I’m not sure that I can convey through words the difficulty that sometimes goes along with being a black female Democrat at this historic time in the United States when the Democratic choices for president are now a black and a female. Anyone who thought this contest would not end up being about race and gender is neither black nor female – which I guess accounts for the way the media (including the blogs) has played it out. Regardless of who our nominee will be, Democrats should be proud of the fact that we are not just paying lip service to diversity, we are actually doing it.
Instead of celebrating this, though, Democrats are employing Karl Rovian-style tactics against other Democrats. People who were barely alive in the 1990s all of a sudden are experts on the decade and those who are old enough to remember it are experiencing selective memories. I can hardly discuss presidential politics anymore – with anyone – because I’m sick and tired of being told I should support Barack Obama because we’re both black or that I only support Hillary Clinton because she’s female. What a tremendous disservice that does to reduce these two to the lowest common denominator! What happened to supporting someone because you think s/he is the most qualified? We decry negative campaigning and yet most of what I read or hear is nothing but.
You know what? I really don’t care who you think started it, but it really needs to stop.
I remain firm in my belief that Hillary Clinton is the best qualified candidate at this time to be president. Period. End of sentence.
Notice how I didn’t have to slam anybody else to say that?
Technorati Tags: Hillary Clinton
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Sen. Clinton would almost certainly be a better President than would Sen. Obama, but Obama strikes me as being notably more electable in November.
I was glad to see the tone both Clinton and Obama took during the last debate was civil, even friendly. I wish some surrogates and supporters could adopt a similar attitude of friendly detente.
Obama remains my choice after the last debate. I think this primary season has done him a world of good by forcing him to study up on the issues so he could survive in the same arena with the likes of an incredibly intelligent and shrewd lady like Hillary Clinton. Last night he put in a very solid performance with a firm grasp on the nature of the challenges America faces today. Both candidates, indeed, rose to the challenges of a primary election, and whichever candidate wins the nomination will be a stronger adversary against the Republican nominee as a consequence.
Kudos, Vivian. We Republicans have been saying for years that race or gender shouldn’t be why you support or oppose someone. Issues have always been the most important factor for you, and if more people made their choices that way, everyone would be a lot better off.
I can only guess at how you feel, but in some ways it must be a nice problem to have. Maybe some day we could do this again.
Hear hear, Vivian.
I I were a registered Democrat, I would boycott the Primaries. If they want my vote, they should come with better candidates. And I feel bad that they seeing your skincolor, not your soul, Vivian.
As a white middle-aged female I’m presumably in the Hillary demographic; however, I found that Edwards fit my leanings the best, and when his candidacy started to go south I found Obama more compatible. But not spectacularly so. There is a lot about Hillary I like and I was also very dismayed at the tone of the debate last week. Last night’s debate was wonderful for me. I got to see both candidates’ strengths on display and listen to articulate, positive, substantive statements about our country, the direction in which it is going, and what might be best for it in future. Both spoke at length about real solutions to real problems. Both are really good candidates. Compared to the Republican debates with the constant rehash of old and tired political concepts it is like seeing night and day. There is no substance on the Republican side of the aisle, just a lot of nonsense about who’s going to go hardest on the illegal aliens, who’s the most patriotic, who’s the toughest on the terrorists, and who’s going to cut the most taxes. They might as well be back in the nineties.
Brian,
I have noticed that your party has not diversified. No offense but the Republicans for as long as I live will probably play the race card and the female card. Mark my word issues will not be at the forefront in the general if the the Reublicans have a choice. they will definitely use swift boat attacks against race or women to ignore the issues. no offense Brian that is just their makeup.
vivian it is your choice as for me it looks like a vote at the machine. Have no idea as of yet. Still have a week and a half. cheers
Oh, GEM, send plenty of offense Kirwin’s way. He and his party have earned it.
“Hillary Clinton is the best qualified candidate at this time to be president.”
In the Senate for seven years, and already she’s more qualified than McCain? Please.
McCain’s only lack is in political executive experience, although he does have some military executive experience.
Romney and The Huckster have both been governors. Hillary has been a wife. There is no other job in the world for which that can be considered a qualification.
GEM,
Colin Powell – 1st African American Secretary of State
Condi Rice – 1st Female African American Secretary of State
Rod Paige – 1st African American Secreatary of Education
Clarence Thomas – 2nd African American Supreme Court Justice
All appointed by the mean biggotted race hating republicans. That’s not diverisfied enough for you. Oh that’s right, they are not really considered black by the Dems.
Please!
Don’t tell Clarence Thomas he represents diversity, or he’ll kick your ass.
See what you started, GEM? There’s a time and a place for partisanship. Hint: this wasn’t it.
AEM – I’m beginning to think that you need your own blog. That was about the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen posted in a while. The post was about Democrats. Or did you miss that part?
Then you should have said, perhaps, that Clinton is the BETTER candidate. BEST is for more than two.
Of course, you COULD chose to vote for the BEST candidate, instead.