A Female President?

[Shadow Blade]

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In my family as well in most of my classes, I'm usually outnumbered by the opposite sex. Yes, and that is females. At any rate, several girls come up to me and ask for my opinion on whether there should be, or if I think a women is capable of taking up Presidency. Being the quiet bum that I am, I shrug my shoulders and mumble something out that sounds like, "I don't know". Of course I say that just so they will get bored, walk away, and leave me alone. When they finally did leave after asking me personal questions like,"Do you have a girlfriend?", do I start to breathe better and think about this question of a female president. I believe that a woman with a good head on her shoulders, who can think nationally that also includes thinking for the people, and has good leadership ability is capable of taking up presidency. So the question is do you think that a woman is capable of taking up presidency?
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[skatepixie]

[COLOR=magenta]I could happen. I dont think it should make any diffrence if its a man or a woman. People should vote for whoever they think the best person for the job is.[/COLOR]

[Retribution]

[size=1]Everyone knows that women are equally capable of holding the position of Presidency. Your gender really doesn't determine your leadership capabilities.

As for whether the country is open-minded enough to have one, I'm going to say definitely not. If Hillary Clinton (or any other woman) were to run in the coming election, I think she'd be buried, yes, simply because she is a woman. True, people should vote for who they think is more capable for the position, and they do just that -- many think that women simply cannot lead a nation.

I could care less if my President were a man or a woman. I just feel sorry for that woman's husband ... imagine all the jokes he's gonna get.[/size]

[The Newfie]

Well, there was a female Prime Minister in Canada in 1993... for about 4 months. Kim Cambell. Didn't make a huge splash.

The thing is that even though there are an enormous amount of women who are as capable if not more than most men at Politics. I don't know why, but people in some parts of the US still cling to their anti-feminism and the like - so a woman getting elected is unlikely. Same with why a black man won't get elected, or a homosexual man... they can be the best politician ever and still not get elected.

Seems idiots can, though....

[IceRose]

Well as a woman that I am I have to say yes, a woman is perfectly capable of running a country, if not look at Gandi's daughter. I mean women in this century are not like we used to be in the middle ages when we were not allowed an opinion, now a woman can pretty much curse out men, beat men at some jobs even though the majority of times men are the ones that run the game. One down side to having a woman president would be that we let ourselves be overwhelmed by emotions at times but besides that vote for a woman as a president :catgirl:

[Fyxe]

[size=1][color=slategray]Sure... women are capable, completely capable. But will most of America agree with that? No. Even though the places are getting better at accepting that people of differnt races/gender/sexuality can be just as good as anyone, it's not the way it should be. There is still a lot of discrimination, and there always will be, somewhere.
Some women are actually afraid of the fact that their gender is receiving more power than we used to. And with that, they would say that a woman is in fact, [I]not[/I] up to holding the position of President.

Another thing... most people are used to men being the symbol of human power... people generally see a man as a powerful, supportive, and an "intact" figure. With that, a country or community would generally feel safer under a man's rule. That's just... how it's always been.

I'm not saying that a woman [I]couldn't[/I] become President, because I would like to see one in the White House, representing us and the country.... but... I am saying that it is very unlikely at this time. There are many involved with the government... but none have yet risen to "the top" yet.[/color][/size]

[DeadSeraphim]

[QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]Everyone knows that women are equally capable of holding the position of Presidency. Your gender really doesn't determine your leadership capabilities.

As for whether the country is open-minded enough to have one, I'm going to say definitely not. If Hillary Clinton (or any other woman) were to run in the coming election, I think she'd be buried, yes, simply because she is a woman. True, people should vote for who they think is more capable for the position, and they do just that -- many think that women simply cannot lead a nation.

I could care less if my President were a man or a woman. I just feel sorry for that woman's husband ... imagine all the jokes he's gonna get.[/size][/QUOTE]
[color=indigo][size=1][font=arial]Ha, if the President's wife is First Lady, does that make him First Lord?

I think a woman is capable of leading a country (New Zealand's Prime Minister is a woman), but I'm pretty sure we won't see a female US president in this lifetime. Too much gender discrimination, despite the feminist movement, heh. In short: don't hold your breath.[/font][/size][/color]

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.

