women in politics . . .

[flyboy55]

After reading the last couple of 'political' threads, it's clear to me that women still aren't taken seriously when it comes to politics.

Between attacking some female politicians as feminazis because they've dared to associate the word 'feminist' with themselves, or discussing whether or not some other female politicians would be good sex partners because they have nice legs, it is obvious there is less importance attached to what these women may actually have to say.

Before I get an argument from some women claiming they discuss male politicians in the same way, let me just point out that I haven't yet seen it with regard to Obama, McCain, Biden or any others, here at BN.

Still a long way to go unfortunately.

[Wino you know]

They've been getting elected in large numbers, haven't they?
I'd say THAT'S being taken pretty seriously.

[ragtopW]

After reading the last couple of 'political' threads, it's clear to me that women still aren't taken seriously when it comes to politics.

Between attacking some female politicians as feminazis because they've dared to associate the word 'feminist' with themselves, or discussing whether or not some other female politicians would be good sex partners because they have nice legs, it is obvious there is less importance attached to what these women may actually have to say.

Before I get an argument from some women claiming they discuss male politicians in the same way, let me just point out that I haven't yet seen it with regard to Obama, McCain, Biden or any others, here at BN.

Still a long way to go unfortunately.

Um not to put words in anyones mouth..
the Feminist thing isn't what you think..
My issues with them (as with all "small" groups)
MY point of view is the only one that matters.. MY
problems with an issue are more important
than yours

they are less "government by the people" than
" I want to be equal but better and with more laws/programs
directed towards ME"
the book Animal Farm comes to mind..

[ragtopW]

I have no problem with women in Politics

i have a team lead at work I would love to see run..

she is the most fair person I have ever met..

[ejr]

They've been getting elected in large numbers, haven't they?
I'd say THAT'S being taken pretty seriously.

It's all relative. Less than 20% of the senate, for example. Progress, yes, but hard to qualify as large numbers.

[Wino you know]

It's all relative. Less than 20% of the senate, for example. Progress, yes, but hard to qualify as large numbers.

The entire U.S. senate may only comprise of 20% women, but what I meant was these days when they run for office, any office, women seem to be getting elected in much larger numbers than in the past, or, if they don't get elected, they at least make some serious enough noise that makes people take notice and hear what they have to say.

Hillary Clinton may not have been elected to the presidency this time around, but anyone who hasn't heard of her or what she stands for has clearly been living under a rock. And stay tuned, kiddies. She's not done yet.
As much as I disagree with her and didn't want her elected to ANY office, you'd better believe I take that woman seriously. DAMN seriously.
DAMN DAMN seriously.

And speaking of Mrs. Clinton, and at the risk of being accused of attempting to hijack this thread, I'd be curious to know how many former first ladies of the past 50 years the average person could name. I'm not talking about some of the politically astute people who post here, but, rather, the AVERAGE man or woman on the street, who only pay attention to politics every four years, if that often.
Just wondering.

[RinglingRingling]

Eleanor Roosevelt
Bess Truman
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower
Jacqueline Kennedy
Ladybird Johnson
Patricia Nixon
Roselyn Carter
Nancy Reagan
Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton
Laura Bush

[Wino you know]

Eleanor Roosevelt
Bess Truman
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower
Jacqueline Kennedy
Ladybird Johnson
Patricia Nixon
Roselyn Carter
Nancy Reagan
Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton
Laura Bush

Very good, professor.
I ASS-U-ME you just knew that and didn't have to look it up

[RinglingRingling]

Eleanor Roosevelt
Bess Truman
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower
Jacqueline Kennedy
Ladybird Johnson
Patricia Nixon
Roselyn Carter
Nancy Reagan
Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton
Laura Bush

Very good, professor.
I ASS-U-ME you just knew that and didn't have to look it up

all from memory. it gets a bit hazier prior to Eleanor

[Wino you know]

all from memory. it gets a bit hazier prior to Eleanor

The First Lady of the United States prior to Eleanor Roosevelt was Iowa's own Lou Henry Hoover. (1874-1944).

(buried with her husband in West Branch-about 10 miles from where I work).

Prior to her, they were:
Grace Coolidge
Florence Harding
Ellen Wilson
Edith Wilson (2nd wife, after Ellen passed away in 1914)
Helen Taft
Alice Lee Roosevelt
Edith Roosevelt (2nd wife, after Alice passed away in 1884)
Ida McKinley
Frances Folsom Cleveland (became the youngest first lady in history when she married President Cleveland when she was only 21).

THERE!
You now have a complete list of all the nation's First Ladies since 1900.
(MY mind gets a bit hazy before then-Alzheimer's, I guess).

P.S.-The name "CINDY" would sure look good on that list.

[ejr]

It's all relative. Less than 20% of the senate, for example. Progress, yes, but hard to qualify as large numbers.

