Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this weekend that she won’t run for President again.
Now, I know that even unequivocal statements can always be changed, but if Hillary means what she says, then who is our best hope for another woman to run for President in our lifetimes? Sure, Sarah Palin is out there trying to build up her public relations image, but I can’t help wondering if there are other women who have the dynamic combination of experience, drive and ego – you can’t say you want to become the leader of the free world without a healthy portion of ego – to take on the challenge.
Things are always in a state of flux in the world of politics, so no matter what she says today, even if it sounds like Hillary has made up her mind, it isn’t written in stone (or in that glass ceiling with the 18 million cracks). But if, as she says, she’s looking forward to retiring someday and she doesn’t have a Clintons-take-back-the-White-House plan, then who can I, as a politically progressive woman, look forward to taking on the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue boys club before I’m in the rocker at the old folks home gumming my oatmeal?
One of my favorites, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm isn’t eligible since she was born in Canada. I’ve often thought that Katheleen Sebelius might be a good contender — before becoming Secretary of Health & Human Services, she was a blue governor in the very red state of Kansas. But I’m not sure how her current stint in the Obama administration will impact a potential White House bid.
Sure there are some women Senators and Congresswomen who could run, but to make a full-fledged attempt at the big prize, you need more than qualifications — over-the-top ambition is a serious prerequisite. I’m having a hard time imagining another woman on the political scene these days who has that unbridled desire.
In a way, I hope Hillary will change her mind. I’ll be really bummed if we don’t have a woman President before PunditGirl starts thinking about giving me grandchildren! Even if Hillary doesn’t run until 2016, it could still work. After all, 69 is the new 49!
October 12th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
After watching her during the last election, I’m cheering for Chelsea Clinton 2016.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I LOVE that idea! Wonder what Chelsea would think?
October 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’m sorry to hear that but I have reservations about 69 as a good age to tackle one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally wearing jobs in the world anyway.
Who? Very good question and excellent point about ambition. The gauntlet to POTUS is an extreme example of its necessity.
But the world is changing rather rapidly right now. 2016 is a long way off, and Obama is not going to be a given for the 2012 nomination if the change he talks about doesn’t start to become reality in the next year. If the world dumps the dollar as its reserve currency or the war goes even farther south or the economy isn’t really rebounding at all, things are going to shake up in a hurry on the U.S. political stage.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Hard to see the future. I had a lump in my throat when I watched Hillary say, “This isn’t the party I’d hoped for.” My Hillary ‘08 clutch purse is a keepsake not just for the historic value, but because I admire her so much.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Sarah Palin? I wouldn’t vote for her even if she did run. Just having a woman president isn’t nearly as important to me as having a competent president whose ideas and policy positions I support. I wouldn’t vote for Michael Steele for president just to have an African American. I voted for Obama because I supported the issues that he supported. This is bigger than what woman can make a credible run for president, but which one that could get the kind of broad support that such a run would take. It’s going to take more than just wearing a skirt and winking at the debate (Sarah Palin).
October 13th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Good question, and I’d be supporting Chelsea should she choose to put herself through such a thing.
I’d put our Atty General Martha Coakley up as a possible contender. She is a candidate for Ted Kennedy’s seat and if she gets it she will probably make a name for herself.
Personally, I’d like to see more of Rep Marcy Kaptur of Ohio. I don’t think she has such aspirations, but I wish she would become a more visable voice in the Democratic Party.