Women Are Never Front Runners (But They Can Be Whipping Boys)

Gloria Steinem rants about Hillary and sexism; Ann Althouse does a good job noting the absurd, self-refuting nature of the presentation but let me belabor this from Ms. Steinem:

"I’m supporting Senator Clinton because... she has...  an unprecedented eight years of on-the-job training in the White House"

Which is it?  Either women (with Hillary as their proxy) had eight years of access to power and there is much less of a women's crisis of empowerment than we might imagine, or those eight years don't count, in which case, why mention them?

And what is Ms. Steinem's longer term goal here?  Does she hope to inspire a generation of young women to take their education seriously and pursue careers?  Too late - high school girls already get better grades than boys, women outnumber men in college, and (Hey there pretty New York City girl), economic parity is on the way.

Who thinks similar evidence can be found for the black community, especially the young black men Obama might inspire?

Let me toss in a related rant here - Obama's election will be the worst thing ever to happen to the race-grievance politicos like Al Sharpton (Go, Obama!), but it may also be a bad thing for the black community.  Why?  Because it will allow a premature declaration of "Mission Accomplished" on the question of racial reconciliation in America.

Consider the current environment as seen from the left.  We have an illegal immigration situation where young Hispanics cross a thousand miles of wilderness and desert to look for work in a racist, nativist, xenophobic society where they don't even speak the dominant language.  Yet not only do these immigrants find work, but they don't want to leave.

But a young black fellow on the stoop in Detroit can't find a job because The Man and The System are keeping him down.  Please - how long can that pretense be maintained?  We locked up the Japanese in internment camps a mere sixty years ago, yet the Japanese in America today are wildly successful.  When did America have some moment of national reconciliation with the Japanese - was it nuking Hiroshima, maybe?

If Obama is elected it will be even easier for white America to consider the problem of racism in America to be solved.  And keep in mind that blacks have been eclipsed by Hispanics as the largest minority in America, which will provide yet another impetus to Move On from the problems facing black America.

Obama's ascent may provide some real resolution to the perception and reality of racism in America.  Or it may change only the perception.  If I were some sort of strategist for "the black community" (which is surely not monolithic but almost certainly not so diverse as to enlist me as their spokesguy) I would have deeply mixed feelings about Obama.

However!  I would not have those feelings today.  Go Obama!  Go Away, Hillary!

Comments

[Pofarmer]

Whatever problems there is with Racism right now in the U.S., Whites aren't gonna fix it.

[Other Tom]

Suppose Obama is nominated but is beaten in the general election?

[Patrick Tyson]

I commented before the caucuses that I had no confidence in the political instincts of anyone I was reading when it came to Iowa. My impression regarding New Hampshire is different. Mark Steyn knows New Hampshire.

Hart's Location always strikes me as a more interesting early voting precinct than the over-ballyhooed Dixville Notch. And this year it has good news for Derb:

Republican primary

Romney - 1
Paul - 4
Huckabee - 5
McCain - 6

Democrat primary

Edwards - 1
Clinton - 3
Obama - 9

Hart's has eight registered Republicans, eight Democrats, and 13 independents. So it looks like independents went eight-to-five for the GOP primary. Cranky mountain curmudgeons for McCain? Evangelicals hot for Huck? Truthers boosting Ron? We could be in for a surprising night. (Or not.)

[clarice]

I see your point,OT. Perhaps it would be better for Hill and Bambi to have an across the country round the clock wrestling match, in which she inches ahead (maybe even by dint of her super delegates), and exhausted and broke makes it to the general with the largest part of her most important and necessary constituency left behind.

[Other Tom]

Clarice, you've just laid out my dream scenario.

Drudge now has a delightful link to a video of Bubba in a rage about the "fairy tale" of Obama. In the course of it he says the "Ken Starr spent 70 million dollars and indicted innocent people only to find out that I wouldn't take a nickel to see the cow jump over the moon."

This is the kind of thing we will soon be rid of, thank God. Indicted innocent people? I thought he got eitheen felony convictions, including a former Arkansas governor. And if Johnny Chung didn't enable that scumbag to see the cow etc., just what did he do with the money?

[Rick Ballard]

Clarice,

A drawn out battle with a Red Witch "win" would be perfect. It would put PA, MI, WI and perhaps and MN in play while moving FL and OH to the "safe" R column.

Not to mention using up a ton of money.

Go Clibama!

[MayBee]

What worries me is that male Iowa voters were seen as gender-free when supporting their own, while female voters were seen as biased if they did and disloyal if they didn’t.

I agree with that. Or I should say, white male sort-of-Christian voters are the only non-special interest voting group, aren't they? But who's fault is that? We either have to pretend we don't notice race/gender/religion at all, thus making this whole op-ed moot, or we admit that it has served people like Gloria quite well to create a "women's" identity.

