Comment: Hillary is the choice for women and thinkers. The Obamanation with his dirty ties to Auchi, Rezko, Wright, bundled contributions galore, evil anti American and racist wife etc... may fool the kids but adults should know better.
Comment: What universal sisterhood? I am 43 and a working woman and mom and I can tell you some of the worst people I have dealt with in my professional life are other women. My kids and I were recently watching Mean Girls, an excellent movie, and I was trying to explain to them why girls have the capacity to be so cruel. I hate to break it to you, but the Feminist movement did not overcome these darker female tendencies.
Haven't we had enough of Bill and Hillary and their dysfunctional power trip? i lost faith in Bill after he brought our country to a screeching halt with his impeachment hearing. He chose to be a lawyer instead of standing up and being a man. When he called Monica "That woman" he set us all back. , The girl that was good enough to give him a blow job in the oval office. Not that I am any big fan of Monica's, but I was appauled at the double standard "feminist women" were willing to make over than whole debacle.
Let's face it; Hillary is incredibly polarizing. That is the last thing our country needs right now. Too bad, so sad. I don't care what humilitation she put up with from her husband, that does not earn her the right to be President. The Presidency is a sacred calling, What does our country need? Who can fill that calling? We need hope and inspiration. Barack Obama is the one!
Comment: Where was the sisterhood when Patricia Schroeder ran? I always thought she would have been a terrific president.
Comment: Many of you say you want a female president yet you continuously demean Hillary. Sorry , but the lady (yes, lady) has always carried herself as a crusader even before she married Bill. This is why Laura Bush will not run for President. Hillary was always destined to fight for rights of people. I don't believe one word that comes out of Obama's mouth. He's saying all the right things. The difference is he is sticking his foot in his own mouth. NAFTA, Teamsters, his xerox speeches, riding on the coattails of Hillary's ideas. He cannot think for himself. He stumbles when challenged. Hillary may not get the delegate count but she damn well got the states that elect presidents spending less money. The DNC is in major trouble, they know this and they know their strongest candidate is Hillary. She can go head up with McCain on any issue. Obama will crash and burn because the only thing he can preach is hope and change. The problem is this hope and change involves shady characters whom will be looking for the promises that were made to them to get him the nomination and the presidency. That is why I will vote McCain for president if Obama gets the nomination. Voting for Nader won't do a thing. I will stomp for McCain the same as I am for Hillary. Many others not far behind.
Comment: I,too, have been a longtime admirer of Sen Clinton and am disturbed at the way her record is marginalized . I would think that it would be in the best interests of all women that her record be celebrated and not be distorted .It is interesting to read from Obama supporters that they have "researched" and found that he is more accomlished that one has previously thought. There is always a challenge, such as listing 3 of his accomplishments to every one of Sen Clinton's, that never seems to come to fruition. Perhaps, they should do the prerequisite research of Sen Clinton's credentials, before making nonsensical statements such as that she has accomplished nothing. The concept of universal healthcare for this nation was hers. It did not pass because "universal" meant that everybody supported it through participation. It was an idea before its time.Today, Obama's healthcare plan is Sen.Clinton's, except that it is not universal. Without every citizen's support, how will his healthcare plan be funded?Obama doesn't appear to have learned from his failures. He is exceedingly adept at not making any. One way he has accomplished this feat is to not make a decison; hence his over 120 "present" votes in the Illinois legislature. Because he was present when those healthcare issues were adopted, does not mean that he wrote, sponsored, or was responsible for their passage. He is a remarkable speaker of enormous charisma. But the question is whether this is enough and wil it last for 4 years?
Comment: Obama has manipulated the youth with his speeches. Think about his speeches. The media has hyped him and put racism in the limelight but sexism is alive and well. I am not blindly behind Hillary. I know when she is determined to get something done she does it to the best of her ablility. Obama leaves too many unanswered questions and I don't feel i can trust him.
Comment: Yeah that is true Hillary does do the best of her ability when she is determined. It's just sad her determination is usually self-centered. Just think of what she could do if she really cared about the country. What a waste.
Comment: and Obama and his pastor pinning blacks against whites in order to get the nomination isn't self-centered???
Comment: Dear Jessica,
You should feel like a traitor. I am also a young-educated woman in my 20's and I said the same thing during my under-grad and I have stayed true to it to this day. I also did not blindly choose Hillary, I have given Obama just as much of a chance (watched every one of his speeches, read his bio, blogs, and articles praising him) and time and time again Hillary has proven to me that she is the more knowledgable, experienced, and hard-working, candidate. Mostly, she appeals to me because she talks IN-DEPTH on ALL the issues and she gives practical solutions to our problems. When I watch Obama speak (the first time, way before the media or anyone else started to take notice) I wanted to yell at him, "Yeah you are for change, but what are you ACTUALLY GOING TO CHANGE!!!" Plain and simple, first impressions are everything and that's the way I will always feel about him and I know I'm right. So sorry Obama supporters, while I respect our differences I will never see him as a good candidate and I think he is winning entirely because he has painted himself as the candidate for the "young that want change" and thus the media and our superficial materialistic, pop-culture obsessed nation has been hanging from his jock-strap ever since. I do not think that this is a fair, logical, or any way a good measure of the future leader of our nation and I never will.
Lastly Jessica, if you had continued to watch Mrs. Clinton's speeches and debates first-hand you would know that she has maintained that same strength and poise even when everyone else counted her out. It is too bad that African-Americans stayed true to their candidate through thick and thin, yet (especially young / educated) women abandoned Mrs. Clinton for the "new/cool thing," aren't we smarter than that???
Comment: I feel the same about toward Hillary. Hillary's ideas are good almost the same as barack's it's just that she has had ton's of opportunity to inact her greatest issues and failed miserably. She failed when given the biggest opportunity to devise a healthcare program. Go to the Libarary of Congress and study her senate record against Barack's. He has done more for healthcare in the us senate and in Illinios that she has been able to do in the 35 years she claims so often. Hillary has accomplished absolutley nothing in her 35 years and if you come up with something that she has accomplished just post it on here. I'll post 3 Of Obama's to everyone you can come up with.