I suppose my reaction to the title was an honesty "Why not ?". I don't see any reason why a woman shouldn't be able to hold the same political office as her male counterpart if she's capable to do the job, but then again we are talking about politics and it's all "scratch my back..." there. I reckon there'll probably be a female U.S. President before too long, say maybe twenty, thirty years though possibly shorter given the current run of candidates from both sides.

Whether or not America ever elects a female President really isn't my concern, seeing as I'm here in Ireland and those kinds of political decisions really don't affect me. That is of course unless the candidate turns out to be an uber-feminist and then we might have a problem...[/SIZE]

[quote name='Retribution][size=1']I could care less if my President were a man or a woman. I just feel sorry for that woman's husband ... imagine all the jokes he's gonna get.[/size][/quote]

[SIZE=1]Yeah that one's going to be the source of laughs for a while, though I'm sure eventually people will just settle down and stop laughing, or more likely the title will just be done away with. I know very few other countries who's elected political leader's husband/wife have a title of their own. [/SIZE]

[Derald]

[FONT=Papyrus][SIZE=1][COLOR=DimGray]Personally, I couldn't care less about politics. Politics have distorted the views of "right" and "wrong" so horribly that I no longer care. Sure, go ahead, have a woman as president, I just hope that she will not let "society" and personal issues affect what should really be done.

Having a woman as president would be the same to me as having anyone else, just another human. We just need someone with a sense of [B]proper[/B] responsibility.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Starwind]

I believe women in the presidency is just like anything else, it depends on the woman. Now obviously Martha Stewart has no business running the country. But the same can be said in many other situations. SOme people question whether or not we could have a black president, it depends on the black guy. Nelson Mandella, absolutly; Mr. T, I'll say this, the day he becomes president is the day I move to Canada. Can I get an Amen here people?

[Leofski]

We had Maggie Thatcher over here. She seemed to do all right, so no reason I can see why there shouldn't be a female US president. Sure, the jokes might be pretty hard on her husband, but atm this thread almost translates as "Is it possible for Hilary Clinton to run next election?". I certainly can't think of anyone from the republican side, although my knowledge isn't that good.

[Sandy]

Actually, we have a female president, [B]Tarja Halonen[/B], here in Finland - has been for six years now, and in February she's most likely going to be selected for another six-year-period. According to the most recent polls, she has about 58%of the Finns supporting her, as opposed to her seven rivals (yes, we have that many parties in this country).

Here's her English website: [url]http://www.tarjahalonen.fi/en/index.php[/url]

If some of you Americans have watched [B]Conan O'Brien[/B] lately, you should know that he has become one of Tarja Halonen's supporters in this election - just because they look strikingly similar. ;P

What comes to her job description, the presidency in Finland is mostly based on representation, but she's also head of the Finnish Army, and she nominates the ministers to the government.

"Despite" her being a woman, she's done a wonderful job, and we Finns are - as the polls show - very proud of her.

We even had a female prime minister last year, but her "reign" only lasted for few months before she had to step down because of some scandals in her election.

Finland has always been one of the precursors in the equality of the sexes, but I believe once the people of USA and other countries that haven't had a female president will eventually have one - just because there is no reason [I]not[/I] to have one, if she's more capable than the male candidates. ;D

[Shadow Blade]

[quote name='Starwind']I believe women in the presidency is just like anything else, it depends on the woman. Now obviously Martha Stewart has no business running the country. But the same can be said in many other situations. SOme people question whether or not we could have a black president, it depends on the black guy. Nelson Mandella, absolutly; Mr. T, I'll say this, the day he becomes president is the day I move to Canada. Can I get an Amen here people?[/quote]
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Amen.

I have read several interesting posts. Obiviously most of the strongest posts were done by females I presume. However with most of you guys I strongly agree. And Starwind I have heard of people saying there should be a black guy or some other guy who has a different ethic background, to show that America is really a all National Ethic happy country.
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[Semjaza]

I honestly don't think it's going to happen in the US for a long time. If Hilary Clinton winds up running, regardless of how bad her opponent could possibly be, a huge section of the US would simply not vote for her. I don't agree with it, but it's just how it seems to be in this country right now. Even with the polls showing a majority of people against the current administration in some form or another, I really feel like a good section of this country would vote on the reason of sex and sex alone. She'd have an incredibly tough time, particularly when you know really not many Republicans would want to vote for her just based on her last name to begin with lol.

