Fair Warning: Click at Your Own Peril
Most of the year, I keep my political angst bottled up inside of me and off of the blog. Once a year, I channel it into one post to get it off of my chest. This will be that post. So, unless you are very masochistic or a political junkie like I am, you might not want to click on the Continue Reading link. So, put your hands in your pockets and whistle while you stroll on by. There is a lovely Houseblogs button to the right of this post in the middle column (there it is! See it?) and you will find much domicile talk over there. Nothing to see here.
As for the rest of you? I gave you fair warning. Especially my mom, because I mention the u-word and the v-word in here. (Well, the v-colloquialism, anyway.)
I've been more laid back during this election year than I usually would be, probably because I have so much else going on. But it is comments like the following (from a commenter at Notes from the Trenches) that have me gritting my teeth with barely contained frustration:
I still have to say I’m shocked that you aren’t supporting a female candidate. I mean, I could see supporting someone that really appealed to you over a female candidate, but when no one jumps out at you, I really thought you’d be like me and go for a woman in power. She’s no worse than the others and at least we’d be showing our daughters (metaphorical in my case) that a woman can be in charge.
This is only a little taste of the insistent cries within the blogosphere (and on the street) for women to vote for Hillary because she happens to own a uterus. Some have even gone so far as to call women who aren't going to vote for Hillary "traitors" and I find that shocking and ridiculous.
Look, if you are Hillary supporter, good for you. Glad you are voting in the primaries. Everyone should read up on the issues and search their heart for what they think is best for the country. Pick a candidate, participate in the freedom to cast your vote.
But when you tell me or any other woman that we are traitors to our gender for voting for Obama (or, before he dropped out, for Edwards)? No. Nope. I'm drawing the line there, sister-friend.
If Elizabeth Dole or Condoleeza Rice were running for President against Obama would you chastise me for voting against a woman? Seriously, please ladies.
As I said on Chris' blog:
I kind of thought that when my grandmother and mother fought for equal rights that they were fighting for my opportunity to vote for someone whose policies I most agree with. Which means that I voted for Obama today. I don’t subscribe to the line of thought that I’m supposed to vote my gender because it is my gender. That would make me no better than all of the white men who shut women and African Americans out of the political race for so long. And I think that equality means freedom to vote your conscience. Enough of this “You’re betraying your gender!” line of argument. It’s insulting to the intelligence of women.
Yes, that is right. I voted for Obama on Super Tuesday. For many reasons. Some of which other people who are more eloquent than I have stated here. But mostly, for the following reasons:
1. I think Obama has the ability to do what very few politicians (and no one else in the running) has the ability to do...mobilize people for change from the top-down AND the bottom-up. Being President doesn't mean trying to run the country by yourself in order to improve it (though certain Presidents have done an awfully good job of attempting to run it themselves and have ended up driving it right into an economic ditch.) Being someone who encourages people to set higher goals and reach them, who inspires hope during trying times, who has the intelligence/charisma/political skills to actually back up the hype would be a leader I could get behind.
As another person--Slarty Bartfast-- has remarked: Brilliant oratory skills matter a lot in a presidential candidate. More so than experience. More so than detailed politics. In my lifetime, there have been *at most* two or three politicians who have demonstrated an ability to think about government in compassionate, complex terms and then convey their vision to other people as effectively as Obama has. It signals a level of intelligence and competence that may never have been this close to winning the presidency. The single most important characteristic of a good leader is being able to unify and inspire a group of diverse people, with diverse interests, to work toward a common vision.
2. Those who say that Obama lacks experience have no idea what they are talking about. He has 25 years of experience in grassroots community organizations, practicing in and lecturing on constitutional law, serving in the Illinois State Legislature, and the serving in U.S. Senate. If you think that the U.S. Senate can't get anything done and can be a complex mess? Then you just don't know ANYTHING about the Illinois State Legislature and I think he did an extremely good job there. He was elected as the Harvard Law Review's first black president in its 104 year history. He completed his J.D. degree magna freaking cum laude. He has more experience than MANY past presidents who have been elected to this office. And I like his perspective on the issues that matter to me, personally. These might not be the issues that matter most to you and that is fine.
