http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/why-i-want-hillary-to-be-president/2008/03/12/1205126007216.htmlHere is an example of the phenomenon, found by Googling "hate Hillary Clinton". In an article in The Washington Post, Richard Cohen says that more than 30 books have been written about her, many of them "vituperative and ugly". "They have questioned Hillary's honesty, sexuality, parenting, wifing and just about everything else … Hillary has come to personify all that is wrong with Bill, the Democrats, liberals, working women, independent women and women of a certain kind — which is any kind you don't happen to like. No man could possibly match her in that department — or departments."
Obama has done what Hillary did not dare do — run for president before having served a long political apprenticeship. Women are different. Generally they set out to prove that they deserve to be chosen by being good girls and climbing up the ladder step by step. At the same time they attempt the impossible — to proceed to the top without stumbling at all.
In America, many Democrats are saying they like Hillary and Obama. Not much separates their policies. Whoever wins the nomination, it will be a watershed election, an historic occasion. Are you backing Hillary because she is the underdog? a friend asked. Yes, was the answer. As the more experienced candidate, she shouldn't be struggling like this. If so many people hate her for the wrong reasons, then maybe that means the symbolism of a woman president is the symbolism the world needs most.
Katherine Kizilos is a senior writer.