Comment: " As everyone knows, Hillary's fight for universal health coverage did not succeed. But her commitment to health care for every American has never wavered. She was instrumental in designing and championing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has provided millions of children with health insurance. She battled the big drug companies to force them to test their drugs for children and to make sure all kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. Immunization rates dramatically improved after the program launched."
Do your research sweetheart, muah.
Comment: How can one feel that they owe anything to the COVERT CORRUPT CLINTONS. Hillary claims she was ???co-President??? during Bill???s two terms in the W/H. ???They??? are after a third term. RED FLAG: Bill has too many ties to other nations for his ???charities???, so why isn???t it ruled a conflict of interest? Don???t non-profit organizations need to provide yearly returns with donors, donation amounts, payments, payees and amounts? RED FLAG: The charitable ???donations??? from foreign countries, but no disclosure. Red flags, in triple, for these ventures. Hillary often demonstrates her self-centered arrogance that ???rules??? only apply if she benefits. She proved while in the W/H how deadly she could be with ???revenge??? as her weapon. She has no soul, and tries to crush any opposition using any available means. When will the Clintons provide complete documentation of her years in the W/H? This time, will a lie detector test be required to guarantee that no documents were removed? RED FLAG: Sandy Berger had unrestricted access to highly classified terrorism documents at the National Archives. Their failure to follow extremely strict security guidelines was a bonus for Berger. He was eventually accused of stealing documents, but claimed that he borrowed a few copies to study, which he later returned. At his trial, the DOJ let Berger off on a misdemeanor charge and surrender of his license. He didn???t even submit to a lie detector test. RED FLAG, RED FLAG: It was later learned that the top- secret original NSC documentation, with hand-written notes (no inventory, no copies existed) covering the Clinton Administration handling of the terrorism threats were ???missing??? from the National Archives. The entire 9/11 Commission report was a waste of time and money, due to incomplete data. RED FLAG: We will never know the full truth about how 9/11 could have/should have been prevented. Guess whom Hillary has picked to be on her National Security Team? Give that man a cigar! It???s Sandy Berger
Comment: kryn10...I find the over usage of capitalization in this comment quite alarming. In fact, that is how I feel when Hillary is speaking...like she's "demanding" that I vote for her. I am still trying to figure out why she feels she has so much experience that warrants her "ready on day one." I have yet to discover what her "experience" is. I have also spoken to Upstate New Yorkers, who find her move to New York to be sneaky and sinister, and that she's been eyeing the White House since she moved to New York...No disrespect intended, Hillary, because I find you to be extremely intelligent. At first, I had Hillary and Barack at 50/50...but after really observing her and listening to her and doing my own research on her so-called "experience," I am still not convinced. I do not like how "negative" she sounds. I'm not sure who is telling her that this posturing is "attractive" for a "Presidential candidate." Again, listening to her gives me the same "uneasy" feeling that kryn10's comment just did. People, vote with your rational minds and not with your emotions. These are really serious times. The credibility of the United States is at stake. We really don't need a leader in office who will not unify the Congress and who will not be respected around the world. This is a tense climate; feelings and emotions are on edge. I really don't want a person in office who will continue to "piss off the masses." Selah...
Comment: VOTE HILLARY 2008. I find it amazing how Obama supporters are so blinded that they can't see the true facts. It is a fact that blacks are voting for Obama simply because of his race. Blacks learn to support each other because they had to fight for their rights. However, women also had to fight for their rights, but women do not have a strong network to help them as do black with their strong nationwide networks and organizations. Therefore, women do not realized the importance of fighting for their rights. They are leaving the work of women's rights up to others. Michele Obama would not have her job if it had not been for women who stood up and fought for her rights to have that job. In addition, Hillary was not born a woman of "privelege." She has worked a long time to get there, and Obama is certainly not underpriveleged in his half million dollar house and a wife who earns more than a quarter million dollars a year. Open your eyes. And the Democratic nominating process is set up so that the nominee is chosen LEGALLY by primaries, caucauses, AND SUPER DELEGATES. That is the LEGAL PROCESS. The reason they have super delegates is to give one-fifth of the nominating power to people well-schooled in the Democratic ideals. IT IS NOT TO SIMPLY REFLECT THE POPULAR VOTE. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR SUPER DELEGATES!!! THEY WERE LEGALLY GIVEN THE POWER TO OFFSET THE POPULAR VOTE WITH AN INPUT OF VOTE TOWARDS THE NOMINEE WHO BEST REFLECTS THE IDEALS OF THE PARTY!! THAT IS WHY SUPER DELEGATES ARE FREE TO SUPPORT WHOMEVER THEY CHOOSE. IT IS THE REASON THEY WERE GIVEN THE POWER. So Obama supporters should learn all the facts before they just blindly follow a candidate. VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE WHO WILL LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, NOT HIS OWN EGO. VOTE HILLARY 2008
Comment: krny10 - why are you yelling? The Superdelegates are adults who will make up their own mind...there are many factors that will influence their decision. Given that many represent us in our states, we also have the right to express our opinions to any or all of them should we chose. Democracy is a great process!
Don't know what correlation you are trying to make between Superdelegates making up their own mind and Obama supporters supposedly 'blindly following', but enough of a response... Bye, bye ya'll - Obama did really win Texas by the way....
Comment: I find it absolutely amazing that when a non black, claims to know what "they" are thinking. News flash, not every black person is voting for Sen. Obama,. But from your post you believe that every "woman" should vote for Sen. Clinton. I am just curious where do black women fit in your scenario. Since you list blacks and women as seperate groups?????????
Comment: First of all Obama was not born a man of privalege. He was raised by a single mom that pushed him to achieve he did not have a lot of money grwing up. And Hillary most certainly grew up very privelaged. She actually was a republican until the middle part of her college education. She was a member of young republicans. The Clintons have a ton more money than Obama right now. Another thing, Blacks did not start voting for Obama until the Clintons started playing the race card in South Carolina. They were splitting the black vote in half. So she did that to herself.
