Do you believe that Hillary Clinton's edge in '08 is due not so much to her qualifications, but her gender?

Question

Okay, before I get blasted here for being sexist, let me make it CLEAR that I would gladly support a candidate of either sex. In fact, women have proven on many levels that they are ever bit as capable, if not more capable than men on handling pressures of higher office. I am a republican, but when I saw Hillary enter the race, I did not groan...I paid attention.

In the past, women candidates for President and VP have always been a major handicap. Let's face it, we are traditionalists. It is the "Man's White House". This time around, however, Americans seem to be looking past the gender lines and seeing the female candidate for what she is...a serious contender.

My worry is this: Is what was once a metaphorical "albatross" now a boon in the party's favor? Is the NOVELTY of a female candidate, together with the admiration of the way she handled Bill's scandal making her a front runner?

I'm not opposed to Hillary. I'm just wondering if Americans are looking at the bigger picture.

Also note: I am not saying that I admire the way she handled Bill's scandal, but yo have to admit that a great many females admire her for "standing by her man". Some mar argue that the only reason she is standing by him is to secure political stature, but I digress.

Answer 1

Her gender is nothing but helpful to her in her quest for the presidency in today's popular culture. However, I think her greatest strength is that she is really really smart, and is unwavering in her convictions and opinions. Smart and strong are great leadership qualities.

Having said that, as a thinking person I cannot agree with most of her convictions and conclusions. But I think she is very politically savvy and has a good brain. We could actually do worse than she.
I do not personally like the idea of a woman president (go ahead, everyone, thumbs down me, I don't mind) because that is not my view of a woman's highest calling. I think she did a great job getting her husband into office, and she should have left it at that.
There are a lot of better ways for her to use her gifts and talents than running for the highest office, but her ego will not allow her to go with her best strengths, IMO.

To your statement, I don't know that people feel universally that she handled the Lewinsky scandal admirably... I was surprised that such an intelligent person could have missed it.....Surely this was not the first time her husband's bad behavior with women was brought to her attention.... The only conclusion I could draw from her "shock and awe" was that she really DID know, was not at all surprised, and the only thing that characterized this particular dalliance was the fact that it became common knowledge and she was publically shamed by it.
Formerly, it was probably only on her radar screen as private "currency" with which she could smack Bill about with from time to time, for a little power tilt in their marriage .

Too cynical?
Of course.
I'm actually feeling a little sick about thinking this way, and then sharing it.
But at least I'm thinking..

Answer 2

If you're a Republican, you should be against Hillary because of her socialist ideas. Couple of weeks ago France went against a woman candidate and socialist. This is a indication of what's to come. Don't fall into the numbers that the empty suits at all major networks report on. In fact, I recently heard of a poll that indicates only about 30 to 33 percent of women would vote for Hillary. If the numbers are right, what does that tell you? The REAL big picture is whether America is moving towards socialist country or remain a democracy.

Answer 3

Geraldine Ferraro is the closest example of a woman running for either president or vice president. While Ferraro may have done well as Vice President I believe Hillary Clinton will do better as President. Although I don't intend to vote for her in the general election if she emerges as the Democratic Party's choice I will give her serious consideration. As of now I don't see any of the Republican candidates I would vote for over her. That can change due to someone's misstep or big mouth (Howard Dean).

Answer 4

I think Hillary's gender is more of a downfall to her campaign then a boost. I really enjoy her, I think she is intelligent, and would be great in office, but if anything is helping her campaign it is that she is the wife of Bill Clinton. After the past 6 years, people may see a glimpse of the good 'ol days in her.

Answer 5

Let's face facts Hillary has no qualifications to be President she is all over the board on everything. She tells you anything she thinks you to hear just like the rest of the Democrat party. She has not one conviction about any thing. Like John Kerry she voted for the war before she voted against it. As for Bill Clinton being the most popular President; I don't think so Regan was more popular than Bill ever thought of being. Clinton didn't win an election with more than 50% of the vote. Regan on the other hand won in two landslide taking almost every state each time. Hillary is being reinvented daily to suit the people that she is to speaking to at that moment. One day she is for the war the next she is against it. She says she is for the working people yet she wants to raise your taxes. She says she wants to raise taxes just on the rich; but she thinks that twenty thousand a year is being rich. Just like her husband did. Yet those who are going to vote her believes anything she says. It not that I'm against her because that she a woman it's because that she is not right for the country. Or one might say like an Indian the woman speaks with forked tongue.

Answer 6

If women had such an "edge" in politics, we'd have a majority of women in elected positions - we are far from that.

Her edge is due to savy political skills, building of relationships with big donors and party insiders (as well as members of the opposition party) and her outspokenness on certain issues thoughout her career. Her association with Bill doesn't hurt, either.

PS it is just as absurd that people say Obama's popularity is because of his race. If being African Americans was such a political advantage, we'd have a lot more in elected office.

Answer 7

I think the edge Hillary has is due more to Bill than anything else. Especially since she said she would appoint him as some sort of ambassador. Foreign relations were a lot better when Clinton was in office. He can schmooze with the best of them.

Answer 8

Hilary has advantages because of a long record of fund raising and party loyalty, and not just because she is a woman. Barack Obama is newcomer and is doing very well. There is a "draft Gore" movement with over 70,000 signatures on it. This race is still wide open.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, I think the majority of Americans vote for who their friends and family are voting for and for some it is just whoever's name they recognize. A lot of Americans do not take the time to find out about the different candidates.

Answer 10

I think most people who back Hillary Clinton respect her basic values and her competence. She was way ahead of the curve on the need for national health care and with our aging population that will be a very important need. I have no doubt about her competence. She would make a fine president.