The Electorate WILL NOT accept a strong woman leader.

[denem]

I beg to differ.

I lived in England in the mid eighties. The electorate were all too accepting of a strong woman leader. A leader who claimed her popularity by sinking a Argentine ship,the Belgrano killing all on board, precipitating the war she sought. A leader who glorified in crushing the unions, sending SAS troops to the picket lines. A leader whose toxic brand of economics devastated British manufacturing in a way the Reagan administration could only dream of.

I am not comparing Hillary Clinton to Margaret Thatcher as politicians. I abhor sexism. I am as much disturbed by countless jeers about 'tears' and 'panties in a knot' as the RW filth such as Billary, But I am asking for some respect for those here who say 'a woman - but not this woman'

Whether it's iron clad, like Thatcher, or marshmallow tough like Pelosi, gender is at best one factor for casting a vote. I don't think many little girls in the Thatcher era were inspired by a woman who could do and be anything.

My thoughts about Hillary is we will not be 'electing a woman in the White House' we will be putting in a tight cabal around Hillary, chosen by their loyalty, rather than competence, advising her on what leadership looks like. It won't a consolation to say, hey, I didn't vote for Mark Penn.

[tyne]

1. Thank you

"But I am asking for some respect for those here who say 'a woman - but not this woman'"

[UALRBSofL]

3. You know I said a year ago

Even with the polls showing Hillary ahead that she would never win and the reason was because america isn't ready for a woman. It's basically the mens vote that would stall a women from getting into office. It doesn't matter what female it is.

[denem]

4. That's not how I see it.

Men and the Commander in Chief thing is a poisonous combination. But if there was a republican woman who came across like Thatcher, I don't think it would be a problem. I believe that the gender gap between man and women supporting Hillary masks her overall unpopularity. Some women are prepared to put aside their reservations with the candidate to break the highest, hardest glass ceiling of them all.

[cloudythescribbler]

21. Well, surely having the female politician with THE HIGHEST negative ratings run isn't much of a ...

test of that theory. I think that it is not a matter of very much time before a woman successfully wins the presidency. And in part because there might be so much disappointment in some quarters, I think Obama might very well strongly be inclined to run with a woman (even if not HRC) on the ticket, with one possibility being Barbara Boxer (even though the Governator would have a shot at appointing his temporary successor if the Dems win the WH).

[JimGinPA]

2. You Nailed it. nt

[havocmom]

5. a-yup. Just as there are some men who I never want in the WH, there are some women not suited too

Voting for or against someone based solely on gender is probably not a majority reaction. The INDIVIDUAL running for office matters to most people, no the gender or race. This year is proving that point.

[denem]

7. To be honest _- I do not want to see Mark Penn in the White House

on a casual or permanent basis. He may be a her most trusted strategist, but from the moment He got involved in 2005 ... Doma, Welfare reform. soccer moms . slicing and dicing. the whole bit. PLEASE Hillary - ditch him now.

[Darth_Kitten]

8. Better a clearly inexperienced male over any really qualified female?

Yeah, this year is REALLY, REALLY proving THIS point. :eyes:

[denem]

11. No - experience is important.

That's the point. Judge the candidates on their merits. It's very reasonable to consider how having a woman president would change the way society looks at itself. But come to a conclusion about what sort of presidency they would lead. I don't want a Penn driven presidency, neither do I want a neophyte presidency overwhelmed by the economy and old had republicans. The choice is ours, and either way involves risks. In making that judgment, I don't think a gender war or race was is helpful. And yes the sexism in the MSM should be confronted - and not just when this election is over.

[HooptieWagon]

17. Yes, experience is an asset,

but not a necessity. Judgement and competence are far more important - and given how she's run her campaign I'd say she has neither. I'm all ready for a woman president - let's hope that when the time comes, she would be the standard bearer for competence and judgement. We're not at that point now.

[havocmom]

24. Judgment for picking associates is important too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4398442

[HooptieWagon]

29. yes, you judge a person's character by their associates n/t

[Eurobabe]

6. K & R

Excellent. I would GLADLY support a woman. I just want the Clintons back in the White House.

So sue me.

[nomorewhopper]

9. bravo great post

[BlackVelvet04]

10. Well, at least this is a new justification....

I still call bullshit. It wouldn't matter who the woman is there would still be all these bullshit "reasons".

[denem]

12. Yeah - well I hope we never see a Republican Maraget Thatcher

... you are in for a rude surprise.

[UALRBSofL]

22. Blackvelvet have you seen any polls

showing a woman as president. I faintly remember a poll sometime back and it reflected a low percentage of a woman to take office. I don't have a link, sorry, because I remember reading it a while back. Anyway, my point is a man stands a higher chance of being in office then a woman.

[Barack_America]

13. Thank God. I thought you were suggesting that Barack and Michelle would have to get divorced.

That Americans wouldn't support her.

I think we're ready for another strong woman in the WH too!

[denem]

15. TV is full of Britney, Pairis, who broke up with whom.

I feel there is a deep need for strong women leaders to be seen as a role model on the MSN. I fear more, a failed woman presidency, with every two bit misogynist trotting out their sexist hate: Should have learned to to bake cookies. :puke:

The MSM should be called out on their sexism, every day, every week, not just in the election season.

[ORDem]

14. I'm for Obama, but this is horse crap. n/t

[denem]

16. Please Explain?

At heart. I am asking for respect for those who say 'A woman - but not this woman'

[Medusa]

18. It's not the fact that she's a woman that turns voters off

it's that she's Hillary CLINTON. They know her. And what they know, they don't like. I honestly don't think sexism has anything to do with it.

[Evergreen Emerald]

20. The evidence of sexism disputes your comments

[denem]

26. I believe sexism is being used against Hillary Clinton.

I don't approve at all. And because sexism continues to be 'overlooked' unchallenged week and week, not least on the MDM, it gives her enemies ready weapons to use against her.

What I have asked for is respect for those saying 'a woman - not this woman'. If a Repub version of Thatcher was running, I would do all I could to oppose her, but would try to stay clear of sexist hate.

[Beausoir]

19. As history has shown, there is always a man who is just a little bit better.

Over and over again. That's the rationale. People claim they would support a woman in the White House, but the men always manage to get elected. Over and over. Sexism..pure and simple.

[BooScout]

23. If you lived in England.......

Then you know full well the 'electorate' as you call it did not accept Thatcher easily. First off, the general population had nothing to do with her being the PM..........the Tory MPs did. The 'electorate' never voted for her in the first place.

[denem]

25. After the Falklands war and the miners strike.

they were only too willing to accept her. My point is not that being a 'strong' woman is not the handicap that some feminists argue. I remember all those 'Tougher than Mrs T' ads, it's how effective a female politician can leverage her appeal. Thatcher's appeal was only too obvious.

[BooScout]

27. The 'electorate' as you put it........

Had no choice but to accept her. She was never elected by any sort of popular vote by the general population. It comparing apples to oranges.

[Vinca]

28. A strong woman leader would certainly be accepted, but

you can't expect someone to win just by being a woman and strong. The same goes for a strong black leader.

[Thepricebreaker]

30. Who said that? Your making an argument so you can just hear yourself talk.

There have been plenty of Strong Woman leaders so your whole post is moot.