“amazing legislator”?? In the words of Chris Matthews, “name one of Obama’s legislative accomplishments”. Well, I guess you have time to google it now. Good post, but dont like the part about a black woman as first lady as progress. Why are women so content to just be the wife of the world’s most powerful leaders? And when are women going to get past race and come together? The polls show that men certainly have gotten past the race issue. At least for the most part.

You mention that one of your reasons for suporting BO is that you think HRC has been soft on supporting women’s reproductive rights. If so how do feel about him merely voting “present” on legislation limiting a woman’s right to choose in the Illinois Senate rather than coming out and voting to uphold those rights. That seems to me to be the actions of a legislator more committed to sitting on the fence than he is committed to anyone’s reproductive rights.

hope you didnt write anything substantive after: “Aside from my doubts about Hillary’s commitment to women’s rights.” because i stopped reading. i have my doubts that you know anything about the jr. senator from new york and former first lady.

Thanks Pinko. Glad to hear your voice.

Re: 1. Jimbo

Or the actions of a legislator who sees the grander strategy of the anti-choice pro-lifers and thwarts it.

http://ppaurora.blogspot.com/2008/02/setting-record-straight-illinois-nows.html

Stick to some criticism that has not been disproven as spin would you?

Lefty - he can’t.

PH, love it.

The rest of you, I so called this one.

I find it somewhat telling that you identify less with being a woman and more with being not-white. For me, race isn’t a deciding factor at all. But I am more and more compelled by arguments to elect Hillary, in part because she is a woman. I know there are many who wish the woman running was “Anybody but Hillary.” But let’s get real. People don’t get behind women leaders the way they get behind men. Obama is a great example of someone being able to come out of nowhere and gain a following based on his charisma. And let’s face it, it was his charisma that drew folks to him in the first place. The policies to back it up came after the fact. Hillary didn’t have that luxury. She’s been busting her ass and sticking her neck out on issues–healthcare in particular–long before they were en vogue. And she’s put up with a fair ration of shi*t along the way. It’s true that she has gotten as far as she has in part because she is the former First Lady. Which actually illustrates my point. It’s sad but true, without her last name, she wouldn’t have had the fundraising clout and political capital to get this far. And I can’t think of any other women who will be able to get this far in the near future because they won’t have those advantages. I’m with PL, I want to elect a female President. And Hillary Clinton might be our only chance to do that for a good long while.

I don’t agree with your stated assumptions. I don’t think it’s been assumed women will vote for Hillary and blacks for Obama…Most women i know, and im not terribly surprised about this, are voting for Obama.

Not to sound sexist here, but what i’ve seen has been almost akin to women getting all starry-eyed, the way they get when they see George Clooney or Denzel Washington….

You made up your mind four years ago? Wow..good for you, not to have question who you’re voting during all this campaigning. I envy that.

But seriously, do you really think having BO in office will provide representation to (black and brown people?). You don’t have to answer that.

I’m (still) voting for Hillary because my daughter is a Latina.

Re: 7. lush

Huh?

Re: 8. Anonymous

Exactly.

You lefties are obsessed with race, gender and all forms of identity politics. Or, at least when it is convenient. Would be making these same arguments about voting for the first woman if it were KBH? Or the first African-American if it were Condi Rice?

Something tells me you would then argue ideology.

Frankly, I respect that more than skin-deep, or gender-based appeals.

Why can’t we just vote for the best candidate?

Re: 5. 19th & 21st

His charisma? It’s called character.

Your logic on voting for HRC because it might be our only chance “for a good long while” is beyond twisted, but if you’re going with twisted logic, you could say the same about electing a black man.

Thanks for reminding me, yet again, that I don’t want to be among the ranks of ANYONE who is voting for a candidate based on race or gender.

Re: 5. 19th & 21st

“But let’s get real. People don’t get behind women leaders the way they get behind men. Obama is a great example of someone being able to come out of nowhere and gain a following based on his charisma. And let’s face it, it was his charisma that drew folks to him in the first place. ”

Uhhhh, Ann?

