If Not Hillary, Who Will Be The First Female President?

If not her, who?

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton may or may not become the first female president of the United States, but if fate and voters deny her the role, another woman will surely see if the mantle fits.

That woman will come from the South, or west of the Mississippi. She will be a Democrat who has won in a red state, or a Republican who has emerged from the private sector to run for governor. She will have executive experience, and have served in a job like attorney general, where she will have proven herself to be "a fighter" (a caring one, of course).

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[heal57]

It could be anybody. We have good female politicians out there but Billary is not oneof theem. We have the governors of Washington State, Chris Gr [brain fog, can't remember her name and just posted a commentary on her care for our veterans,]; we have Janet Napolitano, gov of Arizona, we have Christy Todd Whitman who had to get of the EPA which George Bush so manhandled. We have good female senators. WE have Gov Kathleen Sebelius [not sure how to spell her name].. One of these ladies or someone else will eventually be president. Let's concentrate on the decency of the person, not the celebrity name. Come on, ladies, we are all in this together. Let's not vote for a woman because she's a woman or a man because he's a man, or a black because he or she is black only. Let pick the best. We can do it when the time it right. THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW FOR SENATOR OBAMA! Don't let the fear mongers scare you. Let's be courageous.

[econdr]

Who will the first female president be? I don't think she's been born yet.

Maybe in 50 years...

[helmboy]

that second picture is Sarah Palin of Alaska. not her. she's to the right of genghis khan.

[LORISNJ]

I think Rachel Maddow would make a great president - also Barbara Boxer.

[Jazzcomedian]

As to when we'll see another serious female candidate for president, it won't be soon, but I'll bet dollars to donuts, it'll be the Democrats that put her up. The Republicans will never do it. All you have to do is look at all their first ladies, and country club trophy wives. The best known activist first lady was a Democrat--Eleanor Roosevelt. When Rosalyn Carter sat in on cabinet meetings, the Republicans pitched such a fit, that she had to stopped. When Hillary Clinton tried to get involved in policy as first lady, the Republican demonized and derailed her health care plan--though it certainly was not flawless. Though Elizabeth Dole made a stab at it, she was never taken seriously by Republican voters, either male or female. The Republicans are not champions of accomplished career women.

[Philly4Obama]

When people like Dee Dee Myers get up and say stuff like "No woman could run with a resume' like Obama's" - she proves how little she understands.

Like myself, Obama supporters do not support Barack because he is male or Black. It is his integrity, his intelligence, his leadership, his ability to build the organization and to inspire it from the bottom up, his committment to change, his fierce urgency for now... Ms. Meyers, unfortunately, is way too cynical to transcend her paradigm. She is not dissimilar from Ferraro who believes Obama is where he is because he is Black... she just hasn't said it out loud.

Clinton with her resume' can't even come close to Obama when it comes to the harmony and completeness of his qualities.

[lvdragonlady]

Bravo !! Totally agree. It is what he believes America can become and change that we all know America needs(if you are truely honest with yourself).

[OverIt]

The more I think about it, the more I feel that Kansas Gov. Katheleen Sebellius would be a great VP candidate: strong executive experience but not a "creature of Washington", demonstrated capability of attracting independent and republican voters as a Dem. governor of a usually red Kansas, known for commitment to working in a strong bi-partisan fashion, Ohio roots as the daughter of a former governor of the state, and a strong advocate for women's and children's issues.

Obama-Sebellius '08!

[Sussanonymous]

A longshot -- she's not even in Congress yet, but Darcy Burner, a Democrat running for a the House in Washington, is impressive. She lost in 2006, but is tracking well this time out. She led a citizens' group that put together a highly praised plan for resolving the Iraq War which actually gotten some attention in the press and in Congress. She bright, action-oriented, firm but friendly, already building bridges between progressives and more conservative members of her party. She's young: if not the first woman president, then maybe the second? (Once is not enough.)

[Annette]

Christine Gregoire is also a possibility.

[aquarius2001]

Maxine Waters!! This woman is tough, smart, and takes no s**t !!!!

[edhillfiker]

Calling out Obama, his supporters and the media for misogynist attacks on Clinton.

The 21st century & still age of Misogyny.

For over 20 years , Barack Obama sat quietly while his spiritual mentor, Jeremiah Wright, maligned America, Jews and advanced conspiracy theories from the alter.
Over the past year, Obama sat quietly while the media and his supporters unfairly used sexism as a means to attack Hillary Clinton. Is this the leader, the unifier, the agent of change we"ve been waiting for?

