A front page story in today's New York Times wonders whether Hillary Clinton's flagging run for the presidency is "a historic if incomplete triumph or a depressing reminder of why few [women] pursue high office in the first place."
Let me quickly weigh in with an unequivocal vote for "historic if incomplete triumph." And the only thing I find depressing is that the answer is even in doubt.
I have regularly criticized Clinton over the course of her campaign (and long before it, starting with her vote to authorize the war), but there is no question that she has forever altered the way women running for president will be viewed from here on out. In the words of the Times, Clinton has established "a new marker for what a woman can accomplish in a campaign -- raising over $170 million, frequently winning more favorable reviews on debate performances than her male rivals, rallying older women, and persuading white male voters who were never expected to support her."
She has also forever demolished the question mark hovering over the issue many (wrongly, in my opinion) have felt would be a woman candidate's biggest weakness: the ability to be seen as a plausible commander-in-chief.
It is to her great credit that very shortly into the '08 race, when you saw Clinton on television, you didn't think, "Oh, there's the woman running for president." That is no small feat for a woman trying to break into a male-dominated arena. So the next time a woman -- or two or three -- runs for president, it won't be seen as a novelty act. Because Hillary certainly wasn't.
But the greatest triumph of Clinton's campaign -- a complete triumph -- is the example she has set for the next generation. And not just for young women; her dedication, perseverance, and indefatigable drive make her a role model for young men as well.
Much has been made of the generational divide in the Clinton-Obama battle, with older women rallying to Clinton and younger women drawn to Obama. But the impact of her candidacy transcends this division. I've seen this very clearly in the reaction of my oldest daughter.
She voted for the first time in this year's California primary, casting her ballot for Obama. Yet hardly a day passes without her speaking with admiration, almost awe, about Hillary Clinton -- how she manages to get up every morning, no matter how hard things get for her, and keep following her dream.
I've written a lot about fear and fearlessness, and how fearlessness is not the absence of fear -- it's the mastery of fear. It's all about getting up one more time than we fall down. Has any public figure embodied this more powerfully and compellingly than Hillary Clinton?
Last week I was in a hotel room in Las Vegas preparing to give a speech. Checking in for a political update, I turned on CNN and saw Wolf Blitzer interviewing Hillary. But instead of a debate on who is more electable in Appalachia, or a Talmudic discussion about Michigan and Florida, there was this incredibly human moment.
Blitzer asked Clinton about what it's been like having Chelsea on the trail campaigning with her. Clinton, choking up, replied: "Well, it's one of the most incredibly gratifying experiences of my life, as a person and as a mother. I get very emotional. She is an exceptional person, and she's worked so hard, and she's done such a good job that I'm just filled with pride every time I look at her."
And just as Hillary started tearing up, I realized I was too. This has been an election where, even more than usual, the personal and the political have been constantly overlapping. And my feelings as I watched that interview were no exception.
It was clear that the 17-month campaign had taken a toll on Clinton, but at the same time has been incredibly transformative. She famously announced after winning New Hampshire that she'd found her own voice. But, in fact, she has kept finding it and refinding it -- until now, finally, she seems to be more in touch with her own message, instead of the message Mark Penn's poll numbers told her to adopt.
And in doing so, she has redefined and taken over the Clinton brand. Forget welfare reform, free-trade uber alles, and third-way DLC-economics. Since hitting her stride in Ohio, Hillary has transformed the Clinton brand into one that represents working-class Americans. Because of this, she is the Clinton who will now be most relevant to the country's future.
I see Hillary returning to the Senate with a newfound sense of purpose -- and power. With the presidency no longer in her sights -- at least for now -- she could become a commanding progressive force in the Senate.
Campaigning in Pennsylvania in early April, Clinton compared herself to Philadelphia icon Rocky Balboa. "Let me tell you something," she said. "When it comes to finishing the fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up."
The comparison was meant to reinforce her image as a tireless warrior -- but it was more accurate and prescient than she intended. Because Rocky actually lost his initial fight with Apollo Creed. After 15 punishing and bloody rounds, he was satisfied just to have gone the distance.
"Ain't gonna be no rematch," says Creed amidst the post-fight pandemonium. To which Rocky replies: "Don't want one."