Re: 10. double tonic

dt’s Devil’s advocate here … I don’t really think anyone (on this blog, anyway) is voting one way or the other based solely on race or gender. When two candidates are so close on the issues, it’s OK, with me at least, if gender, or race, or charisma, or whatever, tips the scales.

Re: 5. 19th & 21st

I keep hearing about how experienced and capable Hillary Clinton is and how she’s ready to lead from Day One. But I received this email from Hillary’s Texas Campus Coordinator TWO DAYS AGO, with the request that I forward it to my students:

Hillary Clinton Internship and Volunteer Opportunities Available!
Come and intern with the Hillary Clinton campaign in Texas! The campaign is looking for energetic, progressive people who want to put Hillary Clinton into the White House! Hours are completely flexible
with a small requirement, and the Texas Campaign team is a lot of fun.
No experience necessary. You will walk out the door at the end of the internship knowing how to run a local field program, as well as having met some really great friends from all over the country.
To apply for an internship with Hillary Clinton’s campaign or learn about volunteer opportunities, email ***.

So, the Clinton campaign began organizing college students a week after early voting started.

How is it that the supposed empty suit without experience or any hope of capably running an executive office has put together such a superior campaign in this state from bottom to top?

Re: 10. double tonic
& 11. Anonymous

If Pinko Heart made up her mind after Obama’s speach in 2004, it had little to do with his character—which was by and large unproven at the national level at that point—and everything to do with his charisma. You can’t tell me that one of the reasons the DNC asked him to make that speech wasn’t based on that to some degree. “Let’s put this young rockstar out there and get people fired up about the Democratic party.” Because he was more appealing than the guy on the ticket to many, and they knew it. The desired reaction was “Wow! Who is this Barack Obama? And how can we get him to run for something?” And it was one I shared. Again, it’s easier for a relatively unknown, charismatic male—particularly one of another race—to gain a following and support amongst D’s than it is for a woman. Because it was so much easier for Barack to get to this level than it was for Hillary—or Barbara Boxer or Diane Feinstein—I think I can reasonably argue that it will be harder for another woman to get here again. People can damn the Clinton machine all to hell and back, but I’m grateful for it. Because it’s the reason she’s got a shot at this thing at all. And Pinko Heart made the case for voting against “white privilege” over voting for a woman. That, to me, is somewhat racist. I’m just a big, fat feminist. And I’m sorry, but I do believe that there is a more widely accepted bias toward gender than there is toward race. I see it every day.

Ann didn’t come out of nowhere. She worked tirelessly for others for years and built the relationships that afforded her the opportunity to be our Governor. And she took more than a fair ration of shi*t along the way, too. There’s no denying her charisma and appeal, but she didn’t have the kind of support from day one that Obama has received.

Something else I find annoying about the kid gloves Obama’s being treated with? W committed similar indiscretions with certain substances, and it’s been fair game for monologue jokes, etc…. The fact that stuff is off-limits where Obama is concerned—and that D’s are so much more forgiving and accepting of him than we are of W—suggests a whole lot of white guilt is at play.

I’m not voting for HRC because she’s a woman. I’m voting for her because she gives me more hope than he does. Hope that this country and the world will finally understand that women’s rights are human rights and that everyone is equal, no matter where you come from or what you believe in. I feel that she can do that for us. I’ve had my share of empty promises and I can’t completely trust him.

I know we’ll hear about all the great things he’s doing and how he’s not an “empty suit without experience…” blah, blah, blah. Whatever, I’ve heard it all.

I just hope whoever the nominee is you all will walk to the polls and vote. I’ll support Obama in November is he is the nominee and hope for the best. Actually I’m praying that we have a positive change in the leadership.

Re: 13. 19th & 21st

Guilt? That’s the funniest thing I’ve read all day.

/Hitting the pipe now ….

Re: 13. 19th & 21st

I think I agree with you about it being harder for a woman to gain the type of following and support that Obama has garnered.

But re: last paragraph. I don’t think it suggests anything of the kind. I would suggest instead that W gets that treatment on the drug issue because of the R’s “War on Drugs” hyperbole and the consequent refusal to consider lower sentences, sentencing alternatives, etc.

