I want to see a woman president in my life time but it needs to be the right one

[awake]

I could never vote for Carly Fiorina or Sara Palin. I have not decided whom I should support yet and would like to hear from Hillary supporters if the primary reason for your support is the fact that she is a woman or is the the primary reason her policies if so which policie that she stands for is the most important to you.

It would be helpful if we can keep this thread from being a flame fest for any side and keep the respondes focused on policies, thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. So would I. But, not Hillary.

[earthside]

3. The ambition of Hillary Clinton.

And Bill, too, I imagine.

It is too bad.

There are many liberal, progressive Democratic women in a position to run for President right now.

But I guess having been married to Bill Clinton and having lived for eight years previously in the White House, Hillary thinks it is her destiny to be President -- so all those other better women are screwed this time around.

[Thinkingabout]

4. I do not discount the fact Hillary is a woman, is this the deciding factor on voting for Hillary, no

if being a woman running then it would have meant I would have supported Sarah Palin. I am supporting Hillary for her advocacy of women's issues, children's issues, violence against women, women's choices, education starting with the youngest and disadvantaged, her work as First Lady of Arkansas, her work as First Lady of the US during the time which she made a healthcare presentation to congress, her work as Senator, her work as Secretary of State. She has on her agenda wage disparity, reversing the Bush tax cuts, not raising taxes on the middle class.

There are more issues on her agenda, but I assure my vote and support is not because she is a woman.

[awake]

8. Do you feel that these issues are not shared by the other Democratic candidates

Are there policies where Hillary stands apart from the others or is is it mostly her life history (which in and of its self can be a very good reason to vote for some one)

[Thinkingabout]

12. Actually on the gun issue I see Sanders is coming back to the left on this issue and

now Sanders is saying increasing the FICA taxes on those making more than $250,000 which is what Hillary has proposed in not increasing taxes on the middle class. Sharing similar ideas of Democratic issues is not unusual among Democratic candidates.

[awake]

13. Ok so on policies you see little difference fair enough

Then it is her life history right?

[Thinkingabout]

16. I like the story of Hillary going into migrant camps trying to determine what it would

take to get the children in school, health care and general well being. I have not found another candidate which has advocated for children in this manner. There are more than this, she has advocated for the violence against women worldwide to stop. She has brought to light the raping of women and young girls worldwide. It happens in the US also.

[awake]

21. Thank you her stand against domestic violence is a very important issue

I have some concerns on her willingness to support war, and she seem like she might want to get us more military ingaged in the Middle East. Could you help me to know that this is a unfounded fear.

[Thinkingabout]

24. Military action may not be able to be avoided in the middle east or against ISIS, and we know Sander

has said he would take military action and use drones. Saying there will not be military action is just not possible, anyone who says this will not be able to be the commander-in-chief. I would say it will not matter who the president may be, ISIS is a real danger, it is a danger in the US as we have seen already. A president has so many responsibilities, they can not remain focused on a few issues, understanding foreign affairs is so very important, we live in a global world.

[CorporatistNation]

5. THAT IS Da POINT! K & R

!

[abakan]

6. I do too

Just not HRC. She has been one of the boys too long.

[Gman]

7. My support has nothing to do with her being a woman

And everything to do with the great prosperity we had during the 90's. To me she's a known quantity and the best available and electable.

[awake]

9. Which policies that are unique to Hillary will bring back that prosperity?

[The Golden One]

11. What propserity?

Look at the end results of Clinton's policies:

1) Fairness Doctrine gone, major media consolidates to six corporations.
2) Repeal of Glass-Stengall: The 2008 ECONOMIC crash
3) DOMA - repealed, but damage was done.
4) Don't Ask, Don't Tell - repealed, but damage was done
5) Not foreseeing the dot com bubble - dot com crash and millions jobs lost.
6) H1B - more low paying jobs being forced to train their Indian replacement for even lower pay.

[Gman]

49. It was before you were born

You had to be working, have a job. BTW, Reagan did away with the fairness doctrine.

