BlogHer - Hillary Cliinton VP - Comments

Who wants macho? Not me

Liz Henry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:02:27 -0500

I'd call it not just a sexist title, but a misogynist article. Why would we want a macho politician in office? I can't believe I'm reading an article by women, in theory for women, that defines masculine qualities as positive necessary traits in a VP or President and anaylzes Clinton's performance or electabilty in terms of being macho or not. Why not just go all out and start talking about sissies?

Seriously isn't it just more "business as usual" to frame the elections as if Democrats have to pander to... I don't even know what... soldiers? People who think "macho" means effective?

There is something really wrong with this approach to political discourse and I call it misogyny. Coming up with negative qualities and attributing them to "feminine" and then positive qualities associating with masculine.

And even going into further territory, you say

"Surveys show the majority of hiring managers hire based on issues of personality, likeability and cultural fit, not based on competency"

So, what is your conclusion here? Roll over and go Oh, okay, all us women better butch up, though we'll never be MACHO enough ? Or if we are, then we're not soft and likeable enough and we'll be shrill untrustable ball busting bitches? Hello... it's called the double bind. So because this survey says this about hiring managers we should vote for someone or hire someone not based on competence? Instead I think it should firm us up in our fight against this kind of thinking.

I have plenty of criticisms of Senator Clinton, her policies, and how she ran her campaign.

I completely disagree with thinking that says "Oh no... our opponents are gendering politics to make democrats sissified and feminized... and Republicans macho" and responds to that by playing their game and trying to out-macho them. Instead, point it out for the misogynist and by the way also homophobic BS that it is.

-----------------

Liz Henry

lizzard@bookmaniac.net

Badgermama - personal & mommyblog

Just gotta keep separating...

Elisa Camahort — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:52:20 -0500

...the candidates from their most vitriolic supporters.

BO and HRC have never behaved like the worst of their supporters, and that's worth remembering...and using to get over any disappointment.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Totally disrespectful!

Catherine Morgan — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:41:20 -0500

This comment is totally disrespectful. Hillary Clinton took so much heat for just mentioning RFK, yet Obama supporters think this type of rhetoric is acceptable. I'm voting democrat, but I can certainly understand how many Clinton supporters might have a very difficult time getting on the Obama bandwagon.

News Flash: Your Guy Won. You can stop being so mean now.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

resume

real deal — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:03:16 -0500

Is that a resume?

Former Aide to Obama and Rev. Jackson Supports Clinton As VP

marksallen — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:07:04 -0500

Former Aide to Barack Obama and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr Supports Clinton As VPWhy Obama MUST Choose Clinton As VP !!!"I was one of the first community organizers who Barack Obama met in Chicago over 20 years ago, and I have worked directly with him throughout his political career. In 1986, I was a city wide coordinator while Barack was the Project Director for Project Vote, a city-wide voter registration campaign that put over 100, 000 new voters on the books, which set the stage for the historic election of Illinois U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, the re-election of Chicago's 1st Black Mayor Harold Washington in 1987, and a new Chicago City Council. As a former national staff member on Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr's 1988 Presidential staff, and the youngest member of Jackson's Illinois Delegate slate, I watched how many of our key national field staff and supporters did not support the Democratic nominee Dukakis after Rev. Jackson as the number two vote getter was not on the ticket. In 2008, The Democratic Party cannot afford for the excitement and new generation of voters that Obama and Clinton have brought to the process to turn off by the non inclusion of the other candidate on the ticket. A lot of new voters may not understand or will accept why the two top vote getters are not automatically the ticket. Based upon my direct experience of 1988, let me be one of the first to say that I would surely support the Obama/Clinton Dream Ticket, for anything less may be a nightmare."Mark S. AllenAssociate EditorThe South Street Journal Newspaper*Veteran Political activist with over 30 "straight years in public service on local, state and national levels, including 7 years as a national staff member to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr*Former talk show host on the legendary Black/News Talk Station WVON*Who's Who Among African Americans*Who's Who In Black Chicago
449 East 35th Street, 1st Floor773-373-7000 or cell 773-392-0165

Hillary would do anything to be the top dawg

real deal — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:20:14 -0500

Hillary would do anything to be the top dawg.Being from NY I have seen crazy things in the political world.If I was Obama I would not put Hillary in there shes a self serving person and is out for herself.

I would be afraid she would have him killed so she could take over..nothing would surprise me with her and her sidekick..biily bob

The Unity Ticket

Pam — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:42:36 -0500

I've actually been hoping for a unity ticket. After a great deal of ambivelence (and reading voting records, damn that Morra Aarons!) I wanted Hilary in the driver's seat, Obama as the VP. I'd take the reverse and it would NOT be settling for less than I want, I would feel very good about that.

I don't happen to think the voters are "owed" Hilary's placement on the ticket, though. Obama and his people "owe" it to ALL Dems and potential Dems to pick a runnign mate that they can feel proud to vote for. If they decide that's Hilary, well, so much the better.

Hilary has proven that she can get in it and fight long and hard to the finish, how much more macho does she have to be?

Nerd's Eye View

I'm inspired by Hillary.

Liz Rizzo — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:53:24 -0500

In particular, her seeing the race through to the end, and her choosing to take a few days to let the dust settle and really consider her best next move.

All this pressure to do the most ridiculous things - drop out before the end, concede immediately. This complete lack of respect for her most admirable leadership qualities. And yet, she continues to stand tall.

She *is* the strength that Democrats need on the ticket with Obama.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Hilary

Dorotheaa — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:13:44 -0500

A few things bothered me about Hillary. The major issuse she took too long to let go. It didn't do her any favors to see the writing on the wall and continue campaigning. She made it more dificult for Obama to select her as a VP.

In addition, she didn't have her goals set in stone. She floundered on important issues. I'm having a hard time deciding. And in speaking with other women they agree. Thanks for the post..good questions.

Dorothy from grammology

remember to call your gram