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Hate Her or Love Her, Hillary Clinton Embodies America

By Michael Lawler

Staff Writer

Let me start by saying, I disagree with Hillary Rodham Clinton on almost every political position she has.  I would have voted for Ronald Reagan twice, George H.W. Bush twice, and George W. Bush twice.  However, over the course of the last 14 months, I have watched Hillary Clinton battle for the nomination of her party and along the way my disdain and distrust of her has slowly washed away.

After seeing over a dozen candidates on both sides of the spectrum vie for the Presidency, I can say without equivocation, Hillary Clinton is far and away the most prepared, intelligent, capable, and qualified candidate to become the 44^th President of the United States.  Republican Nominee John McCain can clearly lay claim to the question of who is most qualified to be Commander in Chief—the most important job of the Presidency—however, Senator Clinton has laid forth the most detailed economic and social policies, that show her incredible understanding of how government works.  On issues ranging from health care to home foreclosures, from NAFTA to the War in Iraq, from green technology to foreign policy, Senator Clinton has shown the breadth of her knowledge and attention to detail, leaving no doubt that she is the new “Iron Lady.” 

From her years in the White House as First Lady, she was to Bill Clinton what Margaret Thatcher was to Ronald Reagan, a hard-nosed strong-willed commanding presence, who spoke through the voice and perspective of a woman.  While it’s clear Hillary Clinton’s signature was not on the bottom of documents, let there be no doubt, Senator Clinton was the most influential advisor to the President and arguably the most powerful woman in the world during the 1990’s.  Since Margaret Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister of Britain in 1979, there have been over 50 women elected to the role of head of state since Lady Thatcher.  However, in America—the land of opportunity—there has been zero.  Another unsurprising fact, in one of the most diverse states in the country, Hillary Clinton was the first elected woman statewide when she became the Junior Senator from New York in 2000.

Women were first granted the right to vote under the 19^th Amendment in 1920, 50 years after African American men were “granted” the right to vote.  Does anyone else find it disturbing that it took 80 years after women were granted the right to vote to elect a woman statewide in New York?  I wonder how many of you know that Manhattan College used to be exclusively attended by males until 1973.  Women now make up for roughly 49% of the undergraduate student body.  While we have come a long way in both race and gender relations over the course of the 20^th century, we obviously have not come far enough.

While almost every supporter of Barack Obama would say they are voting for him not because of his policies, but rather because of his messages of hope, inspiration, and change, I would argue Hillary Clinton’s candidacy embodies all of those messages and more.  The American dream has always shown that possibilities are endless and dreams are boundless.  However, it has been clear over the course of this campaign the American dream holds true as long as you are not a woman.  We can argue about the role of race in this campaign as it is clear on that front, there are Americans who will not vote for Barack Obama for no other reason than he is an African American, however I want to examine the idea that our country is consciously and subconsciously sexist.

 A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll suggested 34% of Americans believe the country is not ready for a female to be President, compared to 26% of respondents who believe that an African American should not be the leader of the free world.  Both numbers are equally troubling as they show our country has deep roots of prejudice and bigotry that we have been unable to break.  As high as the number of respondents who believe we aren’t ready for a woman President are, I believe the numbers to be even higher.  Exits polls have continually shown voters believe Hillary Clinton is more prepared to be Commander in Chief on day one and ready to assume the office of the Presidency because of her vast experience and knowledge.  If people did not feel that way about FDR or Reagan they never would have been elected and re-elected.  So why then is Clinton struggling to clinch the nomination of her party?   The answer is simple, a majority of Americans do not believe a woman is capable of actually being President.  Some would say, “No, I think a woman is capable, I just don’t like Hillary.”  To that I say, nonsense.  Men are threatened by the notion of a woman with power, unless her name is Angelina Jolie.  Hillary Clinton represents strength, courage, and compassion.  However, she gets ridiculed for not showing emotion, and then when she does shed a tear she gets lambasted for not being able to control her emotions.  Which one is it?  Would you tell your mother she is weak for crying?  Would you make fun of your sister for expressing herself?  Would you tell your girlfriend she’s incapable?  Americans across the nation have this notion that women cannot control their emotions, that women cannot make decisions under pressure, and of course they always bring up the image of a woman with her finger on the button that would launch a nuclear bomb. Over the course of the campaign the pundits have played into the stereotypes facing women and continually blasted Senator Clinton, making jokes about what she was wearing, how many wrinkles were on her face, parodying her laugh and emotion, and using subtle language that was both degrading and offensive to women.  Of course everyone needs a sense of humor and certainly self-deprecating humor at that, but when the mainstream media continually shows their disdain and bias, after a while—and by that I mean, after about an hour—it is troubling, as many voters base their decision on what they hear.  However, the good news for Clinton has been, everytime she appears to be on the verge of elimination, women rally around her giving her defining victories that continually show women—51% of the total population—have the power to make a difference. While Barack Obama faces significant challenges as the first serious African American with a chance to become President, no one is questioning whether he can be President because of his skin color, they are questioning whether he is qualified because of his experience.  In the case of Hillary Clinton, the first serious woman with a chance to become President, it is quite the opposite, no one is challenging her experience, they are questioning whether she is capable of being President because of her gender—although some would say they just do not trust her. 