What worries me is that some women, perhaps especially younger ones, hope to deny or escape the sexual caste system;

Oh, and again this sexual caste system. What creates more of a sexual caste system then young women that have affairs with men being moved around like pawns, and destroyed by the man's powerful machines, while the men are hearlded as heros?
A sexual caste system would have a powerful wife reprimanding the powerful husband, not holding his hand while implying his lover is insane.

This country can no longer afford to choose our leaders from a talent pool limited by sex, race, money, powerful fathers and paper degrees. It’s time to take equal pride in breaking all the barriers. We have to be able to say: “I’m supporting her because she’ll be a great president and because she’s a woman.”

We also have to be able to say, "I'm not supporting her because I think she'll not be a great president". We have to be able to say it isn't sexist, just because she is a woman, to dislike her and not support her .

[MayBee]

A sexual caste system

***Freedom from a sexual caste system****

Hillary has been more than happy to destroy other women for her husband. She is no hero to women.

[clarice]

Then the Reps run as their vp candidate the wonderful former Lt Gov of Md Steele who said he was proud and happy for Obama but, of course, couldn't vote for him because of his policies.

[Laura Nelson]

I am African American.

I am female.

In my opinion, the most divisive thing that could have happened to the Democratic Party at this time in world history when it is more important than ever for the Democrats to regain the presidency, has begun to unfold.

Satan itself could not have planned this better.

Hillary will not win.

Obama will not win.

We'll all lose just as we have been for the last 8 years...300...

God Bless AMERIkkka?!

[hrtshpdbox]

"Suppose Obama is nominated but is beaten in the general election?"
Some form of mass hypnosis has apparently ruled out consideration of such a possibility.

[sbw]

Whatever problems there is with Racism right now in the U.S., Whites aren't gonna fix it.

Loved the epithet on an earlier thread - "race pimp" - to describe the Sharpton ambulance chaser types. Steinem is no different than a race pimp. The epithets race pimps hurl obstruct clear thought. They exhibit the worst kind of self-agrandizement. The more a problem is perceived as the other guy's fault, the less likely one will adjust as necessary to succeed.

Excellence has a future. Is that so difficult a concept?

[clarice]

Don't blame Satan for the work of a benevolent, all seeing deity,Laura.

[Topsecretk9]

What creates more of a sexual caste system then young women that have affairs with men being moved around like pawns, and destroyed by the man's powerful machines, while the men are hearlded as heros?

Gawd, no kidding.

[PeterUK]

What do the Native Americans think of the prospect of having a black president?

[sbw]

Wake up, editors!

When celebrities say something IT IS NOT NECESSARILY NEWS!

[Topsecretk9]

Steinem writes:

in this race-conscious country

I'm merits conscious myself.

I guess that's the difference between me and the liberals who think being black is a bad thing.

[GMax]

I am glad to see Laura Nelson has not lost the old song sheet. Even when lily white Iowa gave a resounding victory to a person of color, its still AmeriKKKa! God bless you Laura.

Lets hope your are correct in your predictions, so that you can resume your own little slice or virtual reality without the cognitive dissonance of things happening well beyond your limited playbook. And the rest of us will breath a sigh of relief as we are still cleaning up after the mess Jimmy Carter left us...

[clarice]

Fred's looking for volunteers in S Car. If you or anyone you know is interested, here's the contact info:
call thompsonstroops@fred08.com / 803.251.3526

[sbw]

Clarice, I know its a straight-forward request for volunteers... so why is it that the first thought that came to mind was:

We're men, we're men in tights.
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We're men, we're men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right!
We may look like sissies, but watch what you say or else we'll put out your lights!
We're men, we're men in tights,
Always on guard defending the people's rights.

[clarice]

I'd rather not go there,sbw...

[SWarren]

Clarice, I love it!
"Don't blame Satan for the work of a benevolent, all seeing deity,Laura."
Most clever thwack of the day!

[MayBee]

H[im]self the [son] of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, []he is considered black

If we're going to be like that, I'll go for gender equality and point out that he is also the son of a woman and a man, yet he is considered a man.

[clarice]

Thanks.SW.On edit. I'd say "Don't CREDIT Saran..."

[clarice]

that is "Don't CREDIT saTan"***

[Jane]

Enter Carville and Begala, to the rescue.

Gee if we are lucky Hill will succeed in forced retirement for the entire universe that is Clinton. Lanny Davis was practically shrieking at 5:00 this morning.

It's just a lovely sight to see.

[clarice]

Back to the Future.

[PeterUK]

"

"Thanks.SW.On edit. I'd say "Don't CREDIT Saran..."

Posted by: clarice | January 08, 2008 at 01:57 PM

that is "Don't CREDIT saTan"***"

Can't work out if you were going to say Sarandon or you were referring to that stuff that makes them look orange on TV.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

A woman candidate without front runner status is fishy...like a bicycle with one of those bar things on the top...or...it'll come to me in a minute.

[glasater]

"What do the Native Americans think of the prospect of having a black president?

