Who will be the First WOMAN President?

[liberalpragmatist]

Admittedly, it might be Hillary Clinton. But given the strength of Barack Obama and John Edwards, I'm thinking we may instead get one of them. I'm split between them for the time-being and I think Obama is the more likely of the two to win the nomination.

Either way, that leaves the slot of a woman president open.

The three most likely ones I would guess would be these (in no particular order)...

1) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS): She could very well wind up on the ticket as the running mate of Obama, Edwards, or Bill Richardson. That could set her up for a run for the presidency in 2016 should a Democrat be elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012. She might be a little old in '16 (68), but still a possibility.

2) Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D): I admit I don't know too much about her, except that she's seen as a big up-and-comer in the Illinois Democratic Party. She's likely to be either (a) Obama's replacement in the Senate should he win the presidency, or (b) governor of Illinois in 2010. Could Illinois have back-to-back presidencies: Barack Obama (2009-2017), Lisa Madigan (2017-2025)?

3) Rep. Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY): Ousted Rep. John Sweeney in a Republican district this year. If she can hold on to her seat, she could go places, although if Spitzer stays in the governor's mansion for awhile, she may not have a great opening for statewide office, what with Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer likely holding on to their Senate seats for years. But if Spitzer retires in 2014, could Gilibrand be Governor, then President in 2020 or 2024?

What about on the Republican side? The only real possibilities I can think of (given that most Republican women politicians are pro-life) are Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska (perhaps as Vice President then President) and maybe former Rep. Melissa Bean of Pennsylvania, should she make a comeback in some form? Perhaps former Rep. Anne Northup of Kentucky, defeated last year but now challenging the Republican governor in the primary? If she wins the Kentucky governorship, she could be a possibility in 8 years, although generally small-state governors don't get the GOP nomination, which goes to big-state governors that are cozy with the GOP establishment.

Any other suggestions? Who do you think it'll be?

[terrya]

1. My thinking has changed.

I used to think that Hillary Rodham Clinton would never be President.

But...and this is just me...I think she'll win the nomination. And she'll be elected in November.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. I agree

She's not my first choice, but I just have a feeling she's gonna do it.

I also think she'll make a fine candidate and a fine president.

[terrya]

6. I think McCain will win the Republican nomination.

And given a choice between McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton, she'll win.

I think she will make a fine President, also.

[liberaldemocrat7]

32. A woman President has already gotten elected: Ayn Rand.

From Herbert Hoover to George W Bush, it appears that each of the spawn of the Republican party also appears a spawn of Ayn Rand. Her influence has run rampant in that party since Hoover.

[Katherine Brengle]

20. Her little "Hillcast" swayed me a bit...

I've still got Obamania right now lol, but I think she's made a tough but smart decision on how to handle the war and her '02 vote and I commend her for sticking to a pretty good plan so far.

[Maven]

30. I just watched it, and I have to agree on that small point

At least it finally seems like she's being straightforward about something.

It seems like she might benefit from a speech coach. There are certain places where she should be pausing or placing emphasis, and instead she's just reading through. It's where Bill REALLY excelled as a speaker, in getting across that "I feel your pain" message. But, all in all, I have to say she's coming off pretty well.

[rurallib]

2. Sen. Jenna Bush (R - Texas)

Vowing to finish what her Daddy started Jenna is running as a tough as nails bitch who can go toe to toe with any man.

[Olney Blue]

5. Her platform: Wanted Osama:Dead or Alive

[Bucky]

28. Only if they make Paraguay the 51st state

Don't think they're not trying.

[GreenEyedLefty]

4. I wish Jennifer Granholm could run

She's the Governor of MI but alas, a native of Canada. She'd be phenomenal.

[BattyDem]

7. If we're lucky ...

it will be Nancy Pelosi and it will be very soon! :evilgrin:

[FogerRox]

18. I smell what you are cookin there, yup.

[johncoby2]

8. Guillani

[terrya]

10. Oh...the picture of Guilani in drag.

Oh, ha-ha. :eyes:

[MariaS]

9. I would love to see

someone with the courage and convictions of Amy Goodman but alas not in my life time. Other than that any woman who isn't a career politician would be fine with me. Personally I'm tired of men screwing up the world.

[MonkeyFunk]

12. with all due respect

I have to ask why.

I see so many people proposing people they admire or like to be President, regardless of that person's background, interest, or ability in politics.

I admire Amy Goodman - as a journalist. Why do you think her talents would transfer smoothly to the Oval Office?

Again, I'm not being dismissive - I'm just curious why so many people want actors, journalists, whatever, to be President.