Again, I'm not alone here. As krinklyfig explains: I've done enough research to be able to make a decision. His background tells me that he is dedicated and understands how to build social efforts from the roots of the community to national political office. He has dedicated his life to this work, he has an excellent education and the most far-reaching upbringing, and he never seems to tire or lose sight of what's important. I truly think that it's not politics that drives him, but rather the value of putting real solutions to work for people. Unlike just about every other candidate, there is nothing you can say about him that makes him look slimy, underhanded, dishonest, Machavellian, conniving or opportunist, because he hasn't ever lived his life that way. He's the real deal. But he said that he wouldn't want to run again if he loses this time, because Washington will eventually change him in a way that will compromise his purpose, like it does everyone. That sort of honesty and understanding of the corrupting influence is what puts me in his corner. I fully believe he only intends to stay as long as he is doing some good, and not remain as a political careerist parasite on the system. And we'll see. But I'm convinced.
3. I'm voting for Obama because I'm a woman who is just not that impressed by Hillary Clinton (and I'm not the only one, as you can from Miko's comments). Not as impressed as I am by Obama. I've heard the arguments that it is "Hillary's turn" and that my mother's mother's generation wants to see a woman in the White House before they die, and I think that those arguments are completely idiotic reasons to vote for someone. There are no "turns" in running a country. If there were "turns" than Jeb Bush would be up after Hillary and we'd be running this country like a kindergarten classroom. As for my mother's mother's generation, I'm an eternally grateful for the work they did on behalf of the women in generations after them to bolster the cause of women's rights. But my right to express my own opinion and cast my own vote is the very right I would be surrendering if I bought into their arguments against my vote for Obama. Please, ladies, if you are pulling the lever for Hillary, pull it because she would be the best candidate whether she were a man or a woman. Anything less insults your intelligence and work you've done for the cause.
Will I vote for a woman for President someday? I sure hope so. I'll be voting for the next woman who I think is the best candidate for the job out of all the candidates in the field. Am I proud to be able to consider voting for a woman candidate in November? Let's see, how do I say this any more convincingly? HELL YES.
And if you think I am a traitor to va-jay-jays everywhere by rejecting the notion of voting based on someone's anatomy? Or for pulling the lever for Obama? That is fine with me. I'm proud to say that I'd rather focus on the content of my candidate's character and what he or she has going on above their waistline, thanks.
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Comments
As I said the other day, I am a registered Republican, although I would rather be registered as an INDEPENDENT based on the premise that I can choose the right one.
My state of Virginia allows a regitered R or D (not I - can't vote a primary) so in light of my preferences I will for the 1st time vote in the Democratic Primary against Clinton and for Obama.
Not just because I don't like Hillary but because I believe that Obama can get the job done on his terms not what the "MACHINE" wants.
After having to vote Clinton or Bush for the past 6 seasons I cannot believe either of those 2 names can create change.
Who knows ? I may just vote Obama. He shows me the most character.
great comments Jeanne !
Posted by: Dad | February 7, 2008 1:36 PM
Very well spoken!
Posted by: Stacie | February 7, 2008 1:45 PM
I "clicked" and my peril made it through to the other side relatively unscathed. Thanks for the warning though. :)
Posted by: Bungalow Monster | February 7, 2008 2:06 PM
Thank you for saying all of that, and for saying it so eloquently and powerfully.
There is a part of me that wants to be able to cast my vote for Hillary; it is the part of me that wants the woman to be the best candidate, because for so long we were assumed to not be candidate material at all. But for me the key is this issue of who is the BEST candidate. Having a uterus should not exclude a woman from being a leader, but having a uterus does not MAKE her the better candidate. And voting for Obama -- which I did, proudly -- does not make me less of a feminist.
I come here for the houseblogging, but I stay for the impassioned political analysis.
Posted by: Susan | February 7, 2008 2:15 PM
Well said-- that dreaded F-word (feminism!) is about choice and the freedom to make one without being restricted by gender.
I still don't know who I want to throw my weight behind, but I certainly don't like being told who I'm supposed to support!
Posted by: Amalie | February 7, 2008 2:18 PM
Well said and I'm right with you on this!
Posted by: Laura | February 7, 2008 2:27 PM
Yeehaw, Jeanne!I couldn't have said it better myself!
