Should Women Run For President?
Fri., September 12, 04:34 PM
Should Women Run For President?
This was the Connecticut Post's question of the week. I responded with some thoughts taken from my entry about Choosing a President.
On the surface, it seems like a really good idea. Over the last fifty years, there have been several women in public life who would have made superb leaders. Consider Eleanor Roosevelt, Shirley Temple Black, Condoleeza Rice, and a few first ladies like Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter and Lady Bird Johnson. (Madalyn Albright is capable, but she wasn't born in this country.)
Unfortunately, over that same period we have become painfully aware that the smartest and most capable men have not been successful presidents. The most successful presidents have either been part of the Washington “old boy” network or else well-liked guys who were willing to smile at the voters while the old boys went on running the government.
On the other hand, we will never overcome such obstacles unless and until women do attempt to become president. They need to prove themselves capable of raising funds — legally, because they will be audited more carefully than the men have been. Women will have to demonstrate that they can lead a nationwide campaign despite the hostility they will encounter — even from other women. And then, heaven help them, they will have to display grace and accountability when they lose, as they will have to do before we actually see a woman in the White House.
But the races will be interesting.
They printed it all despite its length. But the best letter, I thought, was the one that hoped people of all races, religions, and genders could run, and “no one would notice.” We can all hope for that.
I purposely did not mention Hillary Clinton because she is so controversial right now that she distorts the message. Many of the letters said, “a woman, sure, as long as it not Hillary.” That's what I expected. There were the usual comments of “a woman should stay home, not run for president.” We will forgive them their ignorance.
And from one (male) reader: “if a woman were president, we'd be at war with someone every other week.” Excuse me? You mean we're not??