Posted by: PeterUK"

I worked for a Native American company for a year and think that their basic philosophy is pretty socialistic. Obama/Clinton would do well in that commmunity.

[clarice]

You know PUK, try to make the good perfect and whadda ya get?Stepped all over my best line of the day.

[PeterUK]

Sorry Clarice,that's showbusiness,you'll top that,you're a trouper.

[JM Hanes]

"What worries me is that some women, perhaps especially younger ones, hope to deny or escape the sexual caste system; thus Iowa women over 50 and 60, who disproportionately supported Senator Clinton, proved once again that women are the one group that grows more radical with age."

Radical? How about stuck in the hypocritical morass of 70's feminism, and a separate but equal sexual caste system of their own invention? I'm pleased to report that my daughter doesn't care if Hillary Clinton is a woman, and neither do I. We have to be able to say: “I’m supporting her because she’ll be a great president." Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent.

As a woman, however, I'm happy to do the honors here: Gloria, sit down and shut the f*ck up. You're not helping.

[clarice]

I can't imagine how Steinem will adjust to the fact tht like Hill she is a fossil stuck in some ancient sexist amber.

[Sue]

I wonder how many of them supported Hillary because of Hillary and how many were supporting Hillary because of Bill? My guess is there were more there for Bill.

[Topsecretk9]

Enter Carville and Begala, to the rescue.

I'm kinda ambivalent on this...the nutroots would explode if it turns Hillary, who they don't really like, around. And it most definitely will mean even more of a centrist position.

[Topsecretk9]

Remember when Steinem joined the "sexual caste system" just a few years back and got married?

[Jane]

No matter where Hillary turns there is going to be backlash. Bill brings in the big boys and the Hillgirls will flip. The public will say she is incompetant and had to be rescued. She plays the race card and the black community flips out. She doesn't play the race card and the black community stands to lose its whipping boy status. There is more to lose with Hillary right now than with Obama.

The democrats are eating their own. And I thought Christmas was last week!

[JM Hanes]

If she were going to adjust to the ancient sexist amber (love it!), Clarice, she'd have done it more than a decade ago.

TSK9: I'm expecting to hear she's had plastic surgery any day now.

[Topsecretk9]

1970's Burn your bra! = 2000's Girls Gone Wild!

Gloria, you ignorant slut!

[Larryl]

You know PUK, try to make the good perfect and whadda ya get?Stepped all over my best line of the day.Posted by: clarice | January 08, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Sorry Clarice,that's showbusiness,you'll top that,you're a trouper. Posted by: PeterUK | January 08, 2008 at 02:55 PM
she is a fossil stuck in some ancient sexist amber.Posted by: clarice | January 08, 2008 at 03:08 PM

Peter's mama didn't raise no dummies.

[PeterUK]

Nice one Clarice.
Who said Vaudeville was dead?

[clarice]

Not I,PUK.

[PeterUK]

Slightly Off Topic,but the Sisterhood doesn't seem be able to muster the same vitriol for the wife stoners they poured onto the poor unsuspecting drippy WASPS.

[clarice]

It's like what steveaz said about who the Dems are willing to fight, isn't it? The illusory versus the real and armed.

[PeterUK]

Yes,the UK is full of toytown revolutionaries who wouldn't be seen dead or alive in a dangerous country.I suppose you have the same, demonise Bushitler so they can look brave.
Steinem must be sent to the Sudan immediately.

[clarice]

The modern feminist movement has always been something of a farce.It built on dissatisfaction (and helped manufacture it) for political purposes--that is, to aid the democratic party. It has never been about much more than creating another identity political group to corral into the bloc.

[clarice]

Fox--Based on his exit polls, ROMNEY is declaring himself the winner of the Rep primary in NH.

[PeterUK]

BTW,You wouldn't believe how much the view from this side of the pond is skewed,many think it is a competition between Hillary and Obama for president

[JM Hanes]

Clarice:

I slept in today in order to avoid poll watching -- in the hope that like a pot coming to boil, the oh-so-wise electorate of NH might deal McCain the blow I think he's been asking for. I'm more ambivalent about that bit of schadenfreude than I am when it comes to the Clintons, but in terms of hubris, I've been feeling like Bill Clinton and John McCain have more in common than the moral distance between them might suggest.

I do hope we're not counting chickens here, but I think Romney deserves this win. Folks can call him a flip flopper all they like, but a guy who hasn't tried to run away from Bush and who will publicly step up to bat for Big Pharma is no political wuss. It's not like McCain hasn't been running away from his own record on immigration just as fast as he possibly can. Everyone seems to have forgotten that those extra troops he congratulates himself for recommending were Powell doctrine boots, not Petraeus COIN operatives. I'll give him serious, grateful, props for his unflagging defense of the war. I only wish he'd spent a whole lot more of his time fighting for it on the Senate floor instead absenting himself for a vanity run at the Oval office. Folks make a lot of Romney's neighborhood status, but NH was always McCain's home ground to lose.