Even though Rocky didn't win, he was ultimately seen as a triumphant figure. And that's how Hillary will be seen too. Once the disappointment fades and the cuts and bruises heal, the lasting impression will be one of glory, accomplishment, and profound impact.
Hers will have been a game-changing defeat.
If you are in San Francisco today, I will be speaking about Right is Wrong at 7pm at Book Passage (51 Tamal Vista in Corte Madera), and if you are in Seattle on Tuesday I'll be speaking at 7:30pm at the Town Hall Center for Civic Life (on 8th Avenue).
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
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Yes, Bill has also done lots of good with his fundraisin
The fact is that Hillary showed her true colors back when she was first lady and had those members of the WH travel office fired so that she could replace them with the company owned by her Hollywood friends (Linda Bloodworth
That more than anything shows her true character (or lack of it). It may have happened so long ago, that people have forgotten about it. But I for one haven't.
But the comment about Chelsea Clinton caught my eye. I do not doubt Hillary Clinton loves her daughter. That's pretty basic to the human condition. What I cannot understand is why anyone would applaud the role her daughter has played in this campaign,
Certainly, other adult children of candidates have spoken out in support of their parents' campaigns-
And the coup de grace was the sight of her standing silently as her mother described their experience in Bosnia. That made me shudder.
Remarkably
Yes, perhaps many have been harboring concerns about BO's safety, considerin
And that kind of low-brow reasoning and poor judgment is somehow above reproach? To not understand that a comment like that WOULD be blown out of proprotion - that very lack of insight and foresight - is one of the reasons Hillary is losing the vote.
Just because Hillary gets up and keeps fighting isn’t all that special either, we could all say the same thing about Mike Huckabee. All the presidenti
Christophe
Social Commentary @
www.future
- From a woman who won't vote for a woman just because she's a woman.
Hilary has lied, insinuated racial divides, been a comfort to McCain, acted Rove-like in her campaign and yesterday the worst , the "assasinat
I understand that I may not view events and character in the same manner as others, since I viewed Hillary as a qualified candidate years before she announced her intent to run. I just wish Hillary had campaigned with truth and dignity. Wouldn't that have been a better historical testament for American women? Is the historical text going to omit that Hillary ran a desperate, divisive campaign built on moral corruption
I understand she and many of her supporters feel they have to act a certain way to get ahead because they came of age at a time when sexism was a daily reality and struggle, but there's something pathologic
Hillary is, in my opinion, damaging the perception of women the longer keeps "fighting" a losing battle. She's willing to sacrifice her dignity, integrity, and humanity to look tough, but ironically
And to suddenly abandon the ideals of the democratic party - to abandon the hope of ending a war where men and women are DYING - just because you didn't get your own way, just because YOU failed? You no longer care about health care? You know longer care about education?
It's that lack of integrity that's preventing your candidate from advancing. Has nothing to do with being a woman, sorry to burst your bubbles.
Is HRC being fearless? Hardly. The fearlessne
If HRC was truly fearless she would have understood that Democrats winning was important not HRC winning and standing up against W in the most difficult times. That would have been fearlessne
Hillary is not a good example of ANYTHING! Arianna, you missed the boat on this one. Any example you point out can be better referenced by other women such as Geraldine Ferraro as presidenti
As for president - the HRC presidenti
As an American who has lived in many countries over many years, I'm amazed at the naiveté of way too many of my fellow Americans over the issue of women in high office. I only have to mention 3 names that many across the Globe will recognize as tough and formidable Prime Ministers or Presidents of their respective countries: Indria Gandi, Maggie Thatcher and Goldie Meyer! End of story!
That is America!
To the rest of the reading public: I understand all the opinions of dislike toward the Clintons..
If Obama can win and if HRC can convince her followers to support the party by supporting Obama in November, will she be held personally accountabl
Cont'd
As for legislativ
As for leadership experience
Obama truly is our best hope for improvemen
I'm sot sure why there are many who often refer to "experienc
After these past seven years, give me the "IN-experi
The so-called "experienc
O in 08'!
Wake up to the reality that America is through playing that game. That's what this primary is about - a rejection of the status quo and a determinat