[MariaS]

14. I wasn't saying

that I wanted Amy to run for president just someone who has her courage and conviction. Amy would not last long in Politics she is too brave. Washington would eat her alive.

[Demo_Cracker]

11. Elesha Gayman

http://www.eleshagayman.com/

[MoseyWalker]

13. the one who says the loudest

"why didn't you take out the trash today you useless bungo?"

Okay, so I'm kidding.

I think Hillary would do a great job.

[k_jerome]

15. HRC. nt.

[kansasblue]

16. No Pelosi? She's tops on my list.

[cascadiance]

17. I'd like to see Barbara Boxer, but I'm also hoping Pelosi will "WIN" in 2007 too! :)

... and as helderheld says on her Cafepress.com T-Shirts "Whether She Wants It or Not!"

Perhaps if you don't want to consider Pelosi, you should qualify the first "elected" woman president!

[illinoisprogressive]

PELOSI!!!!!

[Gman]

19. If not Hillary

then she hasn't been born yet.

[Katherine Brengle]

21. I tend to agree --

or at least she isn't old enough that we know about her yet.

Hillary Clinton is unlike any other woman I've ever seen in politics in this country. She has enough good ideas, she has a commanding presence, she seems to have no fear...

She walks and talks like a leader.

There are other women on the scene with great ideas and strength, but they don't have that... spark.

Most of the men don't either, there's just a bigger pool to choose from.

[unblock]

22. the first woman president will be a republic.

just as thatcher, the u.k.'s first woman prime minister, was a conservative. it comes down to numbers. a woman and/or minority democrat would engender MASSIVE opposition from the rw who can easily unite convervatives and bigots and pull a lot of "swing voters" to their side. on the democratic side, they don't really win anyone who's not already on their side. so it's an uphill battle for a woman and/or minority as a democrat. not impossible, but not at all easy.

but as a conservative, the right-wing bigots can hold their noses and vote for the tax cut or whatever, so they don't really lose much by running a woman and/or minority, but the independents and the democrats are torn, because they don't want to oppose a woman and/or minority. some independents and even lefties might hold their noses and vote for the conservative in order to get the woman and/or minority.

obviously anything can happen, and hillary's certainly a strong candidate with a formidable background and machine. and obama is just such a natural. he has that almost bill clintonesque aura of simply having been born to be president.

just the same, if the republics could find a thatcher type, i'd be very worried.

[Blue_In_AK]

23. I'm intrigued that you mention Sarah Palin.

I haven't heard that she's in any way interested in national office, but so far, at least, everybody here seems to be pretty happy with her as governor. She wasn't my choice, of course, but she does seem to be quite likable and down to earth and seems to be making a sincere effort to reverse a lot of Frank Murkowski's unpopular positions. For a Republican, she doesn't seem to be half bad.

Incidentally, Governor Palin is pro-life, but she doesn't seem to be pushing it. I think she's working on consensus up here and trying to minimize some of the more divisive issues.

[skipos]

24. Check out my avatar.

Sebelius was on Kerry's VP list in 2004. I think she will be on a lot of lists in 2008.

[riverwalker]

25. Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator Minnesota. Just elected and just beginning a very bright future. She's gonna be a bright star in the future. ;)

[election_2004]

26. Kathleen Sebelius, Blanche Lincoln, Claire McCaskill

In that order. Maybe Debbie Stabenow.

[Bucky]

27. Almost 30 replies and no one has mentioned Oprah yet!

Folks, Ms Winfrey was born to be president.

[Jack Rabbit]

29. Nancy Pelosi -- by Christmas

[Maven]

31. One more vote for Clare McCaskill

She'd be a formidable candidate. But I like your suggestions as well.

I just hope it's someone within the next two or three elections. I can't even believe it's 2007 and we still haven't had a female head of state.

[marions ghost]

33. the first woman president

... this talk is just a lot of feel good hype from the media IMO. I'm suspicious of it.

However because of the radical failures and crimes of the current regime, Hillary has a much better chance than she would have otherwise. The country would probably accept a woman as VP, but still have a hard time with a woman as chief exec, at least right now with "the war" going on. Maybe there will be better opportunities for a woman president after the ship of state has been rescued. I just don't think the average American would trust a woman with the job right now. America is still very neanderthal in so many ways and so swayed by image. The first woman who gets it will have to be exactly like a man--prove she thinks like a man, acts like a man, is as aggressive as a man. The expectation that woman always be sweet and cute is fading, but the image of a strong and forceful woman is still not widely accepted. Even in high level jobs it's still very difficult.

Given a choice in an ideal world of gender equality, I'd choose Pelosi over Clinton, but I'm sure either are capable of doing the job.