There's a big difference in many voters' minds between a seat on something like the senate and the commander in-chief of the country. It's a line that's still hard to cross here. Same for even just black (or other races) men... I mean, seriously, there's only [I]one black guy[/I] in the senate. There's a lot of people, particularly older white males, who have a very set idea of how things should be. They seemingly have a lot of pull for whatever reason.

Really, the only shot the US has at this right now really is Hilary... which I think is a bit of a problem. I don't even think I'd vote for her, even if I generally disagree with Republicans. Her views on nearly everything are so pathetically vague that it's hard to even want to give her the benefit of the doubt. For me it's not a matter of sex as much as it is a matter of agreement and balance.

[Hevn]

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][color=indigo][size=1][font=arial]Ha, if the President's wife is First Lady, does that make him First Lord?
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First Man, babe. ^_~

Well, we currently have a female president right now. We also had one before her. It's unusual because we had two presidents who were forced to step down and both of them were replaced by females.

[Attimus331]

[COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Well, i haven't read all of the comments yet, but i imagine all of 'em are saying "sure, a woman is perfectly capable," etc. And for the most part i'd have to agree. If she's capable, then she's capable, that's all there is to it....or so it should be. But you have to remember a large part of the president's job is foreign relations, and that'd be a challenge for a female president, moreso than a male president. Not to say it's right, but it's the truth. It'd be difficult i'd imagine for some people to take the female president seriously. Therefore she may not be as capable as a male president of the same skill, intelligence, political prowess, etc.

Ah, if only all sexism was completely abolished from this planet. Oh well.

But that's not the only challenge the female president would face that a male president would not. Girls are different than boys, and they face different challeges, duh. So yeah.

I think it could happen, it'd just be tough for the first one.

Later. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[Drix D'Zanth]

A female president? I would love to see Condi run. I'm not sure how a female [i]and[/i] a racial minority would play out, but she'd definately have my vote. I certainly wouldn't vote for Mrs. Clinton for a few philosophical and political differences. I think it's only a matter of time before more and more women come into political power. If we are to say, as rational individuals that it shouldn't matter that someone is a woman to run for president; we must also rationally eliminate the fact that a future candidate might be female as a pro. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying being a woman is a good thing or a bad thing, but indifference is certainly key. It is easy to slide from "women should have equal rights" to "women's rights have been detracted from for too long, time for men to give something back". The second argument is pretty easy to make, but I think we can all agree that gender is never really a good credential when it comes to politics?

[Shadow Blade]

[quote name='Generic NPC #3']If Hilary Clinton winds up running, regardless of how bad her opponent could possibly be, a huge section of the US would simply not vote for her.[/quote]
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As much as I would hate to admit it, but Gen.NPC#3 you're right. Today's society wouldn't vote for Hilary because of her husband's scandal with Monica L. but basically because of her sex. America is literally full of sexists. But get this, according to population recorders they predict that women will be the stronger sex. There is about two women for every male. What I'm predicting is that maybe 10 or 20 years (give or take a few) from now, women will be the stronger sex and have a female president.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Zenriek]

[QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]Everyone knows that women are equally capable of holding the position of Presidency. Your gender really doesn't determine your leadership capabilities.

As for whether the country is open-minded enough to have one, I'm going to say definitely not. If Hillary Clinton (or any other woman) were to run in the coming election, I think she'd be buried, yes, simply because she is a woman. True, people should vote for who they think is more capable for the position, and they do just that -- many think that women simply cannot lead a nation.

I could care less if my President were a man or a woman. I just feel sorry for that woman's husband ... imagine all the jokes he's gonna get.[/size][/QUOTE]

Yes. Women are prefectly capable of being leaders, same as men. It doesn't matter what gender, race, etc. you are. It all matters how you handle things.

But will one be president? Probably not, at least not soon. Unless people become more open-minded. But, like Retribution said, they'd probably be stuck up to the neck in sand. Sorry to say.