[aquarius2001]

First of all, I am an Obama supporter AND a woman! So tell me how the hell am I a misogynist? Just because I follow my own mind and have chosen not to choose Hillary?!?!???!!!

Being an independent woman of this century means being able to form your own opinions. So I DEEPLY RESENT your comment that if one doesn't support Hilllary (which alot of folks don't) that your now labeled a misogynist!!!!

That is ridiculous and so are you!

[edhillfiker]

Calling out Obama, his supporters and the media for misogynist attacks on Clinton.

The 21st century & still age of Misogyny.

Rudov, during discussion of Clinton, said " The woman is not called the B-word because she"s assertive and aggressive; she"s called the B-word because she acts like one". (Would this be tolerated if it was said about Obama?)

F..K Hillary. God knows she needs it. Anti-Hillary sign peddled by Obama supporter.

" There were tears that melted the Granite State. And those tears that Mrs. Clinton cried on that day, (it) clearly moved voters�But those tears also have to be analyzed. They have to be looked at very, very carefully in light of Katrina, in light of other things Mrs. Clinton died not cry for.
We saw something very clever, we saw a sensitivity factor. Something that Mrs. Clinton has not been able to do with voters� Not in response to voters, not in response to Katrina, not in response to other issues that have devastated the American people, the war in Iraq, we saw tears in response to her appearance,. So her appearance brought her to tears, but not Katrina". Obama campaign Co-Chair Jesse Jackson, jr., Jan 9, 2008.

[aquarius2001]

No matter how many times you post this.,..it is still IDIOTIC!!!!

[edhillfiker]

Calling out Obama, his supporters and the media for misogynist attacks on Clinton.

The 21st century & still age of Misogyny.

What kind of progressive American leader would stand silent, supporting with the cold reserve of ambition the disgracefully sexist, blatantly anti-feminist attack on a well- respected woman of the same party, a political foe perhaps, but a national Democratic leader?
Barak Obama so far.

Unless Obama speaks out, his campaign"s chilling acceptance of the gender bias stirred by our national media will also remind many of Reagan"s acceptance of the race-baiting southern strategy-because if Obama accepts the presidency, at least in part, because of abject sexism, a brutal gender attack on a female rival-the most famous female Democrat in history-he will set feminism in our country back a generation.

Obama has benefited mightily from sexism in this campaign, and has remained silent.

Journalist Tom Watson.

"The default candidate for Democrats in this race was always going to be Hillary Clinton because she"s Hillary Clinton as opposed to Hillary Rodham" Obama Oct 12, 2007.

Barack and Michelle Obama strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa on Jan 3rd. Jay "Z"s "99 Problems" was blaring. In it, Jay-Z raps "I got 99 problems, but a b--ch ain"t one".

"Stay out of my village B--ch" anti-Hillary t-shirt for sale by Obama supporter.

[aquarius2001]

Even more ridiculous!! What about the RACIST Curious George T-Shirts in WV?

(People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!!)

[Toonadude]

If you"re 25 or younger, MAYBE in your lifetime.

[zendem1]

Lindsay Graham

[avraamjack]

.

MARIA SHRIVER SHWARZENEGGER, after her term as California's governor is over.
.

[panchovilla]

How about Michelle Obama being president?

[Annette]

She seems like an intelligent woman who has worked hard, but I an not interested in dynasties.

[dct1999]

No more wives, please.

[Syco]

thats one of the main reasons i don't like hillary

[RobinL]

I'm from Arizona. Napolitano has been a great govenor. She's single though---and maybe that would throw the electorate. BTW, Arizona might have a different outcome if the race were held today. Everyone I know is thrilled about Obama.

As for Hillary, I had great hopes for her at the beginning---but after watching her methods I don't care what gender she is. I want someone above board and honest in there.

[calluna]

Napolitano is great, but she's unmarried and doesn't have children. That would make it hard for her to make an effective run, since we don't even like to pick male presidents who don't have a wife and a couple of kids.

[aquarius2001]

Definitely!! It kills me how people say Hillary was treated differently and was "picked on". But frankly, the woman held her own!!! She was vicious in all aspects. However, she failed. She failed to run an effective campaign, she failed to capture the majority of votes and she failed to speak candidly with the public.