.

Re: 15. double tonic

Puff, puff, give.

Once a person is in power they have privilige. Af-Am, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, etc. Power comes with privilige and your assumption that because he’s Black he’s going to be a better president. Please. My experience with Latino/Hispanic leaders has not been pleasant, again this is a wide paintbursh, but I will not vote for him simply because he’s not white.

3. Lefty

True, strategy is strategy, but why not vote against it. Was it because he was afraid to be labeled as “pro-choice”. I’m an advocate for reproductive health and I want to see my reps have some cojones and stick their necks out there. In my opinion, he was being safe.

Excuse me? While she was in the senate your reproductive rights have never been under greater assault? Huh?

While Barrack was in the senate (at the same time) weren’t your rights still under assault? In fact, while Barrack was in the senate my civil rights, labor rights, my right to a healthy environment; my education rights, my right not to be spied on, hell, my right not to have my children killed in war have never been at greater risk-I guess that’s his fault.

Your analogy is stupid and pedestrian, and beyond my ability to hold my temper. Lay off, mija. You don’t have to pull rhetorical stunts if you want to vote for Barry. Go for it.

Re: 10. double tonic

There’s nothing wrong with a leader having charisma and people being excited about it. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jesus Christ–they all had charisma and people listened to them and followed them. Sorry, but Al Gore and John Kerry did not.

Re: 19. Chilicook

He is no JFK or MLK or JC. Don’t compare.

When did the president’s race become American Idol?

Re: 17. bracesandaces

Wait a second. Read the explanation he links to. Don’t just ignore the facts and say, In my opinion he was being safe.

It could always be worse:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0225081ortiz1.html

Re: 22. double tonic

Your recent request to cease and desist discussing politics suddenly seems entirely reasonable.

/seriously
//puff, puff, give

Re: 25. bracesandaces

How do you know? He’s not even the party’s nominee. Yet.

I gotta say…the best part about all of this, once again, is that Texas has a voice. Texas Democrats, to be specific. And it is really incredible to me that there are so many of us with such strong, thoughtful and varied opinions. No two posts on this blog the last couple of weeks have been the same. It’s refreshing to see that this isn’t about talking points or catch phrases. Both of these candidates have compelled a lot of people to offer substantive reasons for supporting them.

I just hope that this type of enthusiasm continues into 2010 for our statewide elections and beyond. I think Texas is on the edge of getting some sense again, and it will take voices like the ones on this blog to get it done.

that is all.

“During the time that Hillary Clinton has been in the senate, my reproductive rights have never felt more under siege, and I don’t think she has done enough to come to our (women’s) defense.”

I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to call bullshit on this one.

Where did this come from? I just came back from a media roundtable with Emily’s List, which endorsed Hillary about five minutes after she announced. Here is a highly respected group that is dedicated to helping elect pro-choice Democratic women. That’s what they do. Emily’s List supports reproductive rights, women’s issues, healthcare issues, etc.

Are you really going to say that Barack has better credentials in the arena of reproductive rights? Really?

From their endorsement: “Few public figures have done as much as Clinton to advance women’s rights. She helped set up the Violence Against Women section of the Department of Justice in the 1990s and has as a senator been a leading advocate for its continued existence. She is the leading Senate sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws and help women close the wage gap with men.

“As a pro-choice president, Clinton would work to undo the damage Bush has done to reproductive freedom through executive orders. Clinton successfully held up Bush’s nominee for FDA commissioner to force approval of over-the-counter sales of Plan B emergency contraception. She voted against both Bush Supreme Court nominees out of concern over their positions on Roe v. Wade.”

Re: 28. lush

Oh, I’m still talkin’ politics, my friend. Just not with some people. There are some people I just don’t want to ever feel the need to stab, I suppose. Consider yourself among those chosen few.

Re: 32. double tonic

Obviously.

Re: 30. Perry’s Mollycoddler

Well said!

I’m ready for next week to be over. This sh*t is stressing me out.