Posted by: Mitzi | February 7, 2008 2:42 PM
I find it hard yet somehow easy to believe that someone would vote a certain way because of gender. One thing I know is that we have been wanting change from a politician for a long time now, with no actual results. I find it harder to believe that there is a politician out there that will make due on all of their promises. Any of them seem to have nearly unmeasurable changes on the good of the country anyway. That said. I choose to vote on a candidate whose own self interests are aligned with mine. Being that I own real estate in a state where a presidential candidate has numerous holdings (Hello Whitewater scandal) then why not benefit the one thing that my life tends to revolve around... my house.
Posted by: Ionic | February 7, 2008 2:58 PM
Well said!
Posted by: Carol | February 7, 2008 3:09 PM
I love it when someone thinks logically about these things. Like you said, women shouldn't vote for only women just like white men shouldn't just for only white men. It seems obvious. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by: Sarah | February 7, 2008 3:12 PM
Well said! I'm thrilled that a woman is running in this election, and I do like Hillary (she's currently my Senator), but Obama got my vote too. I chose to back the person whose beliefs, not body parts, most closely matched my own.
Posted by: mindy | February 7, 2008 3:19 PM
Ah, so that's what happens when I go in the basement. Y'all talk politics.
Posted by: Ken J | February 7, 2008 4:11 PM
I had no idea you were billysumday. I really appreciated your comments in that mefi thread, and your comments here. Neat small blog world - I've been following this blog and mefi for quite some time independently, and enjoying them both.
Thanks for making such positive contributions in both places!
Posted by: Ben | February 7, 2008 4:56 PM
I love my dad. Hi dad!
Thanks for the comments all. I want to be sure that everyone knows that I don't hate anyone who votes for Hillary. I just want them to vote for her because they think she is the best candidate whether or not she is a woman, and to not cry "traitor" at those of us who think otherwise.
I'm always happy when people get excited about an election. The more people who participate, the better, IMHO.
(Oh hai, Ben. No I'm not billysumday. Though I am a Mefite :) #23212 What's your Mefi name?)
Posted by: jm | February 7, 2008 6:31 PM
I appreciate the fact that Hillary is running and has made such an impressive showing. However, I think that Obama is a better candidate for our country now.
Thanks for sharing your well-spoken political thoughts.
Posted by: Anne | February 7, 2008 8:01 PM
I voted as a republican in a primary for the 1st time just so I could vote for McCain. He is the only one with Military experience. Usually not an important topic to me but there are well over 100,000 military service men & women currently fighting a war. You can't ship them all home in one day. They are going to be there for a while like it or not. I can sleep at night knowing that at least McCain lived through war and knows what all the service men & women are going though. My ward is something like 2% republican. I don't think I rejected my gender or my neighborhood. I just voted my concious. Hope you all did the same.
Posted by: Danielle | February 7, 2008 8:56 PM
Speaking as a Brit who lived under the oppression of the Thatcher years, I heartily agree; a vote based on gender alone is insane. Single issue voters are their own worst enemies.
Am really enjoying following the candidates this time around and am really glad that their is such diversity among them. The whole thing this time is so much more dramatic than anything I've known previously, and also appears to me at least so potentially much more democratic.
Posted by: Bed and breakfast Man | February 8, 2008 2:43 AM
COuld someone please explain to a confused Canuck how all this works? It seems so complicated, with caucuses and super delegates and regular delegates. It seems to take a long time and cost a lot of money. They say on CNN that X won the state but may have not won the memers? I just don't understand. BTW, tongue in cheek, wouldn't Hilary be good, because then you would get 2 for the vote of 1.
Posted by: Janet | February 8, 2008 9:30 AM
Okay. I've been reading your blog for a long time and gleaning information and inspiration from it. I don't usually comment on blogs because 1) I am shy and 2) I have nothing worthwhile to say.
But this post made me break my don't-make-myself-look-like-an-ass rule to say thank you, thank you, thank you. I am with you all the way and greatly admire your tasteful and unoffensive delivery of such impassioned sentiments. The incredible personality that shows in each post is a huge part of what keeps me coming back to read again and again.
