Hillary Clinton Is the Perfect Age To Be President

[Purveyor]

Forget politics — she's biologically primed to be a leader

Dr. Julie Holland @bellevuedoc
12:37 PM ET

At 67, Hillary Clinton is now a “woman of a certain age.” So much emphasis and worry are put on physical aging in women that the emotional maturity and freedom that can come at this time are given short shrift. That robs everyone of a great natural resource. As women of a certain age, it is our time to lead. The new standard for aging women should be about vitality, strength, and assertiveness.

One of the largest demographics in America is women in their forties to sixties, and by 2020 there will be nearly 60 million peri- and post-menopausal women living in the United States. Because women’s average life expectancy is currently 81 years, we’re easily spending a third of our lives postmenopausal. That is a great opportunity for growth and change.

The long phase of perimenopause is marked by seismic spikes and troughs of estrogen levels, which can last for more than a decade in many women. But afterward, there is a hormonal ebbing that creates a moment of great possibility. As a psychiatrist, I will tell you the most interesting thing about menopause is what happens after. A woman emerging from the transition of perimenopause blossoms. It is a time for redefining and refining what it is she wants to accomplish in her third act. And it happens to be excellent timing for the job Clinton is likely to seek. Biologically speaking, post-menopausal women are ideal candidates for leadership. They are primed to handle stress well, and there is, of course, no more stressful job than the presidency.

Estrogen is a stress hormone that helps a woman be resilient during her fertile years. It rises and falls to help her meet her biological demands, which are often about giving to others: attracting a mate, bearing children, and nurturing our family. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, the cyclical forces that dominated the first half of our lives have been replaced with something more consistent. Our lives become less revolved around others’ and more about finally taking our turn.

In my new book, Moody Bitches, I look at how women are taught from an early age that moodiness is a problem to be fixed. That is simply wrong-headed. Women’s moods are our body’s intelligent feedback system. If we learn to manage them properly, they are a great resource and a tremendous source of power. They show us when we are primed for certain challenges and opportunities.

more...

http://time.com/3763552/hillary-clinton-age-president/

[Politicalboi]

1. Every woman is different

I went through menopause and had no trouble with hot flashes. I had night sweats but that was it. I take no medication or estrogen. I would still prefer Hillary to be younger, below 60 would be great.

[Purveyor]

2. I would still prefer that Hillary isn't our 'anointed' candidate. Just saying... eom

[Divernan]

3. HRC lacks vitality & strength, & relies on + 200 advisors to direct any assertiveness.

The book's author opines: The new standard for aging women should be about vitality, strength, and assertiveness.

First there's the Hillary and her over 200 advisors problem. We know she's assertive, especially when it comes to speechifying/cheerleading for Goldman-Sachs, or urging military interventions/wars. But assertiveness which is triangulated based upon polling, opinion groups and sucking up to potential corporate donors has nothing to do with womanly wisdom accumulated with age. It's strictly eyes-on-the-prize, say whatever it takes to get elected. If she were elected, it would be Let the Good Times, i.e., the corporate quid pro quos, Roll.

Fineman mentioned that Our Next President™ has more than 200 economic advisors, which he said sounds great until one realizes it means that she has no particular idea of her own as to the right way forward, i.e., she's totally flailing. Totally stumped. Which is why we aren't hearing from her.

Of course, things quickly devolved into a discussion of Hillary vs. Warren. The DLC woman said that none of this Progressive crap matters anyway because Hillary and Warren would do the same same things as President. Finemen wasn't buying it, at all: he said that Warren was about going after a system that's corrupt to the core and which needs to be blown to smithereens and rebuilt, whereas Hillary was basically OK with the way things are - maybe a few changes, but nothing fundamental.

That's it. That's exactly the difference.

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/02/17/clinton-warren-2016-democratic-party-populism-economy
http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/10026246568

It's about time we all started looking at "strength and vitality", as per the op link. There's the whole issue of HRC's health history, both the known episodes and the unknown. Warren is dynamic and energetic and looks to be in good physical condition. HRC? None of the above. This is not about physical attractiveness; it's about health history, physical fitness and personal energy level and being able to handle the demands of the campaign trail and the Oval Office.

I'm close in age to both women, have MANY female friends in that age bracket, and many of us have to struggle to keep our weight under control (Damn you, Cadbury Easter eggs!) That would be a lot easier if I could afford a personal dietician, a physical fitness coach and the latest high tech exercise equipment. HRC has the financial resources to avail herself of every possible method to maintain a healthy weight. So why is she an unhealthy, obese, size 18? Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. HRC is at least 50% over her ideal weight. Obesity, as we all know, is associated with decreased energy levels and increased risk of illness, disability, and death.

