Am I a bad feminist because I'm not feeling thankful towards Hillary Clinton?

Today, the day after listening to Hillary Clinton's non-concession speech, I'm not feeling particularly thankful. In fact, what I'm feeling is frustration. I'm trying not to let it dampen my spirits, after all, Barack Obama is going to be the next president of the United States.

Last night Clinton spoke of unity. Of bringing the party together, but as Hilary Rosen writes, last night didn't end the way it should have.

She didn't do what she should have done. As hard and as painful as it might have been, she should have conceded, congratulated, endorsed and committed to Barack Obama.

That would have shown me that she was committed to party unity. Instead we got "I won't be making any decisions tonight" and veiled threats about how she will wield her 17 million popular votes. And instead, the only uniting she is doing, as the Opinion LA states, is unifying people against her. That move last night just killed her chances of ever running for president again. Think she realizes that?

That's not unity, that's looking out for number one. And that is the reason why I have never been able to get behind Hillary Clinton.

This cycle I supported the best candidate for the job: John Edwards. When he suspended his campaign, I looked at the issues, I looked at character, I looked at how the world was watching us, and all of that influenced my decision to support the next best candidate for the job: Barack Obama. I didn't support a candidate because of race or gender. I supported the best qualified person for the job.

Strangely, I feel no love lost because a woman didn't make to the presidency this time. I can appreciate that Hillary Clinton blazed a trail and made so many women proud, but she, interviewing for the most important job in the world, wasn't chosen. That's honestly how I feel. I know a woman will be president eventually, and when that woman also happens to be the best candidate, I will vote for her.

If that makes me a bad feminist then so be it.

MOMocrats co-founding editor Stefania Pomponi Butler writes the irreverent and delicious CityMama and has been wearing her Obama '08 cap all day today.

Comments

[Gunfighter]

No. You aren't a bad feminist.

Senator Clinton's speech was ungracious at best... but that is to be expected from someone who ran the sort of campaign that she did.

If she plans on leading some of her followers on a different path other than party unity, that, too, would be just like her.

I suspect she is going to hold out for a place on the Obama ticket... If that is so, I suspect that she will be left at the station.

Mrs Gunfighter is an exceptionally smart woman. She is a feminist, she is a lifelong, hardcore Democrat. She also lurks here at your blog. She doesn't have a lot of good to say about Clinton... but she would have voted for her if she were the nominee... she, unlike me, was also ready to ignore her leadership failure that was her vote on the Iraq war. even then she would have voted for her... that is until Senator Clinton, her husband and surrogates started race-baiting.

She will never forgive Clinton for that.

No, I don't see you as a bad feminist... you're just a smart lady who sees clearly.

[Debbie]

The first and foremost concern for *any* feminist, the label of good and/or bad being irrelevant in this scenario, is to engage each other and work for equality. Equal rights for EVERYONE. Which would signify that we are attempting to bring about the right for anyone at all, gender/race/sexual preferences aside, to achieve their goals.

To strive to give everyone the opportunity to be their best selves. To allow all of that achievement and striving-for-good feed into the community of the world, and see its results; leadership that is excellent, not because the leader is a specific color or gender, etc., but because they possess the best, the VERY best, skills, in order to govern well and truly.

That is feminism. That is what being a feminist means.

I will NOT take a back seat away from those ideals. I'm a feminist, and I know what it means to fight for my right to be party to electing the best person for the job.

[Shannon]

I actually feel it makes you a good feminist, in that you have taken gender out of the equation, and isn't that the driving force behind feminism? Despite what "anti-feminists" have touted in the past, women have not been seeking special rights or privileges, but equal rights, a level playing field. Great strides have been made, and I think this campaign has shown that, but voting for someone simply on the basis of their anatomy IS sexism, just as basing a vote on a persons color is Racism. When we vote for our beliefs and the person who best represents them, or has the best chance of achieving most of them, then we are practicing democracy and civil rights to our greatest benefit.

[cynematic]

Well, CityMama, I am still working on making the lump of coal I'm carrying for Clinton smaller. It's still there, but *smaller.* (Although, maybe after this reply it'll be bigger. :( Sigh.).