[awake]

50. What are the policies that are unique to Hillary will bring back that prosperity?

Please I would like to know how she will be better at bringing back the "prosperity of the 90s"?

[floriduck]

54. And

Welfare reform removing many children from Aid to Dependent Children and forcing them into poor with no income support.

[Vinca]

10. Me, too. I wish Warren had run.

I won't cast my vote based on gender, though. It has to be a candidate I believe in.

[Ino]

14. The only Hillary supporter I personally know...

backs her because she's a woman. She never talks about Hillary's policies... just that she wants to see a female president.

This same person was all excited that Claire McCaskill became Senator, and now despises her for how she has voted, the taxes she neglected to pay on her private airplane, etc. I tell her that Hillary is McCaskill on steroids, but she doesn't care

[bvf]

15. That was my hope when I cast my vote

for Mondale/Ferraro in '84.

I paid less attention in those days, but the prospect of an eventual Ferraro candidacy for the presidency was icing on the cake in my hatred for Reagan.

[senz]

17. I'd been hoping for ages that Elizabeth Warren would run.

After it became obvious that she wouldn't, I was overjoyed when Bernie entered the race.

Because mind, heart, and soul are a million times more important than XX/XY chromosomes.

[Sancho]

18. I support Hillary for her policies and experience, not because of gender.

There are many, but important to me:

A path to citizenship for undocumented Americans.
Universal voter registration and voting rights.
Support for public education and children' rights.
Salary transparency as a key to fairness.
Support for profit-sharing to raise salaries.
Support for collective bargaining.
A realistic understanding of global issues and economies.
Legal training and experience necessary to choose judges.
Experience and understanding of financial regulations.
Overwhelming knowledge of complex issues.
Able to come into office with a strong Democratic team.
Tremendous support from Democratic politicians to work with her.

[awake]

20. Those are good reasons

Do the other candidates on our side differ on these issues if which ones?

[Sancho]

23. I think there are differences between candidates

Some differences are expressed policies and previous positions: like gun control and parts of trade agreements. If you are a "one issue" voter that might make a difference, but I tend to look at the entire candidate, not just one thing.

Some differences are formal training and experience. I like the idea that politicians have experience outside of being an elected official - and in today's world of supreme courts and crazy laws - legal experience doesn't hurt.

Some differences are personality. That's hard to categorize. I don't find any Democratic candidates as offensive as Trump or several of the GOP operatives.

All the leading Democratic candidates have basically liberal or progressive agendas. All would likely support most mainstream Democratic positions on health care, Social Security, criminal justice, and anti-discrimination. None would please every Democrat.

[joshcryer]

26. You make a considered case.

Respect.

I think Sanders is better on this issue because his appointments will be more liberal, but I wouldn't fault Clinton for appointing more moderate (even center right) pragmatists. Either way is OK as long as the agenda is met.

On my phone or I'd write more, just wanted to say we need more posts like that.

[awake]

27. Thank you for sharing

It is helpful when a supporter shares their reason for voting for a canadate

[demwing]

34. Not all of those are accurate or even close

but my key complaint here is that none of what she knows will matter if the wake of what she does when her franchise owners instruct her to rein in the rhetoric if she wants to get reelected.

Bernie can't be bought.

Hillary can't be bought fast enough.

[Sancho]

35. Everything on my list is supported...not hard to look up...

and it's silly to argue with you about some imaginary "franchise owners".

Bernie has often given into the MIC, gun industry, and other influences. It's documented, but on a smaller Vermont scale.

Regardless, Bernie does not have the experience or knowledge of important topics to make him my favorite candidate. I'd actually put Bernie last because of a few specific proposals that I disagree with entirely. O'Malley or Biden would be better.

In many ways it's a mute argument. Hillary is going to win the Democratic nomination, so it's really a matter of who wins the GE. We'll see how she does.

[awake]

36. "it's a mute argument" this kind of aditude scares me

Thinking that you will not lose is a very Dangerous view that could bite you in the end.