Comment: As a twentysomething professional woman, I understand how some of us may have that dilemma. However, I believe many of us have transcended the idea of gender and can look beyond it. Many women our age say they can "relate" to Hillary. But I don't see how. She is a privelaged woman using her husband's name, a husband who has shamed her in this country. I do not have anything in common with Hillary and though I am Latino, Barack's story is closer to many Americans. Being a proud woman of color I think the choice is clear and simple-Barack Obama
Comment: The ones that claimed that they lost faith in Hillary have only been influenced by the media so as the media has treated Hillary with such vitriol those of you who have bought in to the BS is just as wrotten. Sorry the piece isn't worth the time, though the observation needs to be said. You don't seek the truth you would rather be told. Typical weak minded.
Comment: I am quite certain that my peers in the workplace would laugh out loud to think I have been accused of being weak minded...oh, no, my feelings are so hurt.
I think I am fully capable of researching the candidates and making an intelligent choice --- please think of more professional ways to state your opinons in the future and maybe you will be able to engage in intelligent debate - that is supposed to be the basis of the democratic process.
Comment: It amazes me how someone believes that the media is misrepresenting someone who has said and done the things the media is reporting. Did the media misrepresent and misquote the comments made by Ferraro? Or maybe the Op Ed piece that was written by Steinham was misrepresented too. It has consistently amazed me, which I don't understand why, how the "feminist" spin abuse by the media and gender bias because of someone else's behavior. How is it that white amerikkkans can say what they want and black americans are to accept it. You people are funnier than Bugs Bunny.
Comment: Just a few comments regarding Geraldine:
1. When you hear all should had to say in response to a question, you will realize she is a political pundit whose job it is to analyze politics and to answer questions and not avoid the difficult ones;
2. Her analysis was based on hard numbers and anecdotal comments from voters;
3. She has every right to drawer whatever conclusion she'd like to and, yes, to say it out loud without fear of being attacked as a racist;
and 4.) Last but not least,
I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and try to unravel what is racist and what is not -- Is it playing the race card to comment on an issue that is clearly based on two candidates, one of color, and one a woman when the are? (In fact, the same comment could probably be made about Hillary and white women over 40, would that be playing the race card?) Or is it playing the race card to accuse a commentator of being racist because she responded to a question openly and honestly?
As Geraldine noted, Axlerod knows her well and he knows she is not a racist -- so what else could his recent "hissy" fit be about? Let's see. Could it being using the race card?
Comment: "said and done things the media is reporting" you think the media doesnt have their own bias? the media is your barometer of truth? the media continues to insist that the Clinton camp is responsible for that picture of Obama. have you considered it was the Obama camp manipulating the media? Rush Limbaugh? the media themselves? wake up
Comment: No, the media is not my barometer of truth. I don't believe any of them and I don't subscribe to blind ignorance either. I don't subscribe to the world is out to get Hillary. If that is so, then why would you put yourself in a position where you can get gotten? If she is so fragile and feels some type of immunity from the microscope the spotlight puts you under, then why doesn't she just drop out. I find it insulting that she uses being a woman as an excuse when she is down but uses her "experience" and savvy when she is up. I am sick and tired of it all. I can't wait for this to be all over so we can go back to the true state of the union...
Comment: So you are saying that anyone that does not support Hillary is weak-minded? I have done quite a bit of research on the candidates and I made up my mind on Barack long ago when he was 20 points down in the poles. I did not listen to the media. I just really believe Barack is a better candidate.
Comment: Tell me why Mr. Obama is the best candidate without mentioning Bill or Hillary Clinton or anyone else. Look Chelsea in the eye and tell her why you think her mother shouldn't be. Then your words will mean something.
Comment: I don't think it is appropriate nor necessary for any supporter to be asked to tell someone's child why their parent should not be the candidate you chose.
I am not certain you are really interested in this answer, however, here goes, Senator Obama has the unique ability to bridge the gap with people of different backgrounds/opinions to join to a common goal. Becuase he listens actively and knows how to find common ground without compromising his purpose, he is able to enact productive change. He has demonsrated this throughout his career.
Comment: I am so happy to find this article... I feel like I am home... I voted for Obama because I have lost faith in Hillary and her message... I use to enjoy watching her and hear what she had to say but now her style and politics have truned me off so bad that I just wish and hope that she would drop out of the race.... I needed and wanted something fresher and Hillary was not it..... Thank you for this article....
Comment: if you feel happy about this article and feel like you are at home, then you are not losing yours. you want fresh? tell me what is so fresh about lying? politics have turn you off so bad, you are still not looking. you want her to drop out of the race? do you think Hamas is going to drop out of the race? Do you know who Hamas is? I hope you think it's cool when you tell your daughter you had a chance to make her life better and you didn't because Hillary wasn't fresh enough for you.
Comment: I was disippointed in Hiliary Clinton many years ago, as a Women . I am 67 years old now and Barack Obama offers a refreshing clear honest and inteligent change. Yes and for me, I am finally gaining some hope; see a vision for the yourng, middle, elderly people. Barack is the only one who has mentioned the senior citizen situation of financila help in eliminating being taxed.. Wow what an Idea, Some one who cares about me, at 67. Wake up Hilery, John McCain, your time is running out. If my intuition is correct there is a new wave coming, and it is Barack Obama!!!
Comment: With these deceptive, divisive and undignified statements and positions on 'pledge delegates are up for grabs', etc that Hilary Clinton frequently takes, one can only shake the head.
Very very pathetic and pitiful position of the Clintons. To watch public people sink to such low levels has to turn a lot of Americans off and cause them to lose respect of their so-called 'leaders'.
It's as if the repeated and public humiliations of Hilary by Bill Clinton and his innumerable affairs have left Hilary with so little dignity left that she does not think even a little dignity is worth saving.
And for a female, that is a very bad place to be in. I for one would never ever want any female in my family emulating Hilary Clinton. There are many and far more dignified females out there.
Comment: What is all this feminist orgy going on in Newsweek? Obama could never had such a lopsided coverage in favour of him even after 11 consecutive wins, but Hillary does, even with one not-exactly-landslide win in predominantly white, old, blue-color State and barely holding onto a popular vote win (and possibly losing out on a delegate count) in what was once her firewall State. It looks like all the old, white female writers in the Newsweek came out from hiding from the long and disappointing February and chanting feminists roar. February must have felt like forever for these ladies who were frustrated by black men utterly clobbering old white woman in Presidential nomination race (it didn't help that there was an additional day in the month). Gee, in old days, white women in the South could accuse innocent black men who they don't like of rape and have their white brothers beat them up. That was only 40 years ago. What a difference time makes, now all they could do was their feminist heroin and her campaign fumbling. ( I wonder how many of those very old white women who innocently say "I want to see a woman President in my lifetime", actually are guilty of accusation of false rape against black men in the 50's and 60's.)
