MAYBE, PERHAPS AND IF
Is it time for a woman to be elected as President of the United States?
In our present era of re-definitions concerning who may do what in religious and temporal offices, the subject keeps coming up, I find. And I also notice, more people seem to be asking “when”, rather than “why” or “why not?”
This has been brought about by the fact that we have recently had more women who are showing distinct and deliberate interest in becoming “that” person.
If I were betting on it, I would say “no” - we will not see a woman in the oval office for some time. We are not quite ready, I'd say in a “grass roots sense “ whatever that term may mean to you and you. It will be achieved, in time, because there is, to me, no sound no reason why the office should be keep for males only. Many nations have had their Queens, Empresses, Presidents, Premiers, Prime Ministers and have done well in such times.
We can see a gradual progression toward such a climate. The word is now “when” and no longer “if”.
It is made more urgent with some recent addition to the potential troop of men who are seeking to be the nominee of the Democratic Party.
I still expect Hillary Clinton to seek the nomination of next years election. To me, it is a “now or never” situation. The impetus of her attainments to this time will not endure for four additional years. Much depends, for instance, on how the assistance being offered by the Clinton team to the beleaguered California “Recall Election” procedures works out. Notice, too, how many legislative bills Hillary Clinton has co-sponsored as a Senator. These are “back scratching” arrangements with each of them, and they number far in excess of the usual few and in a wide gamut, as well.
One might think the confusion caused by the complex movements the herd of Democratic hopefuls, could work to Clinton's advantage. It can. If Democrats come to see a Dean ticket as being too weak, she can rush in to “save the party” from possible extinction. Now, with an urgent tendency toward variety, the party could become even more fragmented and lose its overall identity with voters. “One size fits all” may work with some clothing items but not with political parties.
When a Democrat has to be as as a special breed of Democrat - "Kennedy“ “Old,” “Clinton”, “LBJ”, “North”, “South”, “East”,”West” or “Civil Rights” Democrat ... something vital has been lost. I have a feeling the so-called “Black Vote” has changed more than we realize, especially in non-metro areas.
The “If” elements seem to be in control; the “Perhaps” opinions are beginning to make sense and the “Maybe” factors more eager to become real. We shall see... and soon.
A.L.M. August 9, 2003 [c496wds]
