Are the Democrats handing the Presidency to the Republicans?

Question

Whether right, wrong or indifferent, I ardently believe that we do not live in a time of human history that will see a woman or black man elected to the office of President. Do you think that by have Hillary and Barrack be the front runners for the Democratic party, they are handing the office back to Republicans for at least 4 more years? Very interested in others opinions on this subject.

Answer 1

It a gamble --- but one that might work.

Democrats right now have a very scattered and disillusioned electorate base -- they need to do something that will energize the base and get them excited.

Republicans can get the base excited about particular social issues, because they have hot-button emotional issues -- but that only works for issues people care about, and where they want to see things go their way.

People don't get as emotionally charged about holding onto something as to do making it happen -- so the Democrats need some major issue (other than Iraq) to get their base motivated. Having a woman candidate or a black candidate is exciting -- it gets people motivated.

And right now, that's far more important -- because most of the people who would be voting against either of them based solely on gender or race would never have voted for a Democrat in the first place. And most moderates care more about the qualifications than they do about race or gender.

So, they energize their base, while not really losing any votes that they could have gotten anyway.

Answer 2

Well, we disagree on this one. I don't think that even twenty years ago this could have happened. But people seem to be very ready now to vote for Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama. It's hard to keep saying this country won't elect a woman when every week her support just climbs. I do know a lot of women who are intending to vote for her, but more interestingly I'm shocked at the number of men I know who support her candidacy. I think part of the benefit of this election process starting so early this time has been that the mystique of Sen. Clinton being a woman is rapidly falling away and people are looking past that by now. I don't know if I can say the same about Obama - I know too many closet racists.

This actually turns out to be the perfect election for this to happen. The country is largely very disenchanted with the Republicans as a whole, and it's likely that the Democrats will take the White House no matter who they nominate. Clinton is clearly the front runner and she's amazing in the debate forum. If she can pull off the same level of competency and intelligence in the debates that will feature the Democrats vs. the Republicans I think she's a lock. So many people I know base their votes on watching the debates, especially the debates that will happen closer to the election.

Answer 3

There is no reason both can't become president at this time. While the American people can be racist as hell and sexist, that kind of racism and sexism is directed at those that fit a profile.

The black in the inner city, looking like he lives in the hood, talking the language, etc, is the one that is envisioned. Barrack does not fit that profile, he is more like Colin Powell and is respected because he is highly educated and articulate. Besides, while he looks black, he doesn't look really black.

Sexist. A bra burning woman of NOW is mostly pictured, which is of course pretty old hat. Hillary is a target because of her husband. What most people know of her, myself included, is based on that and unlike myself, what talking heads say about her --- which most should know is partisan and usually taken out of context. I've heard that she is inexperienced, although being the first lady who was in the thick of things and a multi term senator brings with it a hell of a lot more experience then Obama -- and yet people believe that crap and ignore common sense. The list of hating her is endless and as I said before, taken out of context, or even made up like talking heads on smear radio will do.

The dems are not handing the presidency to the republicans anymore then the repukes handed it to the dems by having someone like Powell or Libby Dole in their ranks. The American people are smart enough to look at the person. The problem is, the American people are not smart enough to throw out the 5 second sound bites in order to make an informed decision. That is why the repukes won and why the dems finally won, because they figured out that they must fight back on every one of those 5 seconds of crap in order to stay on the issues while beating the crap our of the repukes by playing their own version of a Rove attack.

Peace

Jim

.

Answer 4

No, this IS the time in our history that a woman or an African-American male will be elected to the Presidency.People are tired of white male elitist running this country into the ground. It's time for a different perspective on where this great nation is headed.

Answer 5

I think that being a woman is the least of Hillary's political problems. She is very polarizing and has been inconsistent on a lot of issues. That being said, she comes off as being strong and mature and a leader.

And the polls seem to indicate that she would beat any other candidate running or as yet undeclared.

Answer 6

I strongly believe that the Democrats will have a presidental win next year. Rather it's Hillary, Obama, or any other one. I myself am not a stong Hillary supporter but if she does win she'll have Bill Clinton to help her and he really was a very good president...people just overlook that because of his scandalous reputation. But while he was in office, this country was a hell of a lot better place then when dreadful Bush took over. Hillary is ahead in the polls but that doesn't neccessarily mean anything...who knows who will win? except that it will be a Democrat.

Answer 7

Many people have lived through things they thought they'd never see in their lifetimes!

The moon landing.
Women voting.
Blacks having the rights to everything whites do.

And the list goes on and on!

That's definitely one of the great things about the United States.....amazing things happen often in our country!

Just the changes in the last 50 years alone are incredible!

Answer 8

No, Hillary Clinton is the next President Of The United States
President Hillary Clinton , Go Hillary Go. You got it sewed tight so lets get the show on the road immediately.

Answer 9

Hillary has said that if the polls turn against her, she will serve up the presidency to the Republicans on the stolen White House China that she just happened to get her hands upon, yes.

Otherwise, she plans to keep it for backyard picnics. She prides herself upon being a gracious host foremost.

Answer 10

I tend to agree with you...I wish it weren't true! I don't think we are any more ready for a black man to be president than we were in 88. Democrats have to get smarter about campaigns...the party is shooting itself in the foot.