Best Man? First Guy?

[Carlene 12]

Is America ready for a woman president? 2008 is the year we find out, but what about Bill? If Hillary Clinton is elected to the White House, what role will her husband play? First Gentleman? First Spouse?

Maybe Bill could take some lessons (or find some sympathy) from Daniel Granholm Mulhern, husband of Michigan's governor, Jennifer Mulhern Granholm.

Speaking at the National Governors Conference, where he was elected chair of the spouses' group, the governor's husband said:

“I have learned how to be a potted plant, and in a weird twist of fate, I get more attention because I’m a guy in a traditional female role.”

The couple cemented their egalitarian union when each took the other’s last name. But until she ran for statewide office, he was the bigger deal, known for his talents as a political organizer and speechwriter while she practiced law in a local county office. Then Granholm was approached to run for attorney general of Michigan. In August 1998, as Mulhern stood listening to his wife deliver her acceptance speech, which he had crafted, he realized their 1-year-old needed a diaper change. He thought he had dealt with his feelings of jealousy at having his wife thrust into the limelight, but as he walked what seemed a quarter mile in the cavernous convention center to find a men’s room that didn’t even have a changing table, he felt a little bitter over how he was experiencing this historic moment in his family’s life. As he kneeled on the tiled bathroom floor changing his son’s diaper, he could hear God say, “Somebody’s going to lead here and somebody is going to hold this family together—and guess which job is yours?”

Now, I love men, but as a woman, I have to ask.......isn't it about time they learned what it feels like?

[faithmd 14]

Speaking as a Michigander, I think our First Gentleman is quite that, a gentleman. And I've found that he handles it quite well. He was just on the radio discussing his new book and made comments similar to those you posted. And that fact that he is still by her side (whether you like her or not) and IS the cement that holds that family together, speaks volumes about the possibilities of men being able to "switch" roles with their wives.

And yes, it's high time this happens!

But I'll skip the experiment on a National level using Bill and Hillary, ok?

Oops, I mean Hillary and Bill...

[Tired_Old_Man 1]

The fact that the question is even asked is proof just how far our country has to go toward removing "gender bias" (or sexism) from its list of traits.

This forum is predominately female, so I see less bias toward gender than most other forums that I have been a regular on. Of the 3 forums that I have the most posts on, one was 99% male, one was split about 50/50 and this one is at least 80% female as far as regular posters are concerned (as was my Lap Band Emotional support group in Brooklyn).

When I worked as an aircraft mechanic at JFK, it also was an over 90% male environment, and I am going to tell you women a little secret; most men, both in the work place and at the 99% forum, claim to believe that White Males are simultaneously the people that made the USA great, are needed to keep the USA great, deserve to be kept in power and are an endanger species (at least as far as power is concerned) because they are under constant attack from the "others" and from within.

"Others" are usually defined as minorities (Blacks & Hispanics) and females. From within is usually defined as (those accursed) "Liberals", who are sometimes referred to as "commie, pinko, godless, traitors who are probably fags".

Let's face it, they are probably right. Wasn't Jesus a "White American Male"?

Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad (and if you are a Mormon, it's 3 out of 3).

[anonemouse 1]

Let's face it, they are probably right. Wasn't Jesus a "White American Male"?

Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad (and if you are a Mormon, it's 3 out of 3).

Wouldn't it be one out of three, since it was what was to become the Middle East?

[Wheetsin 714]

Is America ready for a woman president? 2008 is the year we find out,

If Hillary doesn't get elected, I don't think it means American is not ready for a woman president - I think it means America is not wanting Hillary.

And see - I focus in on "feeling a little bitter". That would make me sad.

[Carlene 12]

If Hillary doesn't get elected, I don't think it means American is not ready for a woman president - I think it means America is not wanting Hillary.

Can you think of a woman that you believe might have a shot at the White House in 2008? Or even the nomination from either party?

Do you think that Obama's chances are poor, and does it have anything to do with race, in your opinion?

Personally, I think it's an uphill battle for either of them, and NOT because of their politics.