Re: 12. Merit Matters

We’re at liberty to have these “obsessions” with identity politics because we actually have a woman and a minority on the ballot who are very close on the issues. You let us know if KBH or Condi are ever allowed to get that far on your side of the aisle.

Re: 34. Tickled Pink

It would be nice if people didn’t call other’s opinons things like “stupid and pedestrian,” or disagree with such vitriol. This is how you treat people with whom you basically agree? Civil political discourse can actually be more persuasive, you know.

Or, to put it simply: Don’t make me come over there!

we have three African-Americans in statewide office, all R’s. How many did the Dem have during more than 100 years of control? And do you support them based on identity obsession, all three of whom are on the ballot this year?

Re: 31. Pink Lady; Re: PH; RE RE RE ..sock it ….

My favorite part is that “Michelle Obama will come to your defense” [to protect your reproductive rights] and [as the] “African-American First Lady would be a tremendous accomplishment for all women” ..all in the same sentence no less…that’s saying something.

Now, bad grammar/sentenc structure aside — WTF?…..because her husband gets elected and because she’s black..that’s an accomplishment for all women??

I feel so good that someone reads what I write.

My sincere hope is that we all remember that George W. Bush has united the Democratic party like never before and, after the nominating process is over, we all need to come together in November.

Shucks! I finally get to post on ITPT and I’m away from my computer all day. Although, it’s good to see all the comments at once. I’m glad this post spurned so much discussion, though largely due to my novice blogging skills. I’m bummed that my meandering distracted people from what i had hoped to be the focus of discussion, what about the African American Women? And every other overlooked group in this debate? And what underlying assumptions are being made about those groups? And what does that say about our (in)ability to engage in these discussions?

Re: 39. The Other Guy

Again, awesome point. You’re totally right, no matter who is selected, the D’s need to put all differences aside and support that candidate 100%.

Re: 38. Major

You try posting in your second language and then we can talk about sentence structure and grammar.

Re: 7. 19th & 21st

List of recently elected female presidents:

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia

President Michelle Bachelet, Chile

President Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland

President Pratibha Patil, India

Executive President Cristina E. Fernández Wilhelm de Kirchner, Argentina

you can find a comprehensive list at:

http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Presidents-Chronological.htm

Re: 4. Anonymous and 6. Lurkette

Phew, glad to see some positive responses

Re: 8. Major

i know you didn’t want an answer but…

I think it will be good for people of color to see someone that “looks like” them in a prominent position. Are you familiar with the 1954 doll test completed by Kenneth Clark? That test would still ring true, in any part of the world. Historically, our global leaders have been white, and ever other group has been represented in a denigrated light. Obama has enthused ordinarily disenfranchised groups to participation, and participation equals better representation.

Re: 30. Perry’s Mollycoddler

Refreshing. Thank you.

Re: 46. Pinko Heart

“Obama has enthused ordinarily disenfranchised groups to participation, and participation equals better representation.”

Even if the first part is true at the moment (and I’m not sure it is: is the homeless vote on the rise? how about the incarcerated? seriously, I don’t know the answer), talk to me in 8 years.

racist

Re: 42. Pinko Heart

Smarmy comment about grammar. I give you that.. but I still don’t get your logic about M.O. protecting reproductive rights and representing some great achievement for women…but you know what…im ok with that.

Has anybody seen/heard Hillary’s new Spanish language campaign theme song?

http://hillaryclinton.com/files/audio/Hillary08themmix.mp3

Re: 36. Don’t Mess w/ Pink

Someone just pointed out it looked like I was directing those comments to Tickled Pink. I absolutely was not. She’s a sweetheart and has never been anything but polite.

I was agreeing with her that this has been stressful. So, to those of you who you seem to have taken a cue from Rove, please stop it. You agree on the issues, for the most part. Be nice to your fellow gd liberals. Dammit.

Aw, thanks DMWP.

When this is all over, I think we should all have a big party.

PL, you’re cool with hosting it at your house, right?

folks.. Obama brings a MAJOR thing to the table that HRC could never… a minority perspective !!!