Why is this feminist media orgy, and no party for Obama? Let's see how many African-Americans are in Newsweek, as writers, staffers, etc. I don't see many (in fact none of the opinion writers are black). Now let's see how many women are there? Many. I don't know how many more junior writers and staffers are women, but I suspect a lot of them. Those old white women in the Newsweek, just like in Ohio or Texas or almost all the States who had primaries and caucuses, are just expressing their preferences. As old feminist guards, they practice what they preach. They are writers and staffers in the Newsweek, one of the preeminent weekly magazines, and it is read by millions of people, Their articles and coverage have influence on what people talk and how people think. They use there position to advance their agenda. If their heroin sister finally got a moment to shine a little, blow it out of proportion. If it is for a good cause, such old and tired media principle as a balanced and objective reporting could wait a while. Plus, March is a women's month, so what's wrong with it? Plus, this is not the first time Newsweek's women hijacked entire issue. It's funny how Hillary whine about media bias, when in most of the media, Newsweek and others, you will see so many old white women type, well-educated, pant-suit wearing, shoulder-pat feminists.
Comment: Interesting. I would just note that Hillary cannot leave anyone with "a lingering sense of guilt," as long a one is basing one's vote on who they believe the best President will be. In fact, Hillary wants your vote, based on just that, not on "sisterhood." Also, it amazes me how much power some give the Clintons -- like, they made me do it (or not). And, I would just suggest that no one should laugh at prejudice/bias. In my mind that makes one complicit to it. You didn't ask, but: Vote your conscience -- not gender, not race, and not personality. Vote for what you believe to be the best thing for our country, there is no room for guilt there. And stop laughing at prejudice/bias humor and rise up against it.
Comment: I don't think sexism or racism (while they are very real in society) are nearly as important a factor in the success and general happiness of women and minorities as the democrats generally carry on about. There are many other, much more important factors that the government has more control over then this silliness about sexism and racism. There was a time when these factors were very critical (women couldn't vote, jim crow, etc.) but our parents and grandparents won those battles decades ago. Its time for us to move on. Having said that, it does depress me to see people making fun of hillary's laugh or her ankles, and not because I feel sorry for her or think doing this can't be funny. It depresses me because I think it actually works against her. She can't win whatever she does because she caricatured whatever she does. Caricatures are funny, but its sad when voters are swayed by caricatures. I'd never vote for Hillary or Obama because I'm a republican and lthink McCain would make a great president. However, I do believe a democrat will win this year and am prepared to withold judgement and see how they perform before I decide to dislike them. I think everyone should do this. There is too much hate in politics. I will say though that I like Obama personally more and even feel more closer to him politically. But I really do think I would trust hillary more in a crises.
Comment: Goodness, girls--no reason to feel guilty. Having common genitilia with someone is no reason to put them in the most powerful leadership position in this country. FIRST and FOREMOST, we need someone with integrity to lead us, and if it just happens to be a woman, wonderful! It isn't like we have the choice of a woman with integrity and a man with the same. Hillary is NOT the woman we want in power--our day will come; be patient. This time it's Barack Obama's, and he happens to be black. But first and foremost, he has integrity, and he's a leader!
54 year old white woman from Iowa
Comment: Is it betrayal or just lack of understanding. College age women and women who have not been in the work force long have not yet had to face the sexism that is alive and well in corporate America. The Old Boys Network thrives in interviews for jobs and in hiring. The glass ceiling is still there for women. Attractive women are subject to sexual advances and unattractive women are relegated to back rooms. Bleak? Yes, but young woemen are not tested.assessment but ture assee
Comment: Yes, you are betraying the sisterhood, but not the one you imagine. This betrayal is less to the sisterhood of second wave feminists-- I'm 32--more of your cohort than theirs--it is to the sisterhood of our age group that has yet to crystallize together. As women who came of age with Title IX and more women role models, it takes a little longer to see the misogyny and inequality that are still present. When the "twenty-somethings" advance in their careers- and perhaps start families, when the bosses and those male-counterparts aren't so supportive of maternity leave- then the reality of a "sisterhood" will be back. So, are you wrong to vote for the candidate of your choice? Absolutely not. But down the line, when you face the reality of entrenched sexism- the insidious kind that many will claim ???isn't a big deal??? and is ???just the way it is???- you may come to realize that by assuming it wasn't your problem anymore you brought it on yourself.
Comment: Enter Your CommentLiberate yourselves, Vote Obama!
Comment: Yes, Ms. Bennett, you are betraying your sisterhood. I personally know seven women who will not vote for an individual who has been a US Senator for only two years - whether black, white, male, or female. If Senator Obama is the Democratic nominee, I am not sure if these women will vote Republican or just not vote. I know there are supporters of Senator Obama who feel as strongly for their candidate. He will never garner the support of Senator Clinton's aging white women constitutency and that is a demographic he will sorely need in the general election.
Comment: The very idea that not voting for a woman because she is a woman is to diminish everything that women have worked so hard to accomplish. Please do not belittle us as one group without independent thought - we should be voting for the candidate we believe is best for this country and best aligned with our own principles. Any independent woman would encourage all women to research their options and support the candidate in whom they believe.
As a lifelong woman Democrat of over 50 years, I will not be supporting Senator Clinton in this Primary process. I do not believe she has the leadership skills to lead this country in our time of crisis - "FIGHTING" is not the first option for leaderhsip styles in successful leaders. Anyone in business knows that if you approach every topic and challenge as a "FIGHT", you stop listening, put others on the defensive and never get to a solution to go forward. Senator Obama, throughout his public service, has demonstrated the ability to engage with those with whom he does not agree and engage them to reach a successful conclusion without sacrificing his objectives. Anyone who doubts this should reasearch Senator Clinton's record in congress and compare it wiht Senator Obama's record in Illinois as well as US Senate. YOu will find that Senator Clinton has passed almost no meanininful legislation and does not co-sponsor withe other Democrats or Republicans. Senator Obama, on the other hand, has passed meaningful legistation in co-sponsorship with other Senators who wouldn't typically be Democratic partners. The most recent example is the bill he co-sponsored wiht Tom Coborn (R) to provide on-line access to government spending - he followed through on his belive in transparencey in governemen and partnered wiht a Senator across the aisle who had a common belief. THIS IS HOW REAL CHANGE HAPPENS, so PLEASE do not dare to judge women who are using their brains and judgement to make informed decisions. We don't need your brand of oppression!!!
