It seems to me that we (or maybe it’s just me) have an easier time accepting female politicians if they are over a certain age. I wonder why that it? I had no issue at all with Margaret Thatcher, or Indira Ghandi as leaders of their respective countries. Actually, I’m fine with Diane Feinstein as well.
While I cannot stomach Sarah Palin, in all truthfulness, Hilary Clinton did not really do it for me either. No doubt she has sterling qualifications for political office, but there is something off putting to me in her manner. Don’t get me wrong, comparing Sarah and Hilary is not only unfair, but frankly ludicrous. Hilary is intelligent, educated, knowledgeable and sophisticated. Sarah is bargain basement goods. Still, it surprises me that I have reservations about a lot of the females in the political arena.
Barbara Boxer annoys me. California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (the left wing conscience of politics) does not. I love Barbara Lee. I also very much liked the former governor of Texas, Ann Richards. Okay, I’m a liberal. Why can’t I get behind Clinton or Boxer?
Another possible reason for my dichotomy here is that perhaps I like women politicians who I see as women first, and politicians second. While I’m sure some Palin supporters would argue this, I see Sarah Palin as a politician first last and always. I’m not taken in with her beauty contestant history, mooseburgers, or even her fertility.
Barbara Boxer and Hilary Clinton are the same in the politician first realm to my way of thinking. Neither of them seems (pardon the expression) womanly to me. On the other hand, Barbara Lee is a woman first. Diane Feinstein is a woman first. And without a doubt, Ann Richards was a woman first.
My cousin Kelly could not believe that I did not want to see Sarah Palin in the White House. Kelly is from Oklahoma and everyone she knows felt the same way. I doubt that Kelly was opposed to Obama because he was black. She was just supporting the female candidate.
I prefer Obama, (and his wife) to the Clintons or the Kennedys. Yes, Michelle would be in the “woman first” category too if she ever ran for office.
