Publisher's Message - Thoughts on 'The Hill'
by Suzanne Gillis
A few years ago, I told a reporter that I hoped I lived long enough to see a woman elected President.
Well, the time has come and Hillary Rodham Clinton could make that dream come true in 2008. But wait - vigorous resistance to her campaign is rampant, and seems to be coming largely from women.
Here in Vermont many Democrats who have for years provided the early primary funding are lining up behind Barack Obama, including many of my woman friends. I decided to find out why, so I asked a number of them five questions:
Can you give me five reasons why you are planning to vote for Obama for president?
At first they all wanted to tell me why they would not vote for Hillary. I stopped them and repeated the above question. You guessed it. They were stumped. Each woman, without exception finally came up with only one answer: "Obama is a fresh face and he inspires me." Even though they all visibly struggled to come up with reasons two, three and four, none did.
Do you know how long Obama has served in the U.S. Senate and what committees he has served on?
None knew.
Can you think of any difficult conflicts he has negotiated as senator or new initiatives he has sponsored?
None could.
Regarding his voiced opposition to the Iraq War, how do you think he would have voted in 2002 had he been a senator (which he was not), with Presidential ambitions?
None ventured a guess.
What is your confidence level in his background and experience that makes you confident he would be a President during such volatile and turbulent times?
No comment.
I did hear Obama's speech to the 2004 Democratic Convention and I did see and hear him speak last fall at the University of Vermont. I agree he can deliver a rousing speech. I surely share my friends' alarming concern for our country and am horrified and angry with the corruption, lies, and recklessness of the Bush administration. However, I am equally horrified that the American voters elected Bush twice. There was plenty of evidence the country was headed deeper into the Iraq quagmire, unimaginable debt, environmental degradation, global disrespect and in many cases increasing hatred. Yet Bush won another four years. Why?
Some said they voted for Bush because they perceived Kerry as a flip-flopper, or too rich, or too this or that. I also recall some saying that they like Bush's "straight talking" cowboy style. He was a man's man; one of us, they said. Really?
And what of Hillary?
Once my friends finished venting about Hillary's being more reserved, more calculating, and what's to be done with Bill, the discussion took on more substance. For example, they acknowledged that she is hard-working, has a proven track record and is highly respected in Congress and around the world; that her marriage held together through the duration of her husband's term. That her eight years in the White House and eight years as a senator serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee provide her with seamless presidential credentials. If elected, she comes on board as President from day one; no training period necessary.
It's still several months until the first primary; you can be sure a lot will happen in the meantime. Two controversial biographies on Hillary intended to provide new revelations are being released on June 5th: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Carl Bernstein and Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, Jr.
I urge everyone to take a deep breath, do your research, and think very carefully about who you intend to support. Be sure your reasons for your choice are sound, rational, and based on the best criteria available. Beware of falling into the gender, race, good looks and/or easy answers with no substance traps.
This election will be the most critical one of our life time and it deserves our very serious consideration.
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