Comment: "But for the most part, he stuck to party lines; there were few examples of the kind of bipartisan work he advocates in his current campaign."
"He disappointed some Democrats by not taking a more prominent role opposing the war ??? he voted against a troop withdrawal proposal by Senators John Kerry of Massachusetts and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin in June 2006, arguing that a firm date for withdrawal would hamstring diplomats and military commanders in the field."
"To others, though, the mismatch between Mr. Obama???s outside profile and his inside accomplishments wore thin. While some senators spent hours in closed-door meetings over immigration reform in early 2007, he dropped in only occasionally, prompting complaints that he was something of a dilettante."
" Yet when the measure reached the floor, Mr. Obama distanced himself from the compromise, advocating changes sought by labor groups. The bill collapsed."
"To some in the bipartisan coalition, Mr. Obama???s move showed an unwillingness to take a tough stand.
???He folded like a cheap suit,??? said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, a close ally of Mr. McCain. ???What it showed me is you are not an agent of change. Because to really change things in this place you have to get beat up now and then.???
NYTimes, Sunday, March 09, 2008, "Obama in Senate - Star Power, Minor Role"
Comment: I agree completely. You have to vote for the person's ability not because they are the same as you. Fighting leads to gridlock. You have to have the personality to persuade to get support for your plans. If we as women vote for Hillary because she is a women, we will set back the cause of women and be exactly like the men that advance inequality in the workforce. You will be endorsing the very policy's you've been victim of.
Comment: "The very idea that not voting for a woman because she is a woman is to diminish everything that women have worked so hard to accomplish. "
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What, then, do you have to say about 85% African-Americans voting for Obama? Are they fair in doing so? Do you give this lecture to them?
Comment: The african american vote was split between them until Hillary and Bill went on a rampage to use the race card in South Carolina. They attempted to marginalize him as a "black" candidate and it back fired. Now the african american vote goes mostly to Barack. It is sad that they had to go that route as the black community often referred to clinton as the first black president. It's kind of sad they risked that status to win. But that is what the whole point about the clintons is... They will do anything to win. I hope it was worth it as Bill is distroying his legacy everyday of this campaign and she is probably not going to win.
Comment: I respect everyone's opinion and do not 'lecture' anyone. Everyone should research and vote for the candidate they believes best represents their beliefs. We need to be able to have intelligent debate without branding others for their opinions.
The difference in this primary process has been (until recent negative turns) that people have turned out in record numbers, enthusiastic about participating and willing to have an intelligent debate on issues and candidates. This was evident in the caucuses in MN - we had meaningful discussions on candidates and left respecting each other's opinions. Our common objective needs to be WIN in November. We are at a critical turning point in our nation and in the world.
Please show others respect for their opinions. As a woman and as a citizen of the USA, I am allowed to determine which candidate I believe is best suited to lead our nation. The anger is misplaced and will not help us win in November...we have so much common ground, let's not lose perspective that we are one party...
Comment: We all should endorse and promote our candidates but we need to be accurate. Sen. Clinton has worked very well with many Republicans and worked hard to earn their respect. She has sponsored and co sponsored legislation on health, security and economic issues. Sen. Obama has indeed amended bills and was selected to work with Rep on ethics reform. But he has not spent much time in the Senate since being elected.
Comment: Forgot to add for your reference, Senate Bill, S.2590, Federal Funding Accounabiltity and Transparency Act, co-sponsored by Senator Obama and Senator Tom Coburn (R - OK). This bill passed in September of 2008, and is explained by Senator Obama as, " By helping to lift the veil of secrecy in Washington this database will help make us better legislators, reporters better journalists, and boters more active citizens. It's both unusual and encouraging to see interst groups and bloggers to the left and right come together to achieve results. " Senator Coburn's comments included, "Every American has the right to know how thier governement spends their money, and then to hold elected officials accountable for these decisions."
Not only did they get the legislation passed, they have also followed through with its implementation in an easy to use web based access: www.USAspending.gov
This is a classic example of Sentor Obama's work style - pursue issues in which you believe, listen to other's beliefs, find those with whom you have common ground, continue working it until you succeed, and partner together to implement solutions.
I don't think anyone would have assumed upon Senator Obama's entry into the Senate that Senator Coburn would necesssarily be his partner in legislation; however, Senator Obama knows how to bridge with others. His leadership style is what we need to go forward in this difficult time...
Comment: Correction - passed in September of 2006.
Comment: Please list the last bill that Senator Clinton co-sponsored and passed with a Repbulican Senator.
Comment: Senator Clinton suporters - last bill she co-sponsored and passed with a Republican Senator.
Comment: I agree the attacks on Senator Clinton should not be personalized and reduced to ridiculous comments about her hair, ankles, and makeup. However, I do not feel guilt for supporting the candidate who I think is best to lead the country forward.
Comment: Are you "betraying the sisterhood" by voting for Obama? Yes, you absolutely are. As the 'pundits' love to say, there's "not much light" between the two remaining Democratic candidate's policies. They each have to work extremely hard to make the very minor differences clear to the voters. Voting for one or the other is really just based on personal qualifications. Both are politicians. Both have skeletons. Neither is perfect. Senator Clinton has gotten a terrible wrap from the media while the media has virtually ignored many unfavorable things about Senator Obama's past, like the extent of fundraising that Rezko actually did for him, the underhanded way he first won his seat in the Illinois senate, the way he managed to get all those bills passed in the Illinois senate (with a lot of help from kingmaker Emil Jones Jr.), his "friendliness" with terrorist William Ayers, and many more. We almost never get to see positive portrayals of Senator Clinton. I think if more young women took the time to examine her life and all the remarkable things she has done both in and out of office there would be a clear choice. Unfortunatley, few people bother to do this and let the media make their choice for them.