[Sancho]

37. I've been participating in politics a long time...

right now, Bernie has little chance to win the primary or election. He has about 30 days before the primaries begin. If he has some new policy or plan or pronouncement, now is the time for him to get moving.

There's nothing dangerous except one thing. If Bernie were the Democratic nominee, he would never win a GE against a well-funded GOP candidate. If Bernie voters don't vote for the Democratic candidate; the repubs might win.

A Jeb or Rubio or Cruz would repeal the ACA, invade more countries, and deregulate more banks. That would be dangerous.

[awake]

38. 8 years ago HRC was a sure thing

As I understand it Bernie is in the same place as Obama was in Dec. of 2007 so one never knows
I do agree that the biggest danger is letting the GOP win the WhiteHouse.

[demwing]

40. "it's a mute argument"

inadvertently true

[Sancho]

42. Self portrait?

If you aren't interested in facts and want to post attacks, why are you on DU? It makes some candidates followers poor representatives.

[demwing]

44. And Boom, another $30 going to Bernie. Thanks!

I bet my son that you'd say that. He said you'd ignore me. Winner gets to smile while the other coughs up the cash.

Either way, Bernie wins (and his campaign sends a sincere "thanks!&quot

As to the rest of your post, you're confusing your opinions with "facts." You're also confusing me with someone who gives a damn about your false concern regarding "some candidates followers."

Or should we donate another $30 to Bernie in your honor?

[Sancho]

45. Help yourself!! Maybe a lottery ticket?

Bernie is useful to attract attention to the race.

[azmom]

19. I'm very happy to be supporting Bernie

Sanders. He is my dream candidate.

[Matariki]

22. What I want to see in my lifetime is for it not to matter.

For the ticket to be two women for President & VP, or two African Americans, or whatever/whoever and nobody thinks twice about it - only about who will do the best job.

[seabeyond]

25. A lifetime supporter of women's rights is a HUGE political advantage. Her record is solid

progressive. Solid credentials. Solid experience. Bringing in the fact of breaking the glass ceiling makes her unattainable.

[darkangel218]

28. Lol. eom

[seabeyond]

29. I have read enough of your posts to not be too concerned with your "lol".

[darkangel218]

30. Same here.

Carry on

[treestar]

31. I am not supporting her because she is a woman

I would be supporting the Democratic candidate. I would certainly vote for Bernie over a Palin or Fiorina.

No one is really saying vote for her due to being female - only Sanderites claiming to be told that by fictional Hillary supporters.

[awake]

33. Well my sister as well as a umber of my friends have indicated that

The main reason they support her is that they want to see a woman in the oven office.

[treestar]

39. Are they apolitical?

Or would have voted Democratic anyway?

I do think that with the apolitical that would be a factor and in Hillary's favor.

The troglodytes who think a female can't handle the office would be voting R anyway.

[awake]

41. My sister has been with the league of woman voters for years

The others vote Dem. all the time

[MADem]

57. Unintentional hilarity--the "OVEN Office!!!" It can get pretty heated in there, I'm sure!

And if anyone can take the heat, it's Hillary Clinton!

[awake]

58. Ya I meant Oval office

Auto spell correct did it stuff again

[MADem]

61. Hell, OVEN office works, too...! nt

[onecaliberal]

32. I want to see a candidate who is truly for the people and

not more corporate clones. I don't give two shits what their gender is.

[DanTex]

43. I support her because she's the most likely to beat the GOP.

What matters most to me is not having a Republican in the White House.

[awake]

46. I hear others on this site say the same about their candidate

So please can you give me some fact which you base that on (and others who say their candidate has a better chance please explain why)

Thank you

[DanTex]

47. It's based on the way I see the nation and the electorate.

I think Bernie is simply too far left for most voters, and also that his describing himself as socialist, while it plays well with the base, is a serious vulnerability in the GE. I can't think of anyone as far left as him who has won any significant election anywhere outside of a few small very blue states. There was a gallup poll finding that less than half of Americans would consider voting for a socialist.

