Last night I watched the Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I was dismayed as I saw Hillary reinforce the negative stereotype of women being too emotional to be leaders. Don't get me wrong, I know for a fact that I am an emotional individual, as both men and women can be at times. I am not, however, running for President. If I were, I would try to curb any over-emotional sentiments I may have on a given issue. Enthusiasm is one thing; anger, frustration, and arrogance is another. I felt growing admiration for Barack as Hillary interrupted the moderators and showed a blatant disregard for the rules of the debate, and Barack sat there cool and composed. No one is going to respect a President who acts like a child and throws tantrums. Respect is something you have to give to get, and Hillary was disrespectful to everyone on the stage that night.
Okay, so Hillary's emotional about things for which she cares deeply. Is that such a bad thing? Unfortunately, in the political state in which we live today, it is. Leave the ranting and yelling to the Conversatives. We, as liberal, progressive-minded individuals, must be above all that if we wish to change the political system. We need to be cool and composed like Obama: open to working with people holding different beliefs than our own, and able to demonstrate our passion for an issue without being insulting or derisive. It is one thing to stand up for what you believe in; it is another to step all over others to do so. Foreign leaders are not going to take Hillary's aggressive attitude as a positive attribute; they are going to be offended and turned off. Hillary should take heed of the old saying, you get more with honey than with vinegar, and tone down her attitude.
One can show passion for an issue without being overly rude or pushy. In the words of the extraordinary Mother Theresa, "kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
Love and Blessings,
Nessa
There have been many successful female leaders who have been taken seriously by other nations. However, I think that in America, the stress and pressure placed on candidates may be more easily dealt with by males rather than females, perhaps because of the emotional aspect that all females share. I am not saying that I agree with Hillary's actions, but I think that when judging her, you need to take into consideration the massive amount of stress that is on her shoulders at the moment. I am sure she was frustrated and upset at her current position behind Obama. I wonder however, if Obama was trailing behind at such a pivotal point in the primary process, if his behavior would have been different that we had observed it to be during last night's debate.
It does make me sad that Hillary was losing her cool in that debate. That sort of behavior, as you said, doesn't make the Democrats look good. We need to be and antidote for the screaming on the right, not take part in it.
On the other hand, though Hillary did lose her cool, I'm more pleased with what Hillary has said about her plans. I feel like she has better plans than Obama, and if she could just keep her emotions in check that would come out more than anything else. I don't believe that this is a condition that she can't help because she's a woman, though. There are plenty of men who get overly excited/frustrated/angry while running for President. Look at the infamous Howard Dean yell that ruined his chances and the earlier debate where Obama was going at Hillary just as much as she was.
I do want this behavior to stop, though. I'm tired of it and I think the rest of America is, too.
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You must be the change you wish to see in the world -- Mahatma Ghandi
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
I find it kind of dismaying to know that other countries, like India and in countries of the Middle East, there have already been women leaders. Why hasn't the US caught up by now, I wonder?
Hillary getting emotional might not be a "woman thing" per se, but just how she is. My opinion, obviously.
I agree, it may be more her personality as a person than as a woman.
I must say I am very impressed by all the information I am reading and learning from the younger generation. I am here for a short period of time but you my friends have a choice to make for your future. Now is the time to come together value your views and choose a leader who will improve the goings on, I am not savvy on politics but I know that my niece is one who is fair and fights for whats right. I respect her decisions and admire her willpower.
On about the blog itself. as I read more into it I am moved that the younger generation is speaking up, its not just for us older people , you guys matter, continue to learn and debate and speak your mind , make sure everyone hears what you have to say.
On that note thank you for the knowledge