Posted by: Amber | February 8, 2008 11:21 AM
Well, said and thank you for voting for Obama. I'm a registered Republican so I can't vote for him here in DC, but I have broken my own rule about blogging about national politics to support Obama. If I convince one person to vote for him in the Primary on my behalf, it would be well worth it.
What you said, really hits the nail on the head.
I really wish I could say race is not a factor for me (I'm black) but I believe 90% of my support for Obama comes from something other than his race. He has the power to unite us. I don't care for this red state, blue state bickering. A man who has the power to inspire a wide spectrum of Americans can inspire us to all put our shoulders to the wheel, work together and make this country great.
Posted by: Mari | February 8, 2008 11:54 AM
Thanks for this sentiment. I found myself supporting Edwards, for reasons I could never as clearly enunciate as you have here, and at time I felt like that was a traitorous thing to do. I mean, I could chose from a woman (Finally!) or a black man (Finally!!) and I, er, liked John. ::Head hung in shame:: But the point is that I'm *free* to support who I support and I'm all goose-pimply that we have the choices we have.
And in the Small World category, I got my rain barrel from Mari. I'm shamefaced to admit it hasn't been connected at the new house... but really, I'm getting off my tush to do that now! Really soon. Hopefully.
Posted by: sophiagrrl | February 8, 2008 1:08 PM
Ionic said, "I find it hard yet somehow easy to believe that someone would vote a certain way because of gender."
I agree Ionic. In a big way. And you can bet your sweet boopie that there are going to be tons of men who AREN'T voting for Hillary simply because she is a women. While I know that it happens, I find that "somehow hard yet easy" to believe,too. That's still voting because of gender. Interestingly enough, this same discussion is going on about race, too. And yes, I also find that hard to believe as well.
Perhaps that's the problem with out system. We get so hung up on stereotypes (which the candidates capitalize on) that we don't have the ability to take a step back and look at what really matters - the ability to actually run a country well.
I, too, will vote with my head and vote for the candidate that I think will be the best for our country, overall.
Hillary isn't it right now. I wish she were, but she isn't. sigh.
Posted by: Wendy | February 8, 2008 3:53 PM
I used to be a huge McCain supporter (lived in AZ for 12 years) but when he started to toe the Neocon's line, my faith faltered. I am a Libertarian at heart and I'm always skeptical with the Democrats tax and spend methodology (of course now we have reduce taxes and spend more but I digress...).
After checking out the candidates and reading, "The Audacity of Hope" by Obama, I STRONGLY feel that he is the best person for the job. If you have not read this book, I urge you to beg, borrow, or check out it of a library. If even 10% of it is true, he will be the best president the USofA will have had since I've been alive (late 60s).
This man is all about positive change.
Posted by: perogi | February 8, 2008 5:46 PM
You have such a wonderful writing style, and stated your opinions so well. I went and listened to Hillary speak last night, and wanted desperately to go and see Obama speak today, but couldn't get off work. Obama has gotten me to pay more attention to politics than I ever have and I love how we reminds everyone of their civic duty and that "we" need to work together to create the change that everyone is hopeful for. Hillary has a great presence in person, but the more reading and listening I do, I am more convinced that she is not the right one for the job and that Obama is. I'll be caucusing tomorrow and am so hopefull that Washington State will push Obama into the lead.
Well said Jeanne!
Posted by: Trissa | February 8, 2008 9:58 PM
I voted for Hillary because I like her; not because she's a woman. If Hillary wasn't in the race, I would have voted for Obama. I like him, mostly (not thrilled that he jumped into the mortgage crisis situation and started talking about bailing out asshats who took out million dollar mortgages when they make $60k/year, but that's one of my hot buttons). Just like I like Hillary, mostly (I wish she would pander less). I don't understand people who hate Hillary and I don't understand people who hate Obama. Personally, I'm holding out for a dream ticket with both of them so that all of my political wants can be fulfilled.
Posted by: casacaudill | February 9, 2008 12:03 AM
Amen. To all of it.
Posted by: Jenny | February 9, 2008 9:03 PM
Jeanne - You have taken the time to put into words what I have been trying to piece together in my own brain for weeks - thank you... thank you!!! I'm sure you've seen the Yes We Can video - I watch it every day and it still makes me cry. (http://www.dipdive.com)
Posted by: Jenifer | February 9, 2008 9:52 PM
Very interesting post.
