I really wanted Hillary Clinton to be President. Now I read in a Newsweek article that she had doubts about running. She was probably happy when she lost the primary, so that she could just stay in the Senate, and in the house she had decorated so carefully and truly loves. She is very well respected in the Senate, and becoming very powerful. She knows how to pick her battles, and knows how to get around the monkeyshines that the other politicians pull. Her strength has been evident for many years, but never as much as it is now. She was strong even in defeat, throwing her heart and soul into getting Barack Obama elected to the Presidency. You have to wonder if he would have achieved the landslide vote he did if it hadn’t been for Bill and Hillary hitting the road for him, going into the areas where he was weak, and convincing people that he was the right choice. Certainly, he wouldn’t have carried Florida without her help.
Sarah Palin probably feels much the same way about losing the election. She probably has had enough of national politics for awhile, and just wants to go back to Alaska and shoot moose. Or is it meese? She loves her state, and no doubt, loves her country. It takes a special kind of person to live in Alaska, with its harsh climate, and 6 months of darkness. Right now, after being in the spotlight for awhile, the darknes may be very appealing to her.
What is increasingly sad about this country is the way we treat strong women. The abominable treatment of both of these women by the male dominated press just goes to show that deep inside, men are still little boys who are threatened by a girl who is better at anything than they are.
I’m not saying that these two women compare to each other politically. There is no way Sarah Palin even holds a candle to Hillary Clinton, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t some day. Remember, at Sarah Palin’s age, Hillary was new to the White House and to national politics. She had never held an office, and in fact, didn’t hold one for years afterward. Sarah Palin has that much on Hillary. She has already been a mayor and a governor.
But the thing these two women do have in common is that they don’t kowtow to anyone. They say what they mean and mean what they say, and accept the consequences of their actions. They take no prisoners and make no excuses. Hillary is perhaps a little more cautious in her dealings, and I can’t really see her getting into a possible ethics violation situation like Sarah has. But basically, they have the same sort of outlook and determination.
I think that outside of the political arena, they might even be friends. Hillary is much more educated, and much more sophisticated than Sarah, of course, but that doesn’t mean that they would have nothing to talk about. They are both really down to earth, and I’m thinking that they could learn a thing or two from each other.
The truth is, though, that this country would rather have a man of any race, creed, or religion at the helm than a woman. As history goes, we are still a very young country, but it would be nice if we could grow just past that one ridiculous prejudice.
