It's not "sexist" to want to see a woman president.

[DanTex]

It's ironic that this meme pops up here from time to time, because usually you see it from the right. The idea is preferring a candidate because of their gender (or race) is by definition sexist (or racist) because we should make judgements that don't take into account gender, or race, or anything else like that. In fact, this is one of the principle arguments that the right has made against affirmative action.

And that would be valid if we lived in a world where there weren't any persistent prejudices against certain subgroups. But we don't.

As for me, if all things being equal, I'd vote for a woman over a man. Even if all things are not quite equal, I'd still probably give the nod to the woman. Yes, I know what's coming: "so would you vote for Sarah Palin?" No. Because with Palin, things are not remotely close to equal.


Why would I support a woman over a similarly qualified man? A number of reasons.

It will be a historic step that the US should have taken a long time ago.

It will inspire millions of young girls to see a woman president.

Given the inherent challenges that women face in our society, a woman with a similar resume to a man is likely to be more capable, since they had to fight harder and perform better to get to the same place.

It brings in a different perspective to the presidency. Women have different experiences than men, and despite constituting 50% of the population, they are grossly underrepresented in positions of leadership. The leadership in this country is missing out on the perspectives of people who have experienced life as a woman.

[daleanime]

1. ........

[NCTraveler]

2. K&R.

Historical realities of the Presidency are what is sexist. Spot on.

[Travis_0004]

3. You would vote for somebody less qualified because she is a woman

That is your right, but it seems like a dumb reason to support somebody to me.

[DanTex]

5. If it was close, probably yes. It depends on the individual circumstances, of course.

I think that the value of a woman's perspective, the inspiration to younger women and girls, would be worth voting for someone with slightly weaker credentials on paper.

And, like I explained, if a woman and a man come in with the same resume, the woman is usually more capable because it's more difficult for a woman to reach the same levels of success as a man.

[Duckhunter935]

4. Only if you say you will

Vote for her because she is a woman as I have seen on DU, that is indeed sexist.

[DanTex]

6. Do you also think affirmative action is racist?

[VanillaRhapsody]

7. He won't answer....

but yeah...he does.

[Duckhunter935]

11. If the applicant is qualified, no

[DanTex]

16. Affirmative action means some black students with lower test scores will get admission

over a white student with higher test scores. Do you think that's racist?

[Duckhunter935]

17. I guess I was not clear or maybe you

Have a problem with reading. As long as the person is qualified.

[DanTex]

18. Then why do you have a problem with including Hillary being a woman as a reason to vote for her?

[restorefreedom]

19. because gender is not a qualifying trait to be pres or cic

that decision should be made based on their record, competency, and policy positions. period.

[VanillaRhapsody]

8. I will vote for a Democrat...because I am a Partyist!

[Dawgs]

9. Not something I would brag about, but whatever.

[Dawgs]

10. Who has ever said that WANTING to see a woman president is sexist?

Someone here on DU? Link?

[Warren Stupidity]

12. Palin. NT.

[DanTex]

14. Yeah, I covered that.

[cosmicone]

13. Great post k&r n/t

[Nye Bevan]

15. My daughter is excited to see a woman president as opposed to white male #44.

So sue her.

[YoungDemCA]

20. The irony is that Hillary is very qualified

The misogynists think that wanting a woman and wanting a qualified candidate are mutually exclusive. They're not.

[Vattel]

21. I agree, but the point is moot because Sanders is far better than Clinton (IMHO)