Clinton and her sister supporters are hanging tough

[rinsd]

July 25, 2007, 7:54PM

Clinton and her sister supporters are hanging tough

By MARIANNE MEANS
Hearst Newspapers

When New York Sen. Hillary Clinton was asked at Monday's CNN-YouTube presidential debate how she answered commentary that she might not be "satisfactorily feminine," Clinton replied with a smile, "Well, I couldn't run as anything other than a woman."

That quip got a friendly laugh from the live audience at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., but of course the fact she is the first female to have a serious shot at the presidency is never far from any voter's mind. Even her husband, former President Bill Clinton, felt compelled to defend her by saying, "I don't think she's trying to be a man."

The role of gender in politics has traditionally been an insurmountable obstacle to becoming commander in chief. It has represented the ultimate glass ceiling. Every poll makes a point of noting her support — or lack of it — among women. And not every woman loves her, or identifies with her.

But in truth she is doing quite well with the sisterhood. The fact that we're stuck with a male president who is one of the biggest domestic and foreign policy bumblers in American history surely helps. The argument that men always know best falls on its face when it comes to George Bush. Three new polls show Hillary maintaining a double-digit lead over her nearest Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

More at the link - http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/4999779.html

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