2008 Elections?

Question

It seems to me that most women are going to vote for Hillary just because she is a women. Most African American and Hispanic are going to vote for Obama just because he is a minority. Why can't we judge presidential candidates on their skills and knowledge and not on their race or sex?

Answer 1

I thought that also, at first. After talking with people, I hear something different. My cynical side thought, like you, that every woman in America is going to vote for Hillary, and then a step further, I thought, they won't give their husbands or boyfriends even a hint of affection or attention until they say they'll vote for Hillary too - fortunately, that's the reason we have a secret ballot. But after talking with voters I found that a lot of women don't respect Hillary BECAUSE OF her shrewdness and calculating coldness. A lot of women are smart enough to know they can run their world while they let the men think that men run the world. I was surprised that a lot of people remember a similar run by Geraldine Ferrera, who was nominated to run for vice president years ago - they think that Hillary will have a similar fate.

Although the circumstances and details are different for each candidate who is also considered representative of a minority, the same idea holds true - a lot of people from each minority voting block won't vote for Obama or Hillary or Richardson or Romney, etc... because they can see through each candidate, and know for a fact that once any one of these condidates is elected, they are going to inherit the mess from the previous administration and they are going to be mired in a daily routine that prevents them from delivering any of the promises they are promoting daily in countless multi-million dollar advertising. The fact of the matter is that once the election is over and 2009 finally rolls around, the President elect will find it difficult if not impossible to deliver on promises made in the year 2008. So why vote for someone based on their promises and on what they say if it means little to nothing when they actually become elected?

For the most part everyone knows it's going to be four more years of the same, regardless of who is elected. The candidates all say they'll do this or that once elected, but most people know that's just not how is works - things have to be passed by the Senate and Congress - and with Democrats and Republicans not working together, more gridlock and less accomplishment seems inevitable.

The only candidates who have obviously spoken anything resembling the truth are those candidates who truly represent the poor and disenfranchised - Kucinich and Edwards. Edwards has made probably the most important quote of this election, "This system is rigged, and it's rigged against you. We think everything will be OK if we get the Democrats elected. That's a lie. Why would you replace corporate Republicans with corporate Democrats?"

I am really surprised that more people have not endorsed Edwards or Kucinich and have labeled them "leaning towards the left". I guess "left leaning" means leaning towards "We the People". Although it may be a cynical thing to say, it's also probably an accurate thing to say that the United States is run by corporations and not any President or people. I guess the bulk of endorsements go to those who can spin the greatest spell and can assume the greatest popularity or can assume to be the most eloquent. Fortunately, people see through this and are not impressed, and though many will vote against their better judgement, people know the truth of the matter. I know that I for one am not impressed.

I guess all this, whether you call it cynicism or years of experience, is why a growing number of people don't vote at all, and is why we can't judge presidential candidates on their skills and knowledge and not on their race or sex. Although many vote in major elections, many don't get involved any more than they have to, all of which is very unfortunate.

I also get the sense that, like you, many people who are voting feel that the best they can do is vote for someone who seems the most like them, even if the similarities are only on the surface and are superficial. Hence, there will be a sizable chunk of the women's vote going to Hillary just because she is a woman, a sizable chunk of the African American vote going to Obama, etc...But after talking with a lot of these folks, I still sense that many people know better than this and won't vote like that, and it doesn't have anything to do with cynicism, it's just a plain fact.

I am impressed with Edwards because I know that after this election, regardless of the outcome, he shall continue to work towards eliminating poverty. He has established a foundation that works towards eliminating poverty and his actions speak louder than any of the promises that ANY of the candidates are making including him. He knows that if more and more people in the United States become impovershed it will only serve to bring the nation further down. He is also the only one I've heard that has stated correctly that it isn't any candidate making promises who is going to change this country for the better, it's the people and their actions and everyone working together that are going to change this country for the better.

Well, that's all I have to say.
Thanks for a question that helps to breaks through all the hype.

Answer 2

I disagree. Women are not going to vote for Hillary because she is homosexual. Most heterosexual women do not want to watch a dominering women run the country instead they want someone in the office that is an attractive man. As far as Obama, I can agree with the minorities wanting to vote for him. I like him very much but I think he's too young and does not have enough experience.

Answer 3

Well... I can't speak for other people, but I'd vote for Hillary based on her directions when it comes to Health Care, Education and especially her ideas for Environmental preservation. I noticed a lot of the ideas and projects emanating from Bill Clinton's time in office getting sparked or promoted by her, so my hope would be that by voting for her, we could bring back something similar to Bill's administration - with the added benefit of a woman's more sensitive touch on global matters added.
I'm not expecting it to be perfect - I'll settle for a heck of a lot better than what we have now ;)

Answer 4

Megan says:

I'm pretty sure I'm a women and not black, but my vote is for Obama. He can really change our country. In fact I'd rather give Hilary a negitave vote, she is just annoying. And Mit, copying Kennedy's speech too! He is just trying to get attention!

But you are right. Hilary does a mojarity of women's votes and Obama has the African Americans. As long as we have a good leader who will get us out of the war, I'm happy.

End.

Answer 5

As an outsider (non US resident) opinion, I don't think all votes would solely be because of gender or colour. Upper class would vote base on profit (personal gain), middle class would vote base on perhaps gender/colour and profit. Lower class would definitely go gender/colour.

Personally, it'll be interesting to see the race. Its first FEMALE president (with Clinton as FIRST ever FIRST Gentlemen of white house) or first AFRICAN-AMERICAN president. Definitely a historical moment ^^

Who'd think they'd end up at that end you know...

Answer 6

That is mest up and i know that im going to vote for the best person for the job dont any body need to vote for a woman cause shes a woman and a african american cause he is an african american !!!!

Answer 7

I'm a woman and I really want a WOMAN to win but I don't like Hiliary

I do like Obama a lot and I'm going to vote for him - not because he's black but because he's a canidate - I think he would the USA some good!

Answer 8

Most women will not vote for hillary just because she is a woman.

That act is reserved for the ones without a brain.

Answer 9

NO WAY!!!
i can't vote b/c i'm not old enough, but i would rather jump off a bridge and drown myself than vote for her!
who has a PEP RALLY for abortion!?! why are women so excited about MURDERING their children?!
i'm totally with you. i would vote for someone who could lead this country in the right direction.
with all this going on we need a strong focused leader.
i want some one who will finish in iraq. we left germany in a wreck after WW1 and that turned out fabulous! hitler took over and started WW2... they're plenty of people over there who hate us. we need to get them a stable government before we can leave.
and i still can't believe the baby bonds!! rwar! okay. i'm going to stop myself, but to answer the question, not all girls like clinton...

Answer 10

Have you ever thought about the possibility that Hilary might be a man? Think about it.