Comment: If men want to continue "the brotherhood" and continued to promote men strictly because of their gender, isn't that wrong? And yet you feel perfectly fine telling women to vote "for one of their own" only because she's a woman. You are as bad a proponent of sexism as the Ol' Boys Network. And like them, you're wrong.
Comment: I don't think its a betrayal of the "sisterhood" if you vote what you believe to be the best choice. I myself believe Hillary is the best woman in this decade. This vote will pave the way for the future. Obama is really not ready for the helm yet. The superdelegates will have a hard time to choose. because although Obama has won the popular votes in the caucuses he failed the test of the primaries which when calculated Hillary has won outright. When people state Obama cannot win the general its because the major states are the ones who choose the candidates for President. Its been proven in past practice. Caucuses are easily manipulated whereas primaries require an ID and a signature. No locking out in primaries. If people are not able to vote because of lockouts than that is not democracy.
Comment: What I fail to grasp is that Hillary is the anti-woman. She is everything that we no longer have to or want to be. Smart women do not stay married to abusers and cheaters which is what Bill is and was. Strong women do not remain with men who humilate them and their child. Hillary was not a role model for ANY woman. Her message to women is..."Boys will be boys, girls...if he cheats on you, just look the other way, if he puts a cigar in his secretary's *** just look the other way. Those boys of ours, you know how they are." I do not want four or eight more years of that message being pushed down the throats of young women growing up in the Hillary years. It is a disempowering and bad message from a woman who is neither smart nor strong when it comes to her own family. And, when I look at how she is running her own campaign now I do not see a particularily smart or strong woman there either.
Comment: As a white woman I should feel guilty for NOT voting for Hillary? What kind of anger is behind that message?
I am almost 50 and would love to see a woman in the WH, but Hillary represents the status quo and presents herself as a woman in the good old boys suit just like Margaret Thatcher. She brings along Bill Clinton, and remember you get 2 for 1. Oh don???t forget, Bill said that college educated people including women, vote for Obama, because they don???t really need a president. How presidential did that sound? No thank you! As a feminist, I see more benefits for women with Obama, and he is more in touch with the people. I guess I am tired of Clinton???s Karl Rove style campaign against a fellow Democrat
For me it is about issues, competence and integrity, versus simply gender. I see Obama as the only candidate to reinstall integrity in the White.
Comment: Many women feel betrayed by Hillary because she stayed with Bill even though he cheated on her with Monica Lewinsky. They felt she should have set a better example by leaving her husband and making it on her own. Her staying with Bill was an admission that she couldn't forge ahead in her career without him.
Comment: I think you young woman in your 20's and 30's SHOULD FEEL GUILTY FOR NOT VOTING FOR HILLARY!!!! You are a TRAITOR to your gender!!! Maybe you will be lucky enough to live to see another woman become president, but at 55, I KNOW I never will!!! And I don't want just ANY woman to be president!!! I want Hillary to be president because she is the most qualified of all the candidates who ran for president - on both sides of the aisle!!! Hillary has the perfect blend of toughness and strength to be a great president!!! Yet she has the biggest, warmest heart which means she is compassionate and understands people and cares about them!!
I think it would be a TRAVESTY for voters to shun a qualified woman aside for a naive, inexperienced, arrogrant, cocky, conceited rookie!!! Obama is all talk and no action and he is NOT QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT!!!! NO WAY, NO HOW!!! I know if he is the nominee, I will NOT VOTE for him!!!!
So again, YOU WOMEN SHOULD FEEL GUILTY!!!! And I am ANGRY as HELL at all of you for betraying your gender for another MAN to run this country --- over 200 years of men running this country -- same old, same old!!! Isn't it about time we gave the QUALIFIED WOMAN A CHANCE???
Comment: AlwaysforHillary, you are welcome to your opinion. I for one will not lose one wink of sleep knowing that you and other women like you are angry at me for voting my conscience.
Comment: Your comments are representative of the reason women suffer every day in business. Please don't diminish our ability to think independently as intelligent wormen. Please spend time researching the actual records of both candidates while in elected office and find out who have been able to pass meaningful legislation by working with others to reach a common objective - you might be surprised. This is what those of us supporting Senator Obama have done. We also know that "FIGHTING" is not a winning primary LEADERSHIP style - this is why Hillary Clinton's negatives are so high - she treats everything as a fight; even when people agree in substance; look at the debates - Senator Obama conceded points where they agreed; Senator Clinton wanted to fight every point even when they agree....this is not the leadership style we need in our nation and worldwide!
Comment: You "AlwaysforHillary" are a bigot and a hypocrite and Hillary is no more "qualified" to be President than Obama, and frankly I'm tired of all this age discrimination being pushed by Hillary and her supporters--that's all this talk of Obama being "unqualified" really is. Obama is more qualified than most of the Presidents that we've had, and I'm not buying Hillary's line about how being first lady makes her qualified. Since you like to yell I'll try to imitate your style here: YOU SHOULD BE MAD AS HELL AT HILLARY, SHE'S THE ONE WHO'S "BETRAYED" HER GENDER. AS FIRST LADY, HER JOB WAS TO IMPUGN THE INTEGRITY OF ANY WOMAN WHO CAME FORWARD ABOUT HER HUSBAND'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SHE REFUSES TO GIVE BACK MONEY TO THIS DAY FROM A FIRM THAT IS INUNDATED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT. WHEN HILLARY WAS A LAWYER, SHE REPRESENTED A MAN WHO WAS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD, AND SHE TRIED TO IMPUGN THE INTEGRITY OF THAT LITTLE GIRL TO GET THAT MAN OFF, HOW DOES THAT SQUARE WITH HER SUPPOSED DEEP CONCERN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN?!?!?!
Comment: I should feel guilty for not voting for Hilary JUST BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN? How is that NOT sexist? I don't see how it is betraying my gender, either. I am 100% behind equality, but equality is NOT voting/hiring/treating someone a certain way because of their gender , race, etc. Equality is giving everyone a fair chance and then voting/hiring, etc that person because of who they are as a person. That is what I am trying to do. I will not vote for Hilary simply because of her gender because then I would be no better than those who will not vote for her simply because of her gender. Equality is treating EVERYONE fair, REGARDLESS of their sex or gender.