I would say, politics is politics.  Let me rephrase that.  Politicians are politicians.  No one is above the fray.  They all have the same Type-A personality, and they need it in order to survive.  For men this is viewed as an asset, for women it is a liability, as people view them as too tough and not compassionate enough.  For Hillary Clinton and women across the country, this is a battle they have been fighting for their entire lives and one that will not end after this epic campaign.

We have seen many history making events in regards to women and African Americans.  From Thurgood Marshall to Sandra Day O’Connor.  From Martin Luther King, Jr. to Billie Jean King.  From Jackie Robinson to Amelia Earhart.  From Sidney Poitier to Halle Berry.  From Tiger Woods to Oprah Winfrey.  From Michael Jordan to Nancy Pelosi.  Unfortunately for Democrats, the historical firsts of a viable-woman candidate and viable African-American candidate could not come at a worse time for each.  The two narratives are battling towards the finish line, launching one group towards redefining history and leaving the other to heal fresh wounds upon century’s deep scars.

Barack Obama and his supporters have used a message of “Yes We Can!” while Hillary Clinton has loudly stated, “Yes We Will!”  The difference may be subtle, but it is striking.  The determination and grit of Senator Clinton is one of a fighter.  She has shown time and again she can not only take her share of punches – she can deliver them.  While she has not earned my vote, Hillary Clinton has earned something far more important, she’s earned my respect.  I have admiration for anyone who believes in themselves enough to fight back, to stand up to those who say, “You Can’t and You Won’t!” and tells them, “I Can and I Will!” 

(a) The Art of Political Murder by Francisco Goldman – a haunting tale of incredible tragedy surrounding the cold-blooded murder of a leading public rights advocate. Reported in a highly readable narrative that describes a mind-blowing array of cover-up and deception. This book carefully projects the long-term effects that hate and evil can have on a people, a government, and a nation. In short, this is virology 101.

(b) Gomorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples’ Organized Crime System by Robert Saviano. This book has been the rage of the summer/fall reading season in Europe due in large part to the simply shocking first person revelations about the historically intertwined relationship in Naples/Puglia of organized crime. The tragedy here is that decent people are forced to make impossible choices with all-too-predictable outcomes.

This remains a very hotly contested topic and one that has tremendous concern for all of us. Being branded as smart or otherwise can have such an adverse impact, especially on the young and impressionable. Is anything crueler than being told to sit still and be quiet when the teacher likes to hear the “smart” kid’s answers. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I am curious to know anyone’s feedback on the following article and radio program.

Please let us know your thoughts ….

(a) Malcom Gladwell on the IQ Debate – gladwell-iq.pdfgladwell-iq.pdf

(b) http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2007/12/20071217_b_main.asp

(c) http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/view/id/36

This is Daniel Goleman’s powerful follow-up to his NY Times Bestseller, Social Intelligence. The book is a terrific entry-point for those of us who are curious as to how the brain has evolved over time. This book is particularly fascinating because if offers tremendous insight into how the human brain has adapted to the widest range of variables. For an introduction into Coleman’s style, I would direct you to the wonderful presentation he made at last years TED Conference, which was driven from a chapter in this book – http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/200