“For a long time women seeking high office, particularly executive office, were advised to play down their softer, domestic side, and play up their strength and qualifications,” the New York Times reported. Now, women politicians are becoming freer to practice the “politics of maternity” in courting women voters.
But a commentary in the Washington Post challenged the view that women voters could make Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., the next president.
‚”Only once has the women’s vote arguably been different enough from the men’s vote to determine the outcome of a presidential election,” wrote Linda Hirshman. “The men’s vote was so divided in 1996 that exit polls show Clinton one percentage point behind among men (a statistical tie), while winning the female vote.”
Hirshman’s conclusion: “Any campaign that needs women to win would have to break the 88-year record of women failing to produce election results that men oppose.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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39 Comments
It would seem that this thread is discounting smart women who want Billary even less than smart men. But, when it’s all said and done, she’ll get more votes than Brownback. Damn, there’s a pair to draw to!
So, the idea that once the curtain closes in the voting booth, the woman votes her mind ’cause no one will know, is dead?
Sounds a lot like the myth that young voters really matter. Of course, I think they do. But, goddess help me, to paraphrase joe scarborough, if your campaign depends on the turnout of young voters, you are going to lose. They just never appear at the polls in numbers enough to matter.
And now, “they” say women dont vote as a block enough to influence the outcome of an election?
Now who would have an interest in promoting THAT idea?
All voters matter. No matter their demographic. What is important are the number of men I hear in support of Hillary- and that is awesome.
It takes a good strong man to not feel threatened by a woman in power. All the others are weenies.
I’m laughing about that one. Hoooo-daddy!
Lemme get this straight: if I choose not to vote for Hillary (hypothetically, of course), it’s because I feel threatened by a woman in power?
Or, perhaps, is it possible that I just don’t like her ideology?
I have to say that I am amused by men that try to come up with ANY reason to be against Hillary without actually saying that they would not vote for a woman. They twist themselves into knots trying avoid being honest.
Unfortunately, that tendency might play out unfavorably in 2008 if (when) Senator Clinton runs in the general election. I believe the term is the “Bradley Effect” whereby voters say that they will vote one way publicly, while yielding to their prejudice when in the voting booth.
If Karma exists, Hillary will win.
And ALL those powers the cons gave this preznit will reside in the hands of… Hillary. Nancy. Teddy.
hee hee hee hee hee hee
If there is a god and she has a sense of humor, that would just be too good to pass up.
And I bet Molly wasnt even all the way through the pearly gates before she started agitating for just that very thing!
Great balls ‘o fire!!!
I think the world, with few exceptions, is still too much a “good ole boys club.” It’s changing but has too far to go. That’s not why I think Hillary won’t be elected even if nominated.
I didn’t understand the vitriol people have of Bill Clinton until I experienced it first-hand with regard to GWBush. For whatever reason (or lack of) this deep-seated ill will is felt for Hillary by those who bitterly oppose her husband. Sometimes it seems to be even stronger. That kind of venomous feeling isn’t something that we easily get past. I know I can’t get past my loathing of all things GWBush.
That’s why I think it would be bad for America to have another Clinton as president. I personally think our country prospered under B. Clinton and would under Hillary, but we need someone who will allow us to come closer together and she isn’t that person.
To some extent I have to side with golfer on this. I will vote for a PERSON; not a representative of a race, gender, or ethnic group. I would vote against Condi Rice – not because she is black or female but because I fell her foreign policy is abysmal. We can argue that issue but not her race or gender.
I could see myself voting FOR Chuck Hagel – again not because he is white ot male but because I might find him to be a good fit. (Not sure of that yet).
I could see myself voting for Hillary – again based on issues. Similar with Obama.
I think the reason for the gender gap with Bill Clinton was because of which issues resonated with voters. And, again in 2008, I think it will be the same.
Why would anyone vote for Hillary, she cowards under the two-timing Bill.She will coward as a leader of a nation just as well.
I agree with Linda. I feel Hillary as president would be toxic politics for at least 4 more years and possible 8. Our country is so polarized now and getting even more polarized as we speak.
For all this talk about fighting terrorism, no enemy could do more damage to us than what our politics is doing to us. We are a house divided pretty evenly down the middle.
I think this is why Obama is being so well received. He is a mixed race man that has a reputation of working with his opposing colleagues to come to some compromise. That message is very appealing to the moderates in both parties. And whether it be women or men, I think the next election will be up to the moderates to take both fringes to task for all this polarization.
wiseman – eprhaps she didn’t cower but arther found a way to exploit the situation to get what she wanted. And, as leader of our country, perhaps she can find ways to get what we want without using the bull-in-the-china-shop approach.
P-mom, WS:
Are you saying that it is impossible to oppose Hillary on her ideology/politics/issues, and that any opposition one might have to Hillary is based upon her gender?
Upon just what do you base such a ridiculous position?
“It takes a good strong man to not feel threatened by a woman in power.”