Comment: Why do you think the 4 of 5 Dem women governors, including Janet Napolitano and Kathleen Sibelius, are supporting Obama?
I'm more hopeful than you. 55 is young. We have several excellent women governors and senators in the pipeline. I definitely think you will see a woman President in your lifetime. And she will be a better candidate than Hillary. One who got there on her own merits rather than on the coattails of her husband. Take heart.
Comment: We believe in Texas, she did not win the popular vote. At our caucus we discovered that multiple republicans went to the pooling booths and crossed lines to vote for Hillary. Reason being she would be an easier path to defeat for the GOP. There has been an actual campaign here to send GOP members to the main vote then of course they did not have to attend caucus - but then take a look at the overall result of the caucus here in Texas. Obama wins going away. We understand pretty much the same pattern took place in Florida. There are two popular votes out here in the real America. Let's be cautious of how the political undermines are working. Where is Carl Rove anyway?
Comment: Support sisterhood; support Obama's mother, whose multicultural vision and love lives in her work and her children's work.
Comment: Yah, support her son, since Obama's mother's gender automatically disqualifies her from being president.
Comment: I think our political system has now made it possible to give woman the chance to be president. However, feminism is not merely about supporting a particular gender. I am quoting Wikipedia below, where we can see a feminist vision that can ???think back through our mothers.??? It points to a spirit of not individuate us but to seek connection to in a larger web of life that connect past with present, white with black, man with woman, the interconnection between herstory and history. If some feminists feel guilty for not voting Hillary; I thought, in such a debate about sisterhood, it would not hurt to mention what Stanley Ann Dunham brings to the expanded vision of feminism.
From Wikipedia: Obama noted in the book that it was his mother rather than his natural father who taught him about his African American heritage.
She would come home with books on the civil rights movement, the recordings of Mahalia Jackson, the speeches of Dr. King. When she told me stories of schoolchildren in the South who were forced to read books handed down from wealthier white schools but who went on to become doctors and lawyers and scientists, I felt chastened by my reluctance to wake up and study in the mornings??? Every black man was Thurgood Marshall or Sidney Poitier; every black woman Fannie Lou Hamer or Lena Horne. To be black was to be the beneficiary of a great inheritance, a special destiny, glorious burdens that only we were strong enough to bear.
Obama noted in the book that he might have written a different book if he had known she was dying when he wrote it:
I think sometimes that had I known she would not survive her illness, I might have written a different book???less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was the single constant in my life. In my daughters I see her every day, her joy, her capacity for wonder. I won't try to describe how deeply I mourn her passing still. I know that she was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and that what is best in me I owe to her.
Comment: Obama is such a good person. I can not wait to have pride in him as my president. His story is as inspirational as his words. In voting for him, we would be voting for a man raised by a truly strong women who instilled great values in him.
Comment: Do you want a clue as to what the future looks like for the young, wonderful, honest women of our country have in store for themselves if they remain honest hard working and concerned about the future of our country read below. If you are so caught up in crying foul when no fouls have been made then don't bother it will be a waste of time for you.
What is great about Barack Obama is that he inspires all of the people by working for all of the people. Much unlike the Clinton Campaign who targets and supports only targeted demographic sectors to win votes. Barack Obama actually inspires even the future voters so much that they campaign for him because they are smart , concerned and know what a disappointing future we will have if Hillary or McCain are elected president. This is quite revealing in the comments made in an interview of a High School senior just old enough to vote and smart enough and well informed to make a well researched decision of who to vote for and support.
Casey Knowles, a High School Senior in Washington state, recently discovered she was one of the sleeping children in Clinton's controversial "Children" ad appearing prior to the Texas primaries.
Knowles, a supporter of Barack Obama was shocked that she had contributed to the national security message of a candidate that she passionately opposes.
When asked by The New Argument, this is what Knowles had to say about her appearance in Clinton's ad:
"While I love Hillary, I would much rather hear Barack Obama's voice at the other end of the phone at 3am. Its hilarious and ironic that the child in Hillary's ad is now of voting age and not her supporter. I've been campaigning for Barack since October and was a caucus precinct captain. I've been a very avid advocate of his and recruited a lot of folks to caucus for him in January. He's inspired and mobilized so many already, he's refreshing and quite simply the best option for people who want to change this country."
Hillary and her team will stoop to the lowest of lows and the dirtiest of dirt to win at any cost. The 3:00am call ad is pure Rove all the way!
Comment: Fellow Hillary supporters. If Obama gets the nomination, we must withdraw our support from the democratic party to show our objection to the party's failure to ever nominate a female candidate. Let's see them win in November without us. The only thing a political party understands is a loss of power. When they lose in November because they don't have our support, they will take us seriously next time.
Comment: Steve5684 , I want to make sure that I understand your position. If Sen. Obama wins the nomination, you will either not vote or vote republican not because Sen. Clinton did not win, but a woman did not win the nomination. To me there is a distinct differnece between Hillary winning and just any woman winning.
Comment: Hear! Hear! I make this pledge to you, Steve. I am a brown man so I was quite intrigued by Obama's candidacy at first. But the blatant cruelty with which the Obama supporters and Media have treated Hillary has turned me completely over to her side. The sort of cheap and disgusting things I have heard Chris Matthews and Tucker say - it fills me with pity and sympathy.
Comment: I can see you are angry, but really you are only defeating yourself. Obama has brought in a entire generation of young voters, disenfranchised voters, apathetic voters, independents and mod-Repubs. Yes, some Hillary voters will not support Obama, but numbers-wise, it's not that many. The huge turnouts, the enormous numbers of first time voters are due to the excitement generated by Obama and the new politics he has brought to the process. People are ready for a hopeful message.
Sorry you are so angry that Hillary isn't doing better, but you've already admitted that you're not a Dem and you're voting for McCain. What's the problem? You seem happy with McCain.
Comment: What are you going to do when Obama loses OH, MI, FL, Penn?
Comment: He's already ahead in pledged delegates and losing those states won't change it. That's the mathematical reality. Furthermore, when the superdelegates consider whom to support, they are going to think about their own elections and wonder who will be better at the top of the ticket. Hillary, who will mobilize my opponent's Republican base or Obama, who Repubs seem to like ok.
