The Los Angeles Times recently featured a story about democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. The news wasn’t about her latest stop on the campaign trail, a discussion of her issues, or even another awkward appearance that she had made. Instead, the LA Times addressed Mrs. Clinton’s obvious difference from her opponents; she is a woman and what that means for her campaign.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Is Hillary really playing the gender card?
The article titled, “
The women’s vote is quite valuable. The article mentions, “in 2006, women accounted for 51% of votes cast, women represent as much as 60% of registered voters in early Democratic primary and caucus states” (Braun 1). The article also mentions other women’s groups that are aligning themselves with other candidates. In reality, all candidates go after the women’s vote. So how is
If you take a look at Hillary Clinton’s official website, the main page prominently displays what she calls a “Featured Action.” This featured action happens to be “Women for Hillary.” Is this what they mean by playing the gender card? Or perhaps it is the cute terms
In your opinion, do you think Hillary is really playing the gender card?
If you think Hillary is playing the gender card, do you think that it could hurt her chances with men as well as women? Do you think all the support from feminist groups is justified just because she is the only female candidate?
Related Article :
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-hillary7apr07,0,3339210,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Hillary Clinton’s official website :
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/
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6 comments:
I do think that Hillary is using the gender card because she knows that getting those feminist votes can really help her chances. If nothing else, Hillary is an intelligent woman and an extremely smart politican. She realizes what can help her and does she needs to do in any certain situation if it will give her an edge. She realizes that she can get a lot of votes from these feminist groups and other female voters so she is going to ride if for as long as it allows. It is no different than any other candidate who appeals to a specific group that they are apart of it, especially one that can make a heavy impact.
However, I do think it is important that Hillary not put all her eggs in the gender basket because it can get dangerous. First of all, she has been criticized for using her status as a female as a double standard. Not too long ago, she was "standing by her man," and anytime she comes under any type of political attack or scruitny, she always pulls the gender card and seems to play the innocent woman.
It is also important not to get too deep in the femisinst thinking and ignore all the issues of men, because that will turn off all voters other than the feminsits.
Playing the gender card is smart because I do think it will help Hillary, she just can't rely too heavily on it, because that alone will not get her the votes that she needs. She is in an awkward position because if she softens her image and becomes the "woman" she is going to come across as soft or weak. However, she is also heavily critized for haveing to much of a stuffy and rigid demeanor. If she is too aggressive or powerful, that is going to turn off a lot of voters. Hillary is no stranger to media criticism, she just needs to focus on remaining consistent and not try too hard to play any one card because it won't get her the votes she needs to get elected.
Hillary is definitely playing the gender card, but why not? It's certainly going to gain her a lot of support and fund raising, and it's a really smart political move. Why not get backing where it comes so easily?
I do not think it will seriously hurt her; like the previous post it is important she doesn't bank on just women voting for her. However, I do think she's very intelligent and isn't just depending on females to get her elected--it is just a big support group.I personally think her "cute terms" on her website are clever and catchy and I do believe that "Women for Hillary" is catchy and a good tactic.
Her support is justified, like I said before, why not? It's smart to appeal to a wide array of audiences and if she wants to focus slightly more on women, it's probably a good idea. And as far as her men voters go, I dont think they'll be deterred from voting for her if they really support her just because she's rallying woman support--it's clearly just a smart tactic.
Hillary is a woman and she would be silly not to use that as part of her strategy for the Presidential seat in 2008. As long as she plays her cards right, she will not be a turn off to male voters. Its all about how you pitch you issues and concerns. Is the message that she is getting out their clear and can men relate to where she stands?
As far as the gender card goes, she in my opinion is not relying on it. People may think she is but Hillary is not going to be opposed to female supporters. In regards to your comments about Hillary's website, "“Hillraisers” for fundraising, “Hillcasts” short videos featured on her site, or “Hillgrams” the emails she sends to her supporters", I think it her cute way of thinking supporters and its part of her campaign strategy. I think those that don't want a woman in office will claim she is playing the gender card.
I think that Hillary is taking advantage of the fact that she is the only woman in this entire presidential election, but I don't think that is a bad thing nor do I think that most women are going to vote for her simply because she is a woman. I know many women who do not even support her, so for those who will vote for her, it will probably be mainly based on her policies. I think every candidate has something unique to offer and they are going to take that one part of who they are and they are going to use it. Obama will probably get many black votes because of his ethnic background and Edwards will probably get quite a few votes because of his wife's illness. I do not think she is using the fact that she is a woman in any irrational ways, I think she has used it tastefully and should continue to play up the fact that she is the only woman running for president, and an intelligent woman at that.
I do think that Hillary is using the gender card to help her in the election. It would be silly for her not too though because if it is going to garnish you funds as well as a larger voting population not doing so would be crazy. I agree that she cant rely on it too heavily because that would make her look like she is just too feminine because she is a hardnosed politician that can fight with the men as she has shown in her tenure in congress.
I dont htink that the feminist groups should justify their votes for hillary because she is a woman though. I do understand that as a feminist alot of the members of that organization are voting just based on her gender. This leads to uninformed votes though because they arent closly analyzing the candidates. They wont be able to agree on who is the best for the position because of their biasis.
Of course Hillary is playing the gender card, she is the only female candidate. With women accounting for such a large percentage of voters and Hillary potentially being the first female president in the history of the United States, not playing that card would be stupid. However, as others have mentioned it is important not to only focus on this, and place less importance on other issues/voter bases. In regards to losing male votes because of her focus on other issues, yes this is possible, but really depends on what color the state is. I believe male voters in liberal states would (as previously mentioned) support Hillary so long as she doesnt only focus on women's issues. Unfortunately, I think this will not happen as much in swing states, and hillary being a women could be a deciding factor for them (males) not to vote for her. I would however be interested to see how Hillary does in conservative states(and swing states)in regards to female voters. Will women vote for a man who represents their "religious/moral values" or a woman who represents a new step for gender equality?
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