A Woman President?

There are those who believe America isn't ready for a woman president. Don't count me among them. If a woman was running, whom I believed was the best qualified person to serve in that capacity I'd vote for her in a heart beat. As a historian, I know that there is a long history of women serving effectively as national leaders. I just watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Elizabeth I of England was one of England's greatest monarchs. Catherine the Great of Russia was one of her country's great leaders. I may not be a big fan of Margaret Thatcher, but she was a strong an effective leader. Golda Meier and Indira Gandhi can be added to that number. Benazir Bhutto might not have been the most effective leader, but she was elected Prime Minister of a Muslim country, and women have led several other Muslim countries. So, there is plenty of precedent for a woman leader.
So the question we're facing now isn't whether America is ready for a woman President, but whether Hillary Clinton is that person. I think that she has many very strong qualities, but she has serious weaknesses as well. Some of the criticism is disgusting and distasteful -- and anti-woman.
But there are other issues that stand before us, including issues of judgment.
And, as Maureen Dowd writes today, part of her problem is the fact that she is wrapped up in her husband's career. If his presidency was a two-fer, so will hers. They are one and the same thing. Although Bill Clinton had remarkable qualities, he his massive problems as well.
Dowd writes of Hillary:

As a possible first Madame President, Hillary is a flawed science experiment because you can’t take Bill out of the equation. Her story is wrapped up in her marriage, and her marriage is wrapped up in a series of unappetizing compromises, arrangements and dependencies.

Instead of carving out a separate identity for herself, she has become more entwined with Bill. She is running bolstered by his record and his muscle. She touts her experience as first lady, even though her judgment during those years on issue after issue was poor. She says she’s learned from her mistakes, but that’s not a compelling pitch.

And she concludes her comments on the impact of Hillary's candidacy for women.

If Hillary fails, it will be her failure, not ours.

I think that is true. There are some strong women leaders emerging -- Kathleen Sebelius and Janet Napolitono to name just two. Both have been successful governors of Red States. Both could be on the short list of Obama VP candidates. So, this isn't about women, it's about Hillary.

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