Her gender had nothing to do with her shortcomings. Her end result would have been the same if she were a man. Period.

[poles]

I agree with RobinL. Honesty and intgegrity would make a difference. Anyone including a woman with honesty and intgegrity would make a good President

[speakingtruth2power]

Hell! It should have been Shirley Chisholm but we got Nixon instead.

[GotRights]

Maybe Eleanor Holmes Norton? Wouldn't that be sweet payback for DC after all these years of taxation without representation.

[WarriorLemming]

You got that right, speakingtruth2power, lol I'd like to also add that the next woman running for President should have two less cojones than Hillary, she tried too hard to show she was "one of the boys" to prove she was military strong. I don't think that's necessary. Screaming and yelling, hitting below the belt, being snide, lying about snipper fire made Hillary appear unfeminine and maladjusted. A woman should remain feminine.

Ms. Huffington is a good example of a tough woman who retains her feminine side. Hey, there you go, "Huffington For President!" ^.~

[Daisy1111]

In a country where women outnunber men the best we can hope for is "maybe" a female president in another 20 years?

Sad.

[Syco]

well not all of you vote and you haven't realized the amount of damage you can create

[JackND]

A woman who is a sitting VP probably has a better shot at a future presidency.

So...

Obama/Sebelius '08

[Syco]

shes a bit of a hypocrite

[dct1999]

"She will be young enough to qualify as postfeminist (in the way Senator Barack Obama has come off as postracial)"

These are the stupidest words in the overall poorly written article.

[bish66]

Let's be serious, none of the women currently in office stand a chance. Based on the way Clinton was treated by the media and the Party, no reasonable woman will go through that humiliating process any time soon.

Sebelius? too limited appeal
Perdue? Still has to win the governor's office
Chelsea? No expericence, but wait a decade or two
Napolitano? Failed to deliver Arizona for Obama and she is leaving office in two years.
Hutchinson? We are talking about the Republicans, so forget her and Rice and all the other CEOs and treasurers (Treasurer? The NYT can't be serious!)
Palin? Barely won her seat.

No, there is not a female out there with enough name recognition and power to pull this off. Clinton could, if nominated, because she has enough appeal in swing states, but media and the Dems are eager to make sure that Obama runs and loses.

No, now is the time for a female president. The next opportunity will be in, say 24 years. That's the span between Ferraro running for Veep and Hillary.

[Annette]

Clinton had limited experience, Senator for 7 years, total elected experience.
What she had was name recognition. Unfortunately for her that came with both good and bad memories. She really needed to run a good campaign she didn't.

[aquarius2001]

If anything, had her name been anything BUT Clinton, she would have been erased from all topics months ago!!!

When Carol Mosely Braun ran- she was quickly dismissed from the conversation. Nobody was saying "they're picking on her because she's a woman"

So now Hillary- who has been the apparent loser for some time- has been giving all "benefits of the doubt" by everyone- until now--there really is no possibility of giving benefit of anything- cause now, the MATH makes it oh to obvious.

[MissT]

Hillary was treated fabulously by the MSM. In fact, they basically had her crowned as the presumptive nominee until she lost Iowa. Then she started showing her flaws, lying, mismanaging her campaign, employing the southern strategy, elevating McCain over her fellow democrat. The MSM was as surprised as most of us at the ineptness of her campaign. Up to this very day I don't know the overall theme of her campaign because it changes every month. What was the MSM supposed to do? Ignore all that and keep acting like she was the best candidate in the history of politics. With all she had going for her, she has no one to blame but herself for her failure.

All that being said, there are lots of women in the pipeline who are more than capable of being the first woman president. You say they don't have the name recognition to pull it off. Well Hillary shows us that it takes more than name recognition. She had it in spades. Obama shows us that you don't need name recognition. He had something else...a message that resonates with the American people. Top it off, he makes us understand that we can be part of the process.

He his not a paternalistic figure promising to be all things to all people. Is simple statement that "We are the ones we have been waiting for" is powerful and true. And his campaign slogan has been the same from the beginning. Yes we can!

[newshawk14]

I simply cannot accept that the media is all to blame for this. She simply didn't run a very good
campaign, and didn't realize the consequences of going negative against a fellow democrat
might entail. The last thing, is anyone who has seriously looked at Hillary's "ready from day
one" claim, might be less than impressed. You would be much better off electing me.