Heh, and I'd feel sorry for the husband too. ;)

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1]Of course a woman is [i]capable[/i] of running the country. If they are intelligent, honest, persistent, of strong character, blah-blah-blah. The main challenge [as many have said] is overcoming the barriers of public vote - I don't think that the US is probably ready for a female President. Additionally, I'm not sure if it would be suited to one. The US is the world's [i]only[/i] super-power, or the strongest at least. As such, at most discussions/gatherings, the US is leading, and most 'world leaders' are men, some of whom come from countries where submitting to a woman is a bad thing, something against their beliefs. Which is another reason not to have a female President.

Has anyone else noted that almost all movies featuring a President have a [i]black[/i] one though? I think Hollywood has an agenda...[/size]

[Retribution]

[quote name='Baron Samedi][size=1]Has anyone else noted that almost all movies featuring a President have a [i]black[/i'] one though? I think Hollywood has an agenda...[/size][/quote]
[size=1][I]Heaven forbid[/I] that after decades of white-only Presidents in Hollywood, they finally get a few Black guys! What a horrid agenda!

I'm glad that they have shows with Black Presidents, but I seriously doubt that America would elect one in the next election. I know Obama is thinking about running, and I think he'd have a better chance than Hillary, but again, America just doesn't seem open-minded enough to let a minority in the seat of power.

Now... if only the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions seceeded... *ponders*[/size]

[Anime Elf]

I agree about the sexism thing. There's still a whole lot. Same with racism. If Condi ran, a lot of people wouldn't vote for her because she'a a woman and/or she's black. Sad but true. I'm not seeing someone besides a white male president for the next 20 to 30 years at least. It's really different and we don't like "really different" here in America, despite what the "majority of people" say.

[Baron Samedi]

[quote name='Retribution][size=1][I]Heaven forbid[/I'] that after decades of white-only Presidents in Hollywood, they finally get a few Black guys! What a horrid agenda![/size][/quote][size=1]What the hell? I was just saying it was interesting that Hollywood often casts black Presidents when there has never been one. Settle down o_O[/size]

[Retribution]

[quote name='Baron Samedi][size=1']What the hell? I was just saying it was interesting that Hollywood often casts black Presidents when there has never been one. Settle down o_O[/size][/quote]
[size=1]You didn't say it was 'interesting' that Hollywood often casts black Presidents, you said that you thought they had an [i]agenda[/i], which I interpreted to mean they had ulterior motives. I mean, the word 'agenda,' to me, has negative connotations. When you say 'That judge has an agenda,' it's not a positive, or even a neutral thing.[/size]

[James]

[quote name='Retribution][size=1]You didn't say it was 'interesting' that Hollywood often casts black Presidents, you said that you thought they had an [i]agenda[/i'], which I interpreted to mean they had ulterior motives. I mean, the word 'agenda,' to me, has negative connotations. When you say 'That judge has an agenda,' it's not a positive, or even a neutral thing.[/size][/quote]

[font=franklin gothic medium]An agenda is simply a group of things that are up for discussion/consideration or action. There's no inherent negative connotation to that word. Politicians often like using the word in a negative context though.

I would say that Hollywood often does have an agenda with this type of thing, but it's by no means an negative one - fictional situations obviously allow you to create scenarios that may not be occurring in real life (ie: a black or female president). Sometimes that probably has a message behind it (perhaps that a non-white or non-male president would be just as capable?). But, you know, that's what movies are about anyway...so there's no big deal there.

I think it's kind of sad that the United States hasn't yet had a female leader, although I'm very surprised that Australia hasn't had a female prime minister yet...especially when you consider that New Zealand has had several and especially when you consider that we've had female premiers (governors) before. In Australia's case I think the main problem right now is a lack of candidates. There are some women who could probably move to that position but I think the issue is heirarchy (especially in the current government). Yes, there are women who could be considered for the job, but there is already a line of several men who are kind of waiting around for it (I'm looking at you, Peter Costello).

In any case, it does actually surprise me that this type of thing is even still an issue in so many places. I wouldn't want to vote for someone just because they are female or black, however, that isn't a quality that would stop me voting for them either. It'd just be nice to see more candidates that aren't the stereotype that we always see.[/font]