real plan.
Go Hillary!
Posted by: abra | March 08, 2008 at 06:55 PM