MADAM, PRESIDENT
When the subject of our having a woman president some day comes up, I sense a feeling if uneasiness among men in the conversational group.. Some of us are not ready to deal with that subject, but a woman president is not as remote an idea as some seem to think it remains.
The possibility has support among many people and it has gained in the past few years. This has come about, I think, because more and more women have proved to be capable and have done well in governmental offices at various levels. These successes have help form a sense of confidence in the mind of many who have favored the plan for years.
We have already experienced women running for the office of Vice-President an in accepting that possibility voters have, in a backhanded way, conceded that a woman can, will and should run for the top office as well. The Vice President is a “stand-by” President who can step in an take over the Oval Office if he President becomes incapacitated in is unable to do the job.
Rather, it would seem to me, than with the general electorate, the problems to center more on the male-oriented nature of the political party mechanisms which, in a final analysis seem to be oriented toward a male perspective fundamentally accountable to established political mores not given to change.
Geraldine Farrar is among those who worked to achieve the office of Vice-President years ago and others have ventured on stage. The have been pioneers. They have broken paths through the political wildernesses often encouraged but not really assisted in their quest for the prime office.
The entire concept of running woman for the top office has been increased, I think, in recent years by the presence of Hillary Clinton. Many people see her as the Democratic nominee. Some think an immediate attempt in the next election would be too early. But few planners discount the possibility of a run four years hence. One hears other names suggested from various areas: Jan Fonda, Barbara Strisand, Elizabeth Dole, Condoleezza Rice, or one of the women governors in those states who now have women at the helm.
It will happen, I 'm sure - in time, and perhaps sooner than most men seem to concede.
Another critical factor is the problem we have with fewer people actually voting. A very small percentage of qualified voters show up at the booths on Election Day. A woman would stand a far better chance of election if that voter base expanded among those already qualified to vote. Prior to election, however, a candidate has to be nominated and that remains as the main stumbling block keeping us from saying “Madam, President”.
A.L.M. February 2003 [c465wds]