Hillary also has much stronger fundraising capacity. Avoiding large donors is good PR, but reality is, the GOP is going to spend a billion plus, and unilaterally disarming in the face of that kind of spending is not a winning strategy.

The argument gets made that Bernie will bring disaffected independent voters to the polls, and while there might be something to that, I don't think it's anywhere close to significant enough to make up for his weaknesses and Hillary's stronger mainstream appeal.

[awake]

48. Thank you for explaining you choice

I feel a healthy thoughtful discussion will help all of us.

[MADem]

51. To my mind, Hillary is the obvious choice. She has my vote. nt

[awake]

52. Please what is your primary reason for your support of HRC?

What is the main thing about Hillary that made you decide to support her?

[MADem]

55. Of all the candidates, she has the most experience, the most depth, the most "connections"--

both in our legislature and internationally-to get things done. She has a liberal streak that goes back to her days at Wellesley, that people who don't know her and who refuse to learn about her might not see. She's been shit on, lied about, attacked repeatedly, and she does not bend, fold or spindle--she is tough as steel, smart as a tack, and the most prepared candidate I have seen since I cast my first ballot for POTUS (and that was many, MANY years ago).

Plus, she's got a spouse who is trusted on the international stage who can cut deals on her behalf. That's a value-added item, not integral to her qualifications, but were she running against anyone equally qualified to her (and there's no one who is running from any party who is even close to her talents) that would put her over the edge.

[awake]

56. Thank you

[brewens]

53. I'm voting for Hillary because she's a woman! I'm burning to see a woman elected president

and that's all that matters to me. I feel anyone that doesn't love Hillary is like a traitor to the party and might deprive me of the first good chance I've ever had to have a woman president!

[BainsBane]

59. I'm voting for her because she is the only one qualified to do the job

Her resume and experience are extensive, yet we continue to asked or told we are supporting her only because she is a woman. How many, I wonder, are supporting Sanders only because he is male? How is it that so many can look at a candidate with credentials as extensive as Clinton and even ask the question in the OP? It's astounding that you assume the default position is to to support a male candidate who has only one major legislative achievement to his name in 25 years in congress. That these questions persist and people assume the male candidate with far less experience is the default shows just how much gender plays a role in the opposition to Clinton.

If there were a reasonable alternative to Clinton, I would consider that candidate, but I will not vote for someone with far fewer qualifications simply because he's male.

[awake]

60. Have you looked at O'Malley's experience

By the way I was all in for Elizabeth Warren but she is not running.

[BainsBane]

62. I like some of his proposals

especially on gun control, but his campaign isn't going anywhere. Then there is the fact he knows nothing about foreign policy. His spiel about the Cold War during the last debate was just strange.

Whether or not you like Elizabeth Warren doesn't make up for whatever is going on that prompts you to ask the question in the OP. It is very much like the Republicans calling Obama an affirmative action president. People have voted exclusively for male presidents throughout this country's history, yet when we have for the first time a woman who is likely contender for the office, and we face this sort of dismissal that she's only popular because she's a woman, because it's so easy for women to be elected president. The assumption is ridiculous in the extreme and shows how some assume the presidency and political power to be rightful province of men.

We've had thread after thread like this one. You could have read one of the thirty before this. Perhaps you have. Yet you still can't imagine that there would be any reason other than gender to vote for an extremely qualified candidate with a far longer history of advocacy for liberal causes than Senator Warren, the one woman you say you would vote for. Whatever it is that prompts you and others who post these sort of threads exposing yourselves, I suggest you get over it. This isn't the 1950s. America, despite all the kicking and screaming, is gradually catching up with the rest of the world.

The Democratic Party increasingly represents women and people of color, the majority of the population. That means it will elect representatives who come from those same constituencies. We all get one vote. No more, no less. It would be nice if people would understand that rather than insisting their votes, their choices, and their reasoning was so superior to the majority's, but I suspect there is little chance of that happening.