Why Some Feminists are Choosing an Old White Guy over Hillary

[dana_b]

https://modeofexpression.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/why-some-feminists-are-choosing-an-old-white-guy-over-hillary/

Much has been made of the possibility of America’s first female president, especially coming on the heels of our first African American president. Hillary Clinton has capitalized on this, as well she should in her debates, speeches, etc. She has called herself an outsider based on her gender. Interesting point which I disagree with wholeheartedly but there is some truth there.

I recently came across an article on Feministing, DEAR NEW YORK TIMES: THE REAL REASON YOUNG FEMINISTS REJECT HILLARY that sought to make clear why Feminists, young ones in particular do not support Hillary Clinton. Certainly the clear take away is that we are not uneducated and apathetic. We have not had it “too easy” as some would say. Most important to me is the disrespectful nature of some HRC supporters to the people of color that support Bernie Sanders. It rings so similar to what Republicans say about democratic voters and their justification for gerrymandering. That being said this feminist supports Bernie Sanders for a myriad of reasons.

1. (read the rest up there)

Good article and she does go on to say that of course she doesn't speak for all young feminists, but it definitely made THIS feminist feel better about my own reasons for supporting Bernie. Sometimes I have wondered why it is that I just can't connect with Hillary and this article articuated a lot of what I think.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. An excellent article, and full of the reasons why this old lady supprts Bernie.

Thank you for posting it!

K&R

[TDale313]

2. Middle aged woman here, proud Feminist, and a Bernie supporter.

[tblue37]

6. I am 65, female, feminist--and a Bernie supporter. nt

[BernTheRich]

10. Me too!

[williesgirl]

3. Same here, a feminist who supports Bernie. Also a senior.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. I agree. White lady here.

I told people when I was in law school that just because a woman was appointed to the Supreme Court, which was Sandra Day O'Connor, didn't mean that she would be liberal or rule in favor of women.

This was over 30 years ago!!!

[Dont call me Shirley]

5. Older Feminist here, Feelin the Bern!

[SheilaT]

7. Yet another old feminist here.

I'm only a year or so younger than Hillary, and I have never, ever connected to her. Not sure why. But I simply don't feel that she has any sense of what my life has been like, and yet she tries to present herself as representing people like me. My specific details aren't very important, but I can tell you they are nothing like hers. The fact that we are both white women, almost the same age, is highly misleading.

I suppose if she's the nominee I'll vote for her next November, but it won't be willingly or happily.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. "I have wondered why it is that I just can't connect with Hillary"

That's because Hillary has a problem connecting to voters so the campaign flipped it. Now it's your job to connect with her and if you can't than there's something wrong with you.

[dana_b]

12. good observation

I know it's because fundamentally I disagree with so many of her views, the way she panders and speaks down to people, and that I believe that she's a liar... but she's a woman so I'm supposed to like her, right???

[Spitfire of ATJ]

14. She IS "The Most Qualified"....

(I think I was supposed to add this: ©)

[zentrum]

9. Excellent points.

Real feminists don't just support the biology but the feminist policy. Myself and all women in my family, all feminists, of several ages, all support Bernie.

I mean—wasn't Thatcher a woman too?

Also, there's a feeling among women I know that Hillary is not the ideal role model because she made it up through a powerful man and her marriage to him. There are few more powerful Democrats than Bill. Not sure that's the message we want to send to young women——as an example of how to break the ceiling.

[dana_b]

13. another great point

I do think that Hillary has been a tremendous help to Bill and that he may not have been as successful if she were not his wife, but it's true that it's been easier for her than well, let's say Thatcher or Warren or Barbara Boxer or any other number of female politicians because they didn't have that successful political male to work with.

[Left Coast2020]

11. Someone posted here 2 weeks ago that her presumptiveness has the women vote locked up

They posted some poll that 60-70% of women voters are going to Hillary. I say BS.

But then again, I know how polls work. I spent several years in a newsroom for crying out loud. Not much gets past me.