2008 US Presidential Elections

[sp1814]

Question - what are the chances of a Condy Rice (Republican) standing against Hilary Clinton (Democat), thereby guaranteeing the first female president?

Stu in USA might have the best handle on the way Condy is perceived over there...are there any chances of her running?

Is America ready for a female Prez?

[netibiza]

Well, either of them can't make a worse c*ck-up of it than Bush, can they??

[suffragette]

I have a lot of respect for Condoleeza Rice, but doubt the conservative, Republican party is ready to nominate a black woman as their candidate for president.

I think it would be inadvisable to underplay the considerable racial tensions that still lie beneath the surface in modern America, away from the more equitable society portrayed in American TV and film.

Sadly, there is only one black senator (out of 50) and 42( I think) black representatives in the much larger House of Representatives.

Personally, I think the Democrats will bottle it and not risk nominating Hilary Clinton. She may be extremely popular with Democrats, but she may alienate too many Republicans to be deemed a viable candidate. However, I hope I'm wrong about both of these strong, female role models..

[Loosehead]

There is no way either party will nominate a woman. The US public will never elect a woman as president and the main parties know it.

[sp1814]

I suppose my view of America is largely influenced by the progressive televisions shows we get over here...we don't see much of 'middle America', the conservative heartland.

I think it would be fantastic for Hilary and Condoleeza (thanks for the spelling suffragette, by the way - I wimped out by calling her Condy) to run against each other, but perhaps rigth now, it's pie in the sky.

[ummmm1]

I think they should bring back spitting image. It gives us a better understanding of politics!

[ummmm1]

George W Bush would make a great puppet!

[LazyGun]

ummmm, I wonder how many volunteers you would get to stick their hand up his backside? :)

[ummmm1]

Point taken....but I remember when I was a kid I loved spitting image. Ronald Reagen dribbling and spitting and his brain falling out. It's a comical way to introduce kids to politics and let them know what the adult world really think of the people ruling this world.

[jump79]

It would be great to see a female president in America but I don't think it's going to happen, American politics is way too sexist despite all their big ideas on liberty and equality that they like to show off to the rest of the world.

[Clanad]

... However, In 2006, 81 women serve in the U.S. Congress. Fourteen women serve in the Senate, and 67 women serve in the House. The number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 79, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is at 22.8 percent. Of the 81 women serving in the 109th US Congress, 20, or 24.7%, are women of color; in addition, an African American woman and a Caribbean American woman serve as Delegates to the House from Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands, respectively. Additionally, of the 1,686 women state legislators serving nationwide, 331 or 19.6% are women of color. They include 86 senators and 245 representatives.

So it seems the possibility of a woman President may be achievable. Although Hillary (2 "l"'s please) enjoys a fair amount of respect for her wrok as a Senator from New York... all polls indicate a substantial dislike for her. This, in my opinion, is based on her person and track record while her husband was President, than any overwhelming animosity because she is a woman. Ms. Rice would be san extremely attractive candidate (no pun intended), garnering the African American vote for the first time for Republicans, but she already has said she's not interested... which could be her engaging in the dance all politicians do...

[kwicky]

There is some advantages to the new setup. What with Margaret Beckett being the UK's foreign secretary and with all these women in charge there would be no more wars as they would spend most of the time gossiping.

[sp1814]

kwicky

It's been nice knowing you...

...where should we send flowers?

[Stu in USA]

Just got up(8 hours behind GMT) and saw my name in a question. So here's my take. Firstly this country has just elected its first ever female House Speaker, the most important position after President and very different to the Speaker of the House in UK. Secondly its the electorate who decide the parties candidate for President in the primaries. Assuming Condi decides to run, she'll certainly be front runner with McCain and half the electorate are women, so why not? Also I think she'll be an excellent choice for Republicans, who usually get less support amongst women and African Americans. So yes it is possible for the next Presidential election to be Condy vs Hillary and a strong possibility of a female President in the next 10 years. Finally there's no Spitting Image, but we do have John Stewart's comical take on politics, see many clips on Youtube.

[Clanad]

Except, Stu, the Speaker of the House (Third in line for the Presidency if the President and Vice-President die, by the way) isn't elected... he or she is appointed by virtue of seniority by the majority party. It's not entirely certain that Pelosi will actually be Speaker, although she is certainly acting like it. We'll never know exactly what goes on behind the smoke filled room's doors...

[Stu in USA]

Yes Clannad, but people voted for Democrat Congressional candidates knowing that Pelosi will almost certainly be their leader. Her party won the election, surely she will continue as leader?

[sp1814]

Stu/Clannad

Thank you for you input - it'd be interesting to see what happens in the conservative states if two women candidates were put up.

Either Hillary or Condy would make very interesting presidents, and if Condy got it, it would be a fantastic role model for African Americans...

We'll see.

[Dom Tuk]

neither of them will become US presidents. Condy because she was the spokesperson for an illegal war. that has shattered her credibility.

Hillary (thats one L of a difference clanad) beacuse she was the woamn who was sadly cheated by her husband. If she could not suss her knob of a husband what chance the country.

My prediction is that Chelsea Clinton will be groomed for the top role and in the fullness of time will become the first female US pres.

[NH]

It's difficult...if the Daily Show's coverage of the midterms revealed anything, it's that neither party is willing to commit to...erm, having policies.

I suspect Hillary has more of a chance of becoming a candidate, she got re-elected fairly easily I think, and it would be good for the Democrats to forge some kind of distinct difference from the Republicans. Will it happen? Best I can say is maybe. But I'd put longish odds on it- NH bookmakers say...20/1?

Is America ready? Well they have had 230 years...certainly I think a lot of people shouldn't find it too outrageous. But I'm not American, something to do with geographical location etc.