Ok, so now that I've calmed down a little, smoke is no longer blocking my view of the screen. Time away from CNN has helped too. I certainly do not want to exclude the Menfolk and their insight here, but I can't help but direct this post at the women out there.
Ladies, can we talk about Hillary?
Republican, Democrat, or Other, this has been a watershed year in American politics. For the first time in our short history as a country, two minority groups are represented and actually have a snowball's chance of becoming president. Yes, I include women as a minority despite the near 50-50 population numbers. Don't agree? Stop in on C-Span for a bit, then Google women's rights, then... well, you get the picture.
About a year ago, I was undecided. I will admit, as most women inclined to vote for a Democrat will, I wanted to like Hillary. I wanted it bad. I wanted to believe it was possible for us to cast off all of the horrible things that had happened over the last few years and start over with a fresh perspective. I wanted to believe that the US was ready to join the 21st century and embrace a woman of power and strength.
Then the "campaigning" began.
I am disappointed. Just so head hanging, deep sighing, shoulders droopingly disappointed. All platforms and promises aside, I feel like she has BLOWN IT. Not just for herself, but for the next woman who has the guts to try. The 3am ads. Michigan. Florida. Super-freaking-delegates! One day she's talking about change, and the next day she's mocking Obama's "hope" speeches with a pissy attitude usually reserved for high school.
Ladies, what the hell happened here?
I worry that every woman who runs for the highest office in the land will be automatically compared to this candidate. Compared to the things that have gone horribly awry rather than lauded for aspiring to greatness. Is it fair that she is held to a standard that a white male candidate would not be held to? No. Certainly not, but there they are. Sometimes when you're starting from a disadvantage, you have to be better than the other guy's best from the word go. After the campaigns are finally over, is this to be the legacy of women in politics? Dismissals of election rules and fear mongering? Rather than remember that she was a strong woman who made great strides will we think of her as the woman who didn't know when to stop?
Now she is presented with yet another opportunity to leave the race. Please, do not mistake me here. I fully support every person's right to run. Run as long as it is possible for you to win, but when it becomes almost mathematically impossible, SIT DOWN. When you are doing back room campaigning and lending your own campaign beau coup bucks just to stay afloat, SIT DOWN. When Rush Limbaugh is rooting for you, for the love of all that is holy, SIT DOWN!
I am a avid supporter of fighting the good fight, but while we've all been looking over here, McCain has been left unaccountable. You think Reverend Wright offends you? Go take a look at McCain supporter and contributor John Hagee. Campaign contributors making you uneasy? Let's ask McCain about his campaign financing issues.
I make no secret of the fact that I am a staunch Obama supporter, but as a woman, I am truly disheartened by the campaign Hillary has run. Please, Senator, for our sakes and the sake of your own daughter, sit down. Now, before it is too late. Live to fight another day.