When she left the SOS office and pretty much disappeared from public view for months, I expected her to make a gargantuan effort to get herself back in a healthy physical shape in preparation for a campaign. She'd watched Bill lose a significant amount of weight, and should know what is required to do so. One explanation is that she may be on some medication which results in weight gain. Prescription drugs used for mood disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure and seizures, among others, can have that effect.

Bottom line: any candidate's health is a legitimate concern, and weight is a major factor thereof.

[enough]

7. HRC is 50% over her ideal weight?

This whole screed sounds off to me. You are going to guess at her dress size, then use that as a reason why she shouldn't be President?

I'm no fan of hers, but I have the feeling the personal attacks coming at her from all angles are going to make me more willing to vote for her in the end if it comes to that.

[Divernan]

12. Google healthy weight chart for women. HRC is 5'6".

The range of healthy weight, depending upon body type, is 115 to 157. As to her dress size, I gave her the benefit of the doubt to say size 18 - more likely a 22. As I stated in my post up thread, "This is not about physical attractiveness; it's about health history, physical fitness and personal energy level and being able to handle the demands of the campaign trail and the Oval Office.
Bottom line: any candidate's health is a legitimate concern, and weight is a major factor thereof."

Either her health is too fragile for her to lose weight through a diet and exercise regimen, or she lacks the will power. Either way, she is not prepared to handle what many have called the most stressful job in the world.

[Agschmid]

15. Your other post survived a jury...

This seems to be a thinly veiled attempt at sexism... Maybe there a more legitimate reason you could be anti-Hillary?

[awoke_in_2003]

10. I can think of a lot of reasons why she isn't my first choice...

weight is not one of them, and I don't like where that argument comes from.

[Divernan]

13. And do you tell your doctor he/she can't consider your weight?

The "argument" comes from solid medical data. You better scold the Center for Disease Control as well: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes/index.html

What are the consequences of overweight and obesity?
Health Consequences

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:

Coronary heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
Stroke
Liver and Gallbladder disease
Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

[pintobean]

14. Jury results

On Fri Apr 3, 2015, 04:11 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

HRC lacks vitality & strength, & relies on + 200 advisors to direct any assertiveness.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=119104

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

I think this poster is extrapolating WAYYY too much about health based on perceptions of Clinton's appearance. I suspect it is sexist in motive though the poster is careful not to be direct about this. Why is s/he comparing Clinton to Warren, but not to Sanders? And there are plenty of men who are not at their ideal weight but are not disqualified from running on that basis.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Apr 3, 2015, 04:25 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: If we weren't allowed to discuss Chris Christie's ample girth for being accused of being fathphobic we shouldn't be able to discuss HRC's weight as she looks like CHristie could eat her... HIDE THIS MISOGYNISTIC BULLSHIT AND I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS IF I'M THE ONLY VOTE FOR A HIDE.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't think this is hideable. Just crude.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I get the alert but not worth a hide.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The comparison to Warren was made based on the article cited and doesn't appear to be due to a sexist motive. The original post was regarding Hillary and I don't believe this poster needs to draw comparisons to every other possible candidate to prove that.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. Both of these women can't possibly be the same dress size; 22, and they aren't retouched

[GeorgeGist]

4. I would like to see a non-boomer.

They've had 3 turns ... And frankly we haven't done very well.

[Man from Pickens]

6. Ditto

the materialism of the Boomer generation is one of the fundamental drivers that got us into this mess

"he who dies with the most toys wins" = recipe for societal suicide

[LiberalElite]

17. So sorry you were in diapers and day care

and couldn't save the country from us.

[davidsilver]

5. I think Bernie Sanders also is of the right age and, more important, has the best ideas

[DonCoquixote]

8. If a man wrote this

it would RIGHTFULLY be considered sexist, as it assumes that women whoar e younger, not menopausal, somehow cannot make decisions as well as the older one, and it even implies that the post menapsual women are selfish;

Our lives become less revolved around others’ and more about finally taking our turn.


Frankly, I see a lot of old people of both genders who have NEVER revolved their lives around others, and will be trying to get everything and anythign with their last dyign breath, just like they started with their first breath.

[spooky3]

11. Agree

[quadrature]

9. she does not look well...

six months to recover from
a fall(stroke?),
is not a good sign

[blkmusclmachine]

18. n/t

[George Beerlover]

19. Hey, women live longer than us

Now, of course, this doesn't render her choice for Veep any less important, but the "TOTBP" argument is, in Secretary Clinton's case, ludicrous!