I'm Voting for Hillary Clinton Because She is a Woman

"I'm voting for Hillary Clinton because she is the first woman to run for president." This quote comes from the other side of a recent conversation I had. It got me thinking two things. Those who don't know their country's history are easily manipulated and some people shouldn't be allowed to vote. I'm not 100% serious about the latter, but the former is becoming increasingly obvious. The media coverage of the Clinton campaign leads some to believe that this is a uniquely, pivotal election in U.S. history.

The expression "all politics are local" takes on a new meaning when one considers the myopic view some voters have. "All politics are current" may be more accurate. Those who vote in the here and now, detached from history and the history of their party, can be swayed to believe anything. The case in point, many people truly think Hillary Clinton is the first woman to run for president.

Nothing is further from the truth. Hillary Clinton isn't even the first woman who has a realistic shot at the oval office. There have been several main-party female candidates in U.S. history. There were even more fringe-party candidates. Some were historic firsts. Others were completely ignored. In this regard, the history of female presidential candidates is no different than their male counterparts. Save the minor point that one has yet to be elected.

Who was the first woman nominee?
In 1872 and again in 1892, Victoria Woodhull was nominated by the Equal Rights Party. Her running mate in 1872 was Frederick Douglas, famous abolitionist and former slave. Woodhull's nomination marked the first time a woman ran for the highest office in the land. Keep in mind, women did not have the right to vote in 1872. A white woman and a black man on the same ticket? Is this foreshadowing the 2008 campaign? Could we see a Clinton-Obama ticket this November? It wouldn't be the first time. It would be history repeating.

Woodhull's opponents were Ulysses S. Grant (R) and Horace Greeley (D). There is a pair with substantial name recognition. One a famous war veteran, the other an influential media mogul and founder of the Liberal Republican Party. What? A third-party candidate in the 19th century? You thought Ross Perot was the first, didn't you?

Despite Geeley's cross-over support from the Democrats and Woodhull's historic impact, Grant's incumbency was just too powerful. Grant was elected for a second term. It is speculative that the corruption in his administration secured his image on the fifty dollar bill, but it's appropriate.

The Equal Rights Party continued to nominate female candidates. In 1884 and again in 1888, Belva Lockwood ran for president. Her credentials? She was the first female attorney to argue a case before the Supreme Court.

A brief timeline of female candidates
In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman on a major party's ballot. She ran in the Republican primaries but resigned from the ballot after receiving 27 first-round votes at the Republican convention.

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman on the Democrat's ballots. Just so you don't think it a fluke, she was up against another woman, Patsy Takemoto Mink, in the primaries.

There have been a slew of female candidates. Here is a non-exhaustive list.
* 1960 Whitney H. Slocomb, Greenback Party.
* 1968 Charlene Mitchell Communist Party.
* 1972 Linda J. Osteen Jenhess Socialist Worker's Party.
* 1976 and 1980 Ellen McCormack. McCormack was such a serious hopeful, she debated Jimmy Carter in the 1980 race.
* 1976 Margaret Wright The People's Party.
* 1980 Maureen Smith the Peace and Freedom Party.
* 1984 Sonia Johnson Citizen's Party.
* 1984 Patricia Schroeder. She withdrew from the race before the convention.
* 1988 and 1992 Leonora B. Fulani American New Alliance Party. Fulani was the first black woman on the ballot in all 50 states.
* 1988 Willa Kenoyer the Socialist Party.

Dr. Isabell Masters is a perennial candidate since 1984. Probably the most successful fringe-party candidate. She is the sole member of the Looking Back Party.

And do you remember Elizabeth Dole's bid in 2000? Does the name Geraldine Ferraro, vice-presidential contender, ring a bell?

Gender-based voting, a bad idea
The Clintonian true believers are estimating 25% of Republican women will cast cross-over votes for Senator Clinton. This assumption is based on the theory that a woman will feel an affinity for Clinton simply because of her gender. This is further supported by the theory that "times have changed;" that American's are ready for a female president. In light of a few historic facts, it is evident some American's were ready more than 100 years ago.

Casting your ballot for Clinton based on her gender is no more valid than voting against someone because of their race. Your will not make a historic statement. You will be showing your shallowness of character and your lack of historical knowledge.

This election is politics as usual. Nothing special. Nothing out of the ordinary. Not that electing our president isn't important. It's just that this election is not the first time a woman has run for president. As with all elections, your vote should be measured on the character and beliefs of the candidate. Surly a novel thought for an ideal world, but valid none the less.