Which definitely leaves out Republican men. ;)
The “Bradley Effect.” Interesting. While married during Clinton’s first run for president, my spouse insisted I vote for Bush. It was more a command than anything. I was tired of arguing, tired of reminding him that, because I voted earlier in the day, it was HIS vote cancelling out mine. (He always said my vote cancelled out his.) In the end, when he came home after voting that evening after work, I told him I voted for Perot. He probably still believes that.
“Are you saying that it is impossible to oppose Hillary on her ideology/politics/issues, and that any opposition one might have to Hillary is based upon her gender?”
Jesus H Christ, can you right wingers read ANYTHING without twisting it?
Really.
I suggested that there would be people that claimed to support Hillary but would vote against her in private.
I never f’ing said that ANY opposition to H. Clinton would based on gender. That is just total bullshit.
God damn – try to read what I wrote not what you wanted to hear.
The far right are the ones who will oppose Hillary- and the far right will demonize ANY nominee. If you think Hillary will polarize more than anyone else- just remember how they treated Kerry and Gore.
Moderates like Hillary.
WS -
Please drop the expletives. They do not advance your case; just the opposite. Obscenity is the last refuge of the man with nothing to say.
However, you wrote, verbatim:
“I have to say that I am amused by men that try to come up with ANY reason to be against Hillary without actually saying that they would not vote for a woman. They twist themselves into knots trying avoid being honest.”
I’d say that I fairly characterized your writing. If you didn’t mean what it appears you said, I understand that; English is sometimes a poor communicator. But what you said is in fact what you said.
And P-mom: The far left will likewise demonize any Republican nominee. That’s the way the game is played, I’m afraid. And Hillary (old carpetbag herself!) brings her demons with her; her negatives are fairly high. Hillary may have spent the last few years positioning herself as a moderate, but few of us are fooled. She is what she is, for better or worse.
“I am amused by men”
That is what I wrote, GMC. I absolutely DID not say that people, male or female, could not have a legitimate opposition to H. Clinton.
I said that Hillary has opposition that is opposed because she is female.
Barack Obama will have opposition because he is black. Hillary Clinton will have opposition because she is female.
Some people will lie about their support for each candidate – some will vote differently from their public position once they are in the voting booth.
That was my statement – and you chose to twist that into something completely different than what I wrote – hence a few choice words directed at you.
As others here have suggested – get over it.
PMom: I am a moderate (wirhin the 67% Bell Curve), and I would not vote for Billary with a gun to my head. She is a phony bitch! (Have you noticed how she turns her ’smile’ on and off at will?). She is Rosie O’Donnell in drag! No wonder that Bill got involved with the pudgy gal — I don’t blame him, for that, at least! Chelsea has more going for herself than the two of them collectively.
Damn, I’m, typing like Ben — * “within the …”
;^) rm – meanwhile I am also in the 67% curve but might vote for her – depends on who the other choices are.
Ben — Unless the other choice is Brownback,,,,nah, I’ll just shoot myself!!!!
I don’t think she’s phoney, she’s driven. And some people just can’t handle that from a woman.
Rm, who did you vote for in the past two elections?
Hillary ClynToN is about as liberal as one can get!
I mean Holy WhiteWater!
Plus she has a temper that even the Secret Service grew to hate! Don’t vote for that BIPOLAR Lib!
She’s poison on a stick!
Bush x 2 — but, I still hope for the day that I can actually vote FOR someone, instead of voting against the other yahoo !!
I would vote for Anna Nicole Smith before I would vote for Billary, and Anna Nicole couldn’t spell “CAT”, if you spotted her the “C” and the “T” !!!
As I’ve said many times, she has a very high “dislike factor”. I genuinely hope she gets the nomination – just to ensure a GOP victory.
GNut: While you DO have a point there, I would like her to go away!
I have to strongly disagree, RM. Anna Nicole Smith could easily spell “CAT,” given that you spot her the “C” and the “T”
She just couldn’t spell it CORRECTLY.
Just as GWB cannot say “NUCLEAR.”
so Rm you’re a republican and not even likely to vote for ANY democrat no matter what.
PMom: Driven???? So was Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, Mussolini, Khomeini. et al. What’s your point, dear ?
DA,I have to strongly disagree.Dubya CAN say ‘nuclear’ correctly. He just chooses not to – just to watch the simpletons gnaw on it.
No, actually, I have voted for several Democrats in the last 40+ years and proud that I did. I voted for the person, not the affiliation.
I would not vote for Billary, regardless of what she called herself!
rm, to compare Hillary to Stalin, your republicanism is showing.
You voted for the worst president ever. And people like me who like Hillary and Bill Clinton, have obviously made the wiser decision.
I wouldn’t vote for Bush no matter what- you did and that says a lot.
BTW, Hillary isn’t the one who is trying to dismantle the constitution, that’d be your buddies.
Hitleresque I’d say.
It depends on what the meaning of “is” is!!!
If I recall correctly, I’ve never said I was FOR Bush … just against Billary.
Still don’t like the appearance of a 2 family royal dynasty.
But I am starting to like Hillary BECAUSE the right hates her so much.
Could it all be a political feint on their part?
No matter. Dems must choose our nominee carefully. Whoever it is IS going to be President because the GOP has nothing.