The entire U.S. senate may only comprise of 20% women, but what I meant was these days when they run for office, any office, women seem to be getting elected in much larger numbers than in the past, or, if they don't get elected, they at least make some serious enough noise that makes people take notice and hear what they have to say.

Hillary Clinton may not have been elected to the presidency this time around, but anyone who hasn't heard of her or what she stands for has clearly been living under a rock. And stay tuned, kiddies. She's not done yet.
As much as I disagree with her and didn't want her elected to ANY office, you'd better believe I take that woman seriously. DAMN seriously.
DAMN DAMN seriously.

And speaking of Mrs. Clinton, and at the risk of being accused of attempting to hijack this thread, I'd be curious to know how many former first ladies of the past 50 years the average person could name. I'm not talking about some of the politically astute people who post here, but, rather, the AVERAGE man or woman on the street, who only pay attention to politics every four years, if that often.
Just wondering.

Absolutely! Progress certainly has been made. And heck, the average person probably couldn't name the current president let alone the first lady or any former first ladies! Have you watched Jaywalking on the Tonight Show-frightening sometimes!

[flyboy55]

Some progress - yes.

The discussion of 'First Ladies', while informative, doesn't address women running for and getting elected to, high office.

[blackjack]

Some progress - yes.

The discussion of 'First Ladies', while informative, doesn't address women running for and getting elected to, high office.

Unless you include Hillary...except for the "elected" part.

[Elrod]

Many of us take women seriously in politics (and many other fields of endeavor).

The most vocal of those that I've seen in the last four days who don't take women seriously are also supporting a certain candidate for president. It makes me wonder about their motivation.

[Dezdmona]

I find the news coverage of women in politics incredibly sexist.
There's a tendency to focus on physical attributes, clothing, hair, children, etc...rather than issues.

The incidence of sexist remarks by news outlets covering either Palin or Hillary is embarrasing.
They just can seem to stop themselves.

[tikitatas]

I find the news coverage of women in politics incredibly sexist.
There's a tendency to focus on physical attributes, clothing, hair, children, etc...rather than issues.

The incidence of sexist remarks by news outlets covering either Palin or Hillary is embarrasing.
They just can seem to stop themselves.

That's the very reason why I as a woman avoid the Palin thread. Some BN members have gone to the default, lowest common denominator, "I'd do her" commentary (PLEASE!) straight off the announcement of McCain's choice. It is not at all amusing to me.

[diverg]

Eleanor Roosevelt
Bess Truman
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower
Jacqueline Kennedy
Ladybird Johnson
Patricia Nixon
Roselyn Carter
Nancy Reagan
Barbara Bush
Hillary Clinton
Laura Bush

R2 he said the average person on the street. You're not average.

BTW how many average young adults on the street could name the last 10 presidents much less the The First Ladies?

[Moonie]

I find the news coverage of women in politics incredibly sexist.
There's a tendency to focus on physical attributes, clothing, hair, children, etc...rather than issues.

The incidence of sexist remarks by news outlets covering either Palin or Hillary is embarrasing.
They just can seem to stop themselves.

That's the very reason why I as a woman avoid the Palin thread. Some BN members have gone to the default, lowest common denominator, "I'd do her" commentary (PLEASE!) straight off the announcement of McCain's choice. It is not at all amusing to me.

regardless of who wins the election, the Gov. of Alaska, IMO, epitomizes what women have been striving for since we got the vote. Although, on some issues I don't agree with her, I still respect her, her husband, and family for balancing what has to be an very hectic life.

Kudos to her in her accomplishments in a very male dominated profession.

Her good looks are an added bonus, I guess, for some one you.

I like to think this is the type of woman Buffett's singing about in his Smart Woman in a real short skirt...

[Wino you know]

Absolutely! Progress certainly has been made. And heck, the average person probably couldn't name the current president let alone the first lady or any former first ladies! Have you watched Jaywalking on the Tonight Show-frightening sometimes!

I've not seen that, but I have listened to Sean Hannity's "Man On the Street" segment on Thursdays.
One of his staff members interviews people (mostly young men and women in their early 20's-sometimes older), and, I'm NOT making this up, these are some of the answers he's gotten to some of the questions he's asked:

Q-"Who is Richard Cheney?"
A-"I think he's the basketball coach"

Q-"Who is the Vice President of the United States?"
A-"I just know it isn't Irving Pringle."

Q-"George W. Bush is the 43rd president. How many presidents have we had?"
A-"I'm not sure, but I'll ask my father. He'll know."

Q-"Who is Nancy Pelosi?"
A-"That name sounds familiar. I think that's the lady who does my mother's hair."

Q-"What are the three branches of government?"
A-"You mean OURS?"

Q-"How often are elections held?"
A-"I think whenever somebody dies."

AND MY FAVORITE-
Q-"Will you be voting for Truman or Dewey?"
A-"I haven't made up my mind yet."

Those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.
There've been lots of other doozys.

DAMN RIGHT it's scary.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Still a long way to go unfortunately.

Come a long way but still a long way to go, yep.