It has come to my attention that you "might not" vote for Obama because you feel that he or his campaign might be guilty of being "terribly sexist". As a woman and feminist, I can't disagree more. The most common mention of Obama's sexism toward Clinton is the remark that "she's likeable enough". What about that has any shred of sexual/gender connotation? Is it she? Would you prefer that he used a non-gender specific noun such as "It"? Honestly, I'm wondering what it is you have seen as being wrong and how Barack Obama has been 'terribly sexist'? Because I simply am not getting it.
I understand that you are still probably seething because your remarks ("If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position, and if he was a woman, he would not be in this position.")were not well received. They were clearly unwarranted and honestly more sexist than anything anyone can claim that Obama has done. The damage done is your own and has nothing to do with the "sexism" of Obama. I think you come across as more upset about the reaction to your backhand remark than truly concerned about the well being of Hillary Clinton as a candidate.
I will accept that you claim that your intention was not what was inferred from your remark however your behavior immediately following and since has been unflattering at best to support your point. Mind you I do not intend to use "unflattering" as a comment on your gender. It is a word simply meant to imply that your behavior has been undesirable, unnecessary and poor.
I don't mean to single you out but it is becoming more and more clear that some women who have claimed to be ground breakers, trend-setters, and such are using the cry of sexism where it does not belong; in essence crying wolf. I think it is unfortunate especially for women, including Mrs. Clinton, who face genuine sexism daily.
A few instances where sexism did occur that Mrs. Clinton probably should have called out.
- In the bar in Indiana while drinking a beer surrounded by men, Hillary was cheered on by that same group of men to take a shot. She was pressured into a demeaning situation but did not call sexism. Why? Does she perceive that these men are supporters and therefore cannot call them on their clear sexist behavior?
- When Bill calls her gal or girl on the trail.
- When men who fail to understand that she is a highly educated and capable WOMAN mention that she has "testicular fortitude".
Those are sexist and none of them, NOT ONE, involve Barack Obama.
I think that as a Democrat, a woman, a "feminist" (should you subscribe to that ideal), you might consider what the alternatives are this election season considering as well that the next president will appoint 2 possibly 3 new Supreme court justices.
Should the women who are mistaking politeness with politics and campaigning with sexism be encouraged to vote for McCain, a man who called his own wife a "c^*t", a man who also will not appoint judges who will protect a woman's right to choose. He will appoint judges that further a Pseudo-christian conservative agenda that does not take into account the health needs of woman. So should women who are upset that Hillary did not win the primary season be made to vote against their "sex" in order to prove a point that doesn't genuinely hold water?
I'm asking because I want to know what the plan is for those women who won't get their "female candidate" this fall, not because of sexism, but because that "female candidate" simply is not the right "candidate" for America at this time.
Should these women vote against their interests rather than support the candidate who supports their causes along with the other issues and positions that Sen. Hillary Clinton supports?
Edit: I just want to add that as a woman, these "feminists" who are unwarranted in claiming sexism against Obama do not speak for me as a feminist or as a woman. I am ashamed that they are attempting to claim my voice as a woman to perpetuate a cause that honestly is best served elsewhere. I am ashamed and I reject it for myself and the other women and feminists who support Barack Obama. We chose to think and to vote with our brains not our gender.