Article Summary: Race for the Democratic Nominee
Maureen Dowd discusses the 2008 race for the Democratic nominee in terms of race and gender. For the first time in the history of the United States, the Democratic Party--any party for that matter--is choosing between a woman and an African-American on the ballot. The contest can reveal a lot about America's national character, notes Dowd. One of the lessons learned from the race might be how ingrained both sexism and racism are in the national consciousness, and which of the two beasts will be easier to overcome. American voters seem to be torn along the thorny issues of race and gender in the current Democratic race for the 2008 nominee. Yet Dowd claims in an opinion piece for The New York Times entitled "A Flawed Feminist Test" that the Democratic nominee will be chosen more for character and integrity than on either race or gender. Dowd claims that Hillary Clinton faces a tough battle between appearing stereotypically feminine and surviving in what can only be rightfull
Hillary Clinton also capitalizes on her name, just as she has learned to capitalize on her gender. It's not so much her cackling laugh or her rough-shod demeanor. Ultimately, Dowd shows how Hilary's possible failure would be due not to the fact that she is female but to the fact that she is Hillary Clinton. Allowing Bill to be so vocal and out front during the campaign is hurting Hillary, notes Dowd. Because of her gender and Hillary Clinton faces innumerable obstacles to success that are not experienced by Barak Obama. In fact, basing a candidate's ability to lead the country as Commander-in Chief on either race or gender would be a shallow decision indeed. It isn't that American voters are put off by the idea of a Madame President. For example, Hillary accuses her critics of sexism or of projecting their beliefs about women onto her campaign. However, Dowd states that Hillary is "not the best test case for women," largely because of her entanglement in the Clinton dynasty and the political fiascos that go with it (p. As a strong, assertive woman, Hillary Clinton is labeled with unseemly monikers such as "white bitch. Allowing Bill to participate in her campaign has signaled that she cannot do it on her own: one of the least feminist messages she could be sending to voters. Moreover, Dowd notes that no matter what Hillary does on her own, she can never escape from the legacy that is her last name.
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