Moms On Issues
with Sara and Veronica
We're two moms with different backgrounds, jobs and points of view, writing about our opinions on the political and social issues affecting working moms. We'll also keep our eye on the media and the celebrity mom world to highlight issues that are relevant to your life.
Check out our personal blogs: Veronica's Blog and Sara's Blog
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Last night I attended a lecture put on by the Jewish United Fund of Chicago that focused primarily on next week’s important presidential election. After giving a brief overview of both McCain and Obama’s political stances, the speaker turned her attention to Hillary Clinton, who she said, paved the way for one of the most exciting election seasons in recent memory.
I second that motion.
The speaker, Julia Strauss of Northwestern, pointed out two key components of Hillary’s run for president that changed the campaign, and perhaps politics for years to come.
First, without Hillary would there even be Sarah Palin? I think most pundits would agree that part of the rationale for McCain’s choice of Palin as VP is to get the Hillary vote. This is not a novel concept, but as we look back at the 2008 election, are we giving Hillary enough credit for putting into our brain that a woman should be on this year’s ticket no matter the party?
As we discussed last night, everyone is so focused on the race issue this year that we’re forgetting about the sex issue. Racism becomes a political issue, but a candidate’s sex becomes a fashion and emotional issue. If we only remember one thing about Hillary getting into the mix and putting herself out there as a presidential candidate, it’s to remember that we should evaluate our candidates outside of their race AND gender. I know I’m speaking to the choir, but I’m trying to remind myself as well.
Second, without Hillary’s drive and focus, would this election have been even as remotely exciting as it was? I suppose another male candidate could have given Obama an equal run for his money, but there’s something about Hillary’s appeal as a woman to other women as well as the media’s effort to highlight this appeal (and repulsion) that I believe kept the primary season going for as long as it did. Would the media and audiences have had as much fodder or reason to perpetuate the election drama if the candidate was just another old white dude? I think not.
I’m no political pundit, but I think that if Hillary was a man, the shape of politics in 2008 would be a completely different story. And I hope her legacy as a hard-fighting woman will continue to shape election seasons for years to come.
Readers, what do you think? What did Hillary do for you this election season?
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I second what you said! Hillary has motivated so many more women, both Dems and GOP, to get more involved and active. Now we just need to figure out how to keep the momentum going!
PunditMom | October 30th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I absolutely agree. Although I would not have voted for Hillary, her candidacy was an important step forward in getting people to think of the presidency as a gender-neutral office.
It would be interesting to hear what Hillary has to say about many aspects of this general election, after she no longer has a stake in its outcome.
SKL | October 30th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Well said!
Veronica | October 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I think you hit it on the nose. I am a McCain/Palin supporter and I would have been no matter who he chose as a VP. But I have to say that when Governor Palin (a title which they rarely use, as if they don’t want to remind people that she has executive experience) was chosen I got very excited. To see a woman anywhere near the WH other than first lady is a wonderful accomplishment, and I agree without Hillary this would not have happened. I also must say that I heard about the Governor of Alaska way back in June, I didn’t know her name but I knew it was a woman and I was hoping McCain would choose her. I also find it amazing that men continue to dowplay her abilities, here is a woman who ran a city (small though it was), and then a State and still had 5 children/ Women have always multi-tasked, I think we invented it! This is an exciting election, but I must admit I am concerned if Obama wins. I don’t care if he was purple, I think with him in the WH, and Reid and Pelosi in the congress, he will have a blank check. Barney Frank has already said that they are just waiting to help spread the wealth. Oh, one other thing. Obama asks people at his rallies, how many of you know a plumber who makes over $250,000 a year. Well my family is a family of plumbers, and let me tell you they make alot more than that! I think that question is very telling, are plumbers just too dumb to make a good living? Not elite enough I guess. Thanks for reading this long answer, I had a lot to say!
Phyllis | October 30th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I don’t think Obama or anyone has ever paralleled intelligence with income. So to insinuate that Obama thinks plumbers are dumb is a careless remark. Clinton also had a “blank check” for a few years and didn’t do much. Illinois has a blank check and we can’t even get a budget together! So I don’t buy into the blank check theory. Esp since Reid is actually pretty conservative and the theory that Obama is a radical is soooooo not true. I know radical and it ain’t Obama.
Veronica | October 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Maybe Joe Plumber will be the next candidate, and that will pave the way for plumbers in the white house! Actually when you think about it, their experience is quite relevant . . . .
I agree that Obama has made many elitist and condescending comments; the plumber one included. Anyone whose heritage involved honestly pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps would know better than to diss a hard-working, intelligent person in any legal trade.
SKL | October 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hillary is the bomb. She was a professional in her campaign and similar to Obama downplaying the race thing, she wanted to talk about politics, and was humble about what she has done for women.
Way back in 93 she had identified health care as something that needed attention, and was trying to make progress. Whenever health care gets solved, I think it can be said that she is in part responsible for first calling light to the inequities present in the current system.
“Anyone whose heritage involved honestly pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps would know better than to diss a hard-working, intelligent person in any legal trade.”
I don’t know what Obama said. Like all of them he’s said his share of dumb things, but do you mean to say you don’t think Obama honestly pulled himself up by his bootstraps? Because I think his story is incredibly impressive and also quite American - and I think he honestly pulled himself up by his bootstraps. I realize millions hate his policies, but to say honestly he hasn’t pulled himself up by his bootstraps…I don’t get it. More than 18 million voted to put him on the ticket. What is dishonest about that?
Lindsay | October 30th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Great post Sara! Lindsay, I agree with your comments and love you for pointing out the impact HRC has had on the Health Care issue! I think people tend to overlook the ground-breaking work she did on this issue.
Darcie | October 31st, 2008 at 7:27 am