My current peeve is how some are saying Obama needs to woo Clinton supporters. Of course he does. He's offered olive branch after olive branch. At some point, some of the most dyed-in-the-wool Clinton supporters have to allow themselves to be won over.

But also at some point, Clinton must make the effort to bring her supporters around, to make Obama's case to them. Strongly, unequivocally, and with urgency.

If she doesn't, then it says a lot about her. And she can work on making herself irrelevant in the Senate among her colleagues with that kind of ongoing grudge/tantrum. She will be revealed for what she is: not a feminist (as I understand it), but just another ordinary vote-grubbing, self-serving, power-above-all pandering politician. Like the thousands of men who have served before her and looked out for number one above country and party. Look at Joe Lieberman, who got kicked out of the Dem party for just that reason.

I hope she's bigger than that. But it's up to her to decide what road to take.

[Kristin]

I don't think it makes you a bad feminist. If feminists can't adore Obama, and strongly dislike many things that Clinton has done, then I'm out....

I issued my thanks to her on Momocrats today for two reasons...

1) As a way of forging unity with Democrats who liked her and who we're going to need in November. Unity is so necessary right now and there are some very sad people out there...while I don't like their candidate, I don't doubt the sincerity of her supporters...

2) The same way you say "Wow...thanks for coming!" to dinner guests who are still sitting at the table after several protracted yawns and other assorted hints. A "thanks" as in, "Can we end this now?"

[Kristin]

PS..I'm wearing my ObamaMama t-shirt today and may not take it off until I start to smell...

[Jozet]

omg...it's useless.

Useless.

This has nothing to do with feminisim.

It has nothing to do with racism.

I give up.

You are all are intent on having McCain for president.

Obama has won, and still you are threatened by Hillary. Can you not even believe in the words and ability of your own guy? Can you not even believe in your own abilities to unite and enact change? You can't keep blaming Hillary for Obama's inadequacies. You have to push him to be better and stronger. Your campaign can't continue to be against the witches in your mind.

No. No, it's not up to Hillary supporters to bend further over after being teated badly by Obama supporters and the party leaders alike.

I give up. I entirely give up. I'm done. You've lost me.

[Gunfighter]

Bye.

[Kristin]

Jozet,

Well, not bye from me...I know that it sucks right now -- there was a very bitter Senate primary in Oregon and the candidate who I adored so deeply lost. He was a 4'9'' man and I endured comments that included "midget lover" in my support of him.

But the virulence against him had nothing to do with the over-all vision that I have for my state. His opponent is not my top choice, but he suits my vision so much better than the Republican Gordon Smith.

It's about the war in Iraq. It's about the fact that the very future of the planet is at stake. It's about health care. It's about education and ending No Child Left Behind. It's about the Supreme Court and our freedom of choice.

Virulence is an unfortunate reality in politics and feelings get hurt -- very, very hurt.

In the end, it's not about whether we like the opponent's supporters all that much or even at all. It's about our own vision and our own hope for the future.

Hillary Clinton stands for health care, abortion rights, a better environment, and a better education for our children. Obama stands for these things as well. McCain promises a continuing war, right-wing members of the Supreme Court, a further destroyed environment, and so on...

In the end, it's about the kind of world we all want.

[Stefania/CityMama]

Gunfighter (and Mrs. Gunfighter, HI!) I would have voted for her, too. I really and truly would have--I would have eventually supported whoever was the democratic nominee. Which is why I just don't get all the talk about HRC supporters not doing the same.

And yes, HRC and BHO? Not all that different in terms of policy. But miles apart from McCain.

Jozet, not bye from me either, though I find your arguments puzzling. I know you feel slighted by Obama supporters and I am sorry for that, but there is no way McCain is going to win in Nov. No way at all.

[Debbie]

I'm mad at Hillary. I'm glad Obama won.

I would've voted for Hillary with a GIGANTIC clothes-pin stuck onto my shnoz, if I'd had to.

and anyone who was made to feel bad about their choice for the nominee, Jozet, Joanne, Sarah, anyone, everyone? I am so sorry. that is teh SUCK, and it's wrong, and it makes me so mad that those people have personally punished you for their dislike of a candidate. lame. lame x 1000.

my feelings for Hillary? I believe they're merited. my feelings for you who were rooting for her? completely separate from my feelings for Hillary.

and Gunfighter, dude, don't you dare diss my girl Jozet. I will not stand for that. I like you, man, but Jozet, and Joanne, and Sarah, and anyone else who wishes to come into the MOMocrats tent and hang about and express their opinion will NOT be slandered by anyone else hanging about in the tent. I don't like their nominee, but they're entitled to like her. they are.

that's what this country's all about, right?