The leaders who have yet to declare don't really like the Clintons. Gore hates them; he blames them for his loss in 2000. Pelosi despises Hillary. So you see, Hillary really has no chance? Did I mention that Obama is going to win Mississippi (on Tues), NC, Indiana, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, etc. So you see, the race is already over even though we are going through the motions.
Comment: I was referring to the general election. He would lose those four states, and the presidency. Regarding the nomination, when all is said and done, Hillary will have won the popular vote. With that, the superdelegates will go with her, and Obama's dreams will go down in flames.
Comment: Oh, he might lose OH and FL, probably not MI and PA. But it would be the exact same result with Hillary. But then Obama would win a lot of other states that are normally purple, including many states in the South that have a strong Dem and black population. Remember Bush won many of those in 2000 & 2004.
Don't worry about the general for Obama. He doesn't mobilize the Republican base, and most of the mod-Repubs don't like Bush. He also wins a lot of the independents, unlike Hillary.
Hillary won't win the popular vote. He's expanding his lead with every state.
Comment: Also, many of Hillary's voters that are giving her wins in those states will vote for any democratic nominee. Maybe some of them will be angry she loses but they are still reliable democratic voters. They will vote especially after the Bush disaster. It has provern time and time again that the part comes back together. More importantly, Many of Obama's voters are unreliable democratic voters they will stay home if hillary is the nominee and we will go down in defeat to the republicans once again just like Kerry did. I was a Dean supporter last cycle. He was attracting many young voters and new people and out raising republicans but when these same staunch dem's handed him a defeat on a platter their guy Kerry lost. I voted for kerry against Bush but I am a reliable Dem. If the Democratic party wants to get back to our once great ness, we have to vote for a great candidate. We have o bring new people into our party. Hillary supporters are already there and obviously not enough to put us over the top. We should have handily defeated Bush both times. If Hillary is the nominee, I will vote for her but we will lose with her. I predict that if Obama is the nominee we will win with a landslide. Come on Dems, lets give the new people eyeing our party a chance don't crush their hopes maybe they are right. If Hillary wins we will lose them and possibly the most reliable vote in our party. African Americans.
Comment: sunsetrs, I understand and agree with most of your statement. The exception is that I really really hope that the majority of Blacks, I really dislike the whole "African American" title, will if they are voting for Sen. Obaman and Sen. Clinton wins. I hope that they will do as I plan to do which is back which ever candidate "LEGALLY" wins the nomination.
Now that said, I will be livid if one Senator "LEGALLY" wins the popular vote of the people and that decision is overturned by the Super Delegates. That would really piss me off, but not enough to vote Republican.
Comment: What I think is not fair and totally ridiculously biased is that "sisterhood" view of Clinton's media issues.
I strongly dispute the fact that those things about her cleavage or her hair made the headlines.
Instead it's her character, her secretiveness, her stuborness, her hypocrisy (the NAFTA wink wink ... what ajoke ... the Clinton campaign are the one who *reached out* to the Canadians we're learning).
It's all those negatives about her that makes people don't like her. It has nothing to do with her gender. If anything, her gender brings her the sympathy of her "sisters" that exagerates the so-called biais the media has towards her.
So ok, fair enough : Obama is far from perfect, he delivers good speeches but we don't know what's behind. Maybe it's an empty suit, maybe there's no beef ... but at least there's this "maybe". With Clinton, if we're honnnest with ourselves just 5 seconds, we know for sure what we're going to have : a flawed candidate, a flawed president, and that judgement has nothing to do with her gender. I'd vote for Pelosi 30 times over Barack. And "let's get real" for a moment ... seriously ... There was a bunch of other MEN in the race ... and WHITE ones in additions ... some of them (biden, richardson) with even more experience that she claims to have. What happened ? she beat them ... handilly ... talking about biais ??? give me a break !
Wake up "sisters" ... what you have to fear is that the first woman president will be a **very** unpopular one. Think about it ... will the pattern of electing a women be repeated if Clinton is elected and keep perpetuating that sense hate and flames among americans ? Really ... think about it ... women represent roughly 60% of the electorate. It's nonsense to believe that "evil men" are the ones that are blocking you from accessing to the important positions in politics, and that a candidate that is a female will never have the chance to get to the presidency again. Even mathematically speaking it's pure nonsense .... As the clear majority you have ALL the aces in hands to make that happen whenever it can happen. So please stop the whining. Hillary has a very real likeability problem, a real character problem, and yes it's an issue because the next president should be a uniter not a divider. So please regain some sense ... Hillary is just a bad candidate. If you really want to do a favor to women, please don't vote for her if you're not really convinced she's the best person at the job (after all you can disagree and argue that sh'es the most honnest, caring, humble, respectful, straight and inspiring person you know). Because if you do only based on her gender, you'll seriously erode what could have been indeed a formidable spotlight for women cause around the wold ... Again ... think about it.
Comment: Hillary aside, it's funny that the democratic party, in all these years, has never nominated a single woman to the presidential ticket. If women were getting half the slots, as we should given that we're half the population, no one would care about Hillary's gender.
I say, if Obama wins, vote McCain. Who wants to pay higher taxes to support the Democratic party's sexist collectivism. They want to redistribute your wealth because it's "fair," yet they can't seem to share power with the female portion (which is greater than half) of the party. Screw that. *votes McCain, doesn't get my taxes raised by Obama*
Comment: The governement has to regulate capitolism to a certain extent otherwise all the money rises to the top and everyone knows people at the bottom spend more money in greater numbers on goods and services that drives the economy and eventually flows back to the top. The bottom has no money then eventually neither does the top. Example: Lassiez- faire politics= The Great Depression.. The solution to the depression=FDR..... I doubt judging by your intelligence on this and many other discussions that you are part of the top 2% in money making so your taxes will if anything be lowered under a democratic administration. If you've won the lottery or something then just hush and pay your taxes its your civic duty.
Comment: Betray the sisterhood?
Why is it so hard to fathom the idea that some women, or for that matter, some men, might not support Hiilary because of her politics, and not because she's a woman?
Would an 'enligh