Thanks for a good read!
Posted by: Atlanta New Home | February 11, 2008 12:27 PM
Hey, I hate to rain on the love parade, but I think you may have overreacted to the comment that you rested your entire entry on. I believe the author of the comment meant that, all other things being equal, the fact that Hillary is a woman might tip the scales. In other words, the va-jay-jay doesn't control the vote, but just adds weight to one choice if you are otherwise undecided.
Posted by: Buckeye | February 14, 2008 12:35 PM
What a great post. I don't have much to add, except to say that I was an Edwards supporter, too, before he dropped out. I really believed in him and his platform, especially with regard to poverty and health care. I also appreciated the fire in his belly---he seemed to have a passion for these issues that could not be matched.
I found it frustrating that people I spoke with either assumed that I would vote for Hillary (because I am female), or questioned why I would vote for Edwards ("another white man" as I was repeatedly told).
Of course I'd love to see a woman and/or an African-American take office, and both Hillary and Obama are qualified candidates. I just liked Edwards' position better, and that is what matters most to me.
Now I am an Obama-backer. Like you, I do not feel one shred of guilt about not backing a lady. Do I think that there is sexism in this process that should be addressed? Certainly! That doesn't make her my candidate, though.
Posted by: Kori | February 15, 2008 1:48 PM
the va-jay-jay doesn't control the vote, but just adds weight to one choice if you are otherwise undecided.
Pardon me if I disagree. Chris had revealed who she was voting for and the commenter had reprimanded her for not voting for a fellow woman.
But things are never equal. I think for the commenter to assume that Chris thought that they were equal and just decided to cast her vote for "the black guy" oversimplifies things to a degree that should be embarrassing to any woman who is interested in voting in any election or primary. I think that for someone to assume that anyone voting for Obama is voting AGAINST women is, frankly, very wrong. They would be voting against Hillary Clinton. And for a candidate that they liked. And that should be good enough for anyone who doesn't know the details. Especially a fellow woman.
Posted by: jm | February 15, 2008 3:25 PM
I'm very late to the party on this one, but jm, you speak for me on this issue too. Well done!
(Although my state didn't swing Obama's way, my household did. Baby steps ...)
Posted by: Lisa | February 16, 2008 7:38 PM
I had dinner with a professor from UIUC last week.I said this was the first time I was voting that I wasn't sure who I was going to vote for (I didn't mention that I was leaning toward Obama and ended up voting for him). I left it at that as I don't discuss politics as a general rule.
At dessert, he asked "Why do people like Obama?" and I listed many of the reason you have in here. Then this guy went on to tell me that anyone who would consider voting for him was an idiot, and, get this - He is running on a platform of change just like BUSH ran on a platform of change and THUS they will be the same kind of president with the same policies. He seriously said that. I corrected him several times, but he just got more animated about it. Yep. Running on a platform involving change means you will apparently turn into George Bush overnight.
It's been over a week and I'm still angry about it. And really, that just reinforces the reasoning behind my don't-talk-about-politics rule.
Posted by: Jen | February 18, 2008 7:38 PM
Later still. I'm with you Jeannie and crossing my fingers that my state (Ohio) follows. I did what I could!
Posted by: Mary | February 21, 2008 9:53 AM
And latest still, but since I was the author of the original comment, I feel it may still be timely. I, like you, have been caught up in other matters and been lax in reading blogs that I used to on a daily basis.
I'm afraid you've miscontrued my comment. It certainly wasn't meant as a reprimand to Chris (who can vote for whoever the hell she wants to without any input from little old me). As I recall (dimly), my interpretation of the thrust of her post was that no particular candidate had won her over and she was sort of half-heartedly giving the edge to Obama. Maybe I read her post incorrectly.
Buckeye really did read the comment the way I intended it. If you don't like any of them, why not give the edge to a woman. And I stand by that comment. I appreciate your zeal and I'm glad you've found a candidate that you're so enthusiastic about supporting. I wish everyone put as much thought into the political process as you have.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | March 18, 2008 10:51 PM