Cyn, what was that you were saying about the lump of coal? I think mine just melted. Hillary people, get your asses into our club. We love you. We want you. You're welcome here.

This is the damn Democratic party, innit? *Everyone* is welcome here.

Even people who like McCain. (just don't expect us to praise your choice.)

[Amy in Ohio]

Your decision making defines your feminism. Feminism is the right to make choices on our terms. I share your disappointment over her speech. But nothing can bring me down from the cloud Im on.

Barack Obama, the forty-third President of the United States. Its like a really great buzz.

[Amy in Ohio]

OH crap, hell be the 44th, wont he. See, I try to block the last eight years as much as possible.

[PunditMom]

Not to defend her remarks, but Obama isnt looking out for number on, too? Damn straight, he is. Hes just better at putting a different face on it.

[Stefania/CityMama]

Joanne, he may be looking out for number one but throughout his campaign it was not about him--it was about us. 75,000 people at a rally in Portland. That says it all. Hillary Clinton was about who liked her better, her voters, her entitlement. HUGE, HUGE differences there. The sad part is, the way she handled herself these last 48 hrs pretty much ruined her chances of ever being elected president--but her behavior wasn't a surprise to me. She's divisive to the end, but now that she has finally come to her senses, let the unity--the REAL unity begin.

[jaelithe]

Jozet, please do remember that there are a variety of opinions among the writers on this site, and we welcome a variety of opinions from our readers as well. If you read regularly then you KNOW that we have Clinton supporters who write here, and you KNOW that we have had many positive posts about Clinton alongside the posts that are critical of her. We strive for variety, for an open discussion. But we will NOT censor ourselves. It upsets me that you seem to prefer CityMama had chosen not to express her honest opinion of the current situation.

How on earth can we come together as a party if Democrats are not even willing to listen to one another?

I don't appreciate you saying we want McCain for president. I think we've made it quite obvious that none of us do. I understand that you're frustrated about the outcome of the primary (and I MEAN that-- I am not trying to be patronizing). But shouting wild accusations is not going to get us anywhere.

[cynematic]

P.S. My lump of coal with Clinton's name on it dwindled when she announced she'd be formally conceding at the end of this week. Relief.

The reason I'd like to be rid of this coal? It's an energy-suck (and has been for too long), it's boring me, and it's not helping anyone or anything.

Now about that platform, the VP, and cabinet...

[John J.]

Jozet, what is it that you want Obama to say? What words can he say that Clinton's core supporters will listen to after she has said this election was stolen from her?

Obama has been completely polite to her, although he has disagreed with her firmly on a handful of policy decisions. I can't say the same thing for all of Obama's fervent supporters, but they too have had to face harsh attacks - not only from Clinton's fervent supporters, but also from the Clinton campaign itself. Harsh words have been said on both sides and both sides need to forgive each other.

We Obama supporters (at least the sane majority of us) want to unify the party, but we can't do that alone. Obama is an orator par excellence, but words can't affect those unwilling to listen. This is why Clinton is necessary to unify the party. This is why Clinton's supporters must join us if we want success in November.

[Sara]

I honestly can't understand someone who so wholeheartedly supported HRC voting for McCain. I really can't. Because a vote for McCain is a vote against almost everything that she stood for, and continues to stand for.

There are deep wounds that need to be healed. Deep injuries were inflicted on *both* sides and by *both* sides. But they are *nothing* compared to the injury it will do to this country if McCain becomes president. We need to come together as a party and see that. We all need to be able to shake hands and apologize, and then get about the business of winning in November.

[QueenofSpain Erin]

I know I am late on this one. But honestly it's been very, very emotional for me. I'm with Stefania on this-I really don't understand the 'why can't you see what HRC has done for your daughter' rhetoric.

Maybe soon. Maybe I will blog it too. Or just this horrible nagging disappointment I have right now for how this entire thing has gone down.

Bleh.