http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/articles/2007/01/28/opinion/mopin6ditorial, Jan. 28: Gender neutral
Saturday, January 27, 2007 8:11 PM CST
ISSUE: A female president
OUR VIEW: Consider this
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s announcement that she will seek the American presidency raises many questions about her personally, but more importantly about a woman serving as the commander in chief. When you start to formulate your answers and begin to plan your vote, consider these points.
First ladies led America in the past, although behind the scenes. Edith Bolling Galt Wilson is sometimes called the “Secret President” and the “first woman to run the government” because her husband, President Woodrow Wilson, suffered a debilitating stroke while in office. Eleanor Roosevelt is well known for her role as a political helpmate to spouse Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
More recently, strong, intelligent women capably earned top leadership positions: U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first speaker of the house just this year — two heartbeats away from the presidency; Madeleine Albright was the first female secretary of state in 1997, just four steps down the succession. Since then Condoleezza Rice held that same position, having already served as the national security adviser. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, wife of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is 11th in the presidential succession. Janet Reno was the first female attorney general of the United States.
After the 2006 election, there are 71 women are in the House and 16 in the Senate, a new record for both chambers. There are more female governors than ever with five in office.
Rep. Geraldine Ferraro unsuccessfully ran for vice president in 1984 with Sen. Walter Mondale. When Rep. Shirley Chisholm formally announced her candidacy on Jan. 25, 1972, she became the first woman and the first black to seek the Democratic nomination for the nation’s highest office. Other women have been considered likely candidates, including Rep. Pat Schroeder in 1987.
It is unlikely that having a woman as president of the United States would lower the country’s prestige worldwide. Women hold power in several countries, many following the example of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. There are 19 female leaders in power in 2007. In those countries, stereotypes have been pushed aside enough. But America, the land of freedom of choice and democracy, still is stuck in the quagmire of the past.
Just as a male candidate might be judged on the basis of his spouse, so might a woman. This could be a help or a hindrance. Recently, women successfully have wielded more power in the role of first lady, and so might the “first husband.” The concept of a tag-team presidency is not new.
When it comes time to vote, women hold the big stick. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women are approximately 52 percent of the country’s population. More and more of them are voters: vote.com says women are 54 percent of the registered vote. Women are lawyers, CEOs and members of Congress. Women also are mothers, homemakers and Girl Scout troop leaders. That means a female leader may connect with voters more now than ever.
A president should be chosen based on what makes that person successful: experience in state or federal government and politics; the political cabinet, appointees and whether the president listens to them; personal background and education.
Gender shouldn’t figure into the equation.
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