My synthetical, a bit detached and ironic, view from afar on the US Primaries.
So yesterday, the US had a Super Duper Tsunami Tuesday (you couldn't possibly make this up!) with primary elections in various states.
I've been paying moderate attention to this election. I'm obviously interested but I already was four years ago - look how nicely that went! pfff!
On the Republican side things seem to be decided in favour of McCain (isn't this a brand of fried potatoes?). Having nothing against his historical character or his conservative views, there's something about his body language that creeps me out. And when he opens his mouth (at least the bits that I've heard) he sounds worse than Bush. So I'm a little concerned about him.
On the Democrat side, things are as tight as ever and everyone's questioning which of these hypothesis is more groundbreaking: a woman in the White House? Or a black man in the White House?
First things first: the important thing is that one of them is elected President. The rest will come later.
As I was saying to Kimananda, I don't know enough about their politics to have a favourite between Clinton and Obama. People say they share very similar ideas. Clinton is probably more experienced as a politician, Obama more charismatic. It is very interesting to analyse whether people are more prejudiced about women or black people. From my point of view (for what's it's worth!), having a woman as President makes a bigger change. Obviously, black people have been segregated and abused for centuries, there's no denying that. But women have been disregarded and seen as the weaker sex FOREVER!
I'm not saying a bigger change would be better or that Clinton would be a better President, but I wonder if women are really different as politicians or if they simply become men when elected...
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13 comments:
If Thatcher is any example, then women become men when they become elected. But that may be because there was no other way to get elected at that time. Now, maybe it's possible to be a woman and a politician both.
I haven't decided totally between Clinton and Obama (though I have a definite tendency towards one of them), but as you say, either one would be better than a Republican.
Kim: Thatcher was a woman? ;))
Unfortunately we've had only a few examples of women in power.
Either Obama or Hillary would be very welcome in my view. republicans creep me out.
I'm intrigued about Obama, because Oprah is supporting him, just because of that.. he seems to have a somewhat empty speech, the few times I heard him. I'm creeped out by people who are overly charismatic too.. I spent to many years in an evangelical church and got to recognize all the mass manipulation techinques, and he uses some of them. He doesn't seem to earth bound either. I find it hard to totally trust him.Also he has 2 young kids at home....
On the other hand, I totally trust Hillary. She has a grown child, so she's totally available now to work, she has lots of experience, she's very bright..etc I think she's perfect, I hope she wins. And I don't think she will become a man. She could, but she's smarter then that.
have you seen her chart? she's a super scorpio with some pisces...
Am not big on US politics either. But I guess with Obama and Clinton, the battle is soo edgy and close. For someone that has such impressive political lineage, Clinton is riding pretty close to Obama. I'd have thought that there'd be a world of difference in the results considering her family's been into politics forever!
But I guess, it'd sure will be different to see how a woman handles the men's(?) side of things :)
You're right; McCain is of the big food-brand family. No surprise there, you have to be a zillionaire to run for President.
I voted! (and also registered for my absentee ballot)
Violet: It'll be hard to separate the candidates from their marketing strategies and popular manipulations, including Oprah and Clinton crying (everyone said she was faking it). Oprah is the best marketing director anyone can have but the fact that she supports Obama means nothing, I don't think she's the brightest person on earth.
I've wanted Hillary to run forever, so I'm more inclined to support her anyway. I need to see that chart ;)
Miss Iyer: It's tight, tight, tight! Whichever the outcome, I think it will be interesting to see.
Chrispito: Is he really? I was only joking. lol I had no idea.
Stephanie: You rock :)
I have one thing to say:Margaret Thatcher...(now I wish I hadn't said it)
I think in essence, Hilary would be good..I applaude your observation Devil, that women have been degraded for ever.To have a President who see's her nation through the eyes of not only a Woman, but also a Mother should surely be a good thing.
Hey, I live here and the only thing I'm sure of is I WILL NOT vote for a republican. As to McCain, I heard a political news commentator say McCain would make Cheney look like Gandhi. Not good, no?! I don't like his body language either . . .
A friend of mine sent me this link. It’s the greatest thing if you’re undecided about candidates. When you go to http://www.electoralcompass.com/v/wsj you answer questions regarding your views on the issues at hand like gun control, the environment, the economy, education, and health care, and the like. It’s fast, friendly, and at the end it shows you which candidate you are most closely aligned with. And if you then click the “analyze your position” link it shows you where you stand, both in relation to progressive or traditional social liberalism and the economic right or left, and in relation to all the candidates.
Niall: Thanks for supporting my feminism. :) Kimananda mentioned Thatcher on the 1st comment and I replied: "Thatcher was a woman? ;))" And YES, a Mother!!
Neith: Oh that's scary!! I'm happy about your intention, for what it's worth.
MissAlister: Thanks for the link and explanation! It's funny because Neith had mentioned the same site today and I was just about to check it out.
My answers are closer to Hillary, except on National Security and Terrorrism, which coincidentally are the ones that interest me more, considering I don't live in the US. So I'm still divided!! lol
thatcher uh, was a man. in fact there's a book written about her/his secret collection of whips.
jokes aside, devil, i am sceptical about politics in general. i dont want to sound like a student during the 60s, but i fail to see how a politician in today's world can really lead with his own instincts. the lobbies that help him get there have their own agendas. and are just too powerful for anyone to stand up and take a call.
as far as being a woman is ocncerned, our country has had women leaders in the past. and the damning part is that their actions are characteristic of politicians.
genderless, power hungry and manipulative. it is us, who with our sentimental and intellectual leanings attach qualities to them.
i can go on. i am a bitter, non-believer really.
Phish: That's an interesting view: politicians as mirrors of our own expectations and demons. It's very likely that it's what happens.
I have no illusions about politicians neither, especially the ones I can vote for. But I still vote for the one I think is more capable.
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