Do you think Hillary's gender gap will narrow or grow down the road?

[RiverStone]

Much has been written about HRC's gender gap in polling; most recently here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/20/us/politics/20poll.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

I'm not a Hillary supporter, though would vote for her if she end's up being our party's nominee. I do wonder, as the field narrows and the American public is left with more direct contrasts between candidates, will Hillary's gender gap grow or shrink?

I'm rooting for Obama (second to an Al Gore miracle) because of what he has to offer our country; my support of him has nothing to do with Hillary being a woman. As a father to a 17 year old daughter, I'm thrilled to see strong woman like Hillary as role models! I'd vote for a woman President in a heartbeat - if she best represented my values. Yet having grown up in the deep south where 'good ol boy' culture still dominates --- her gender alone will hurt her there big time, particularly among independents and even moderate democrats.

That sexism will do one of two things, it will either elevate another DEM (like Obama or Edwards) as we get closer to 08, or it will elevate a rethug good ol boy (see Fred Thompson). I wish we lived in a gender-blind culture when it comes to who we elect; maybe someday, though not yet. Can Shrub's bottom of the barrel approval ratings cause some otherwise sexist rethugs or independents to overcome that sexism and vote for Hillary anyway? I'm not sure....

It just seems that the rethugs are resting their ONLY hope of a Presidential victory in 08 on our country's penchant to be sexist.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

1. Will those good

ol' Southern boys vote for Obama ???

[William769]

5. Thats what I was going to ask.

You know the ones that still sing "Old Folks Home" with pride.

[juajen]

11. What song is this, William? Are you thinking of "Old Kentucky Home" by chance.

Perhaps I'm confused. Elucidate, please.

[William769]

12. Check out the following links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Folks_at_Home


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1408582

[SoCalDem]

2. I think that Hillary & Obama will/could be the impetus for

a rally within the now-disinterested republican ranks.

Right now they are wandering and have no candidate, but remember... these folks vote AGAINST...more than they vote FOR a candidate of their own.

That's why all the bloody-shirt issues have to be used again and again.

Before Clinton ran against Poppy, probably 99% of republicans did not even know who she was..and those who did know..did not give a hoot.

Her demonization was calculated to stop her in her tracks, should she aim higher later on.

and the racist right wingers will never vote for Obama, but if he's the candidate, they will go to the polls to vote against him..

[mod mom]

3. She has name recognition but I believe as more folks become aware of per trade

policies (as in Free Trade which is DESTROYING the middle class by out sourcing well paying jobs) and her ties to corporations the shift will be away from her.

I think it's time for a populist candidate and I too am hoping Al Gore enters the race. If not, I will support any Dem candidate OUTSIDE of the DLC.

[aquart]

7. Or...?

Thank you for fifty years of a fascist Supreme Court. Do you list it as number one on your agenda?

[mod mom]

10. I don't understand your question.

If you are asking me what is my # 1 issue it's fair and verifiable elections. I then see the issue of corporatism (which helped give us this immoral war, despicable healthcare system, destruction of families, etc)

[illinoisprogressive]

4. i think it will stay about the same. but, as a woman, i am not a fan of hers at all.

[aquart]

6. Thank you for your concern.

I'm sure it's heartfelt.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Four GOOP Gaps...

1.) The Gender Gap. When boooshie started sending sons and husbands off to a war for profit, when the repugnicans stood up more for a brain dead woman than for living, working class moms and when getting basic health care gets harder and harder, the GOOP have lost women in droves.

2.) The Generation Gap. Call it Generation Gap Redux as the 18-34 year olds have repudiated not just boooshie but the Repugnican lies. They see the greed and bloodlust for what it is and know where the blame belongs. They see the College Repugnicans and Chickenhawks and those who manipulate them. Just like how the Repugnicans lost my generation with Nixon, this one has been lost by boooshie.

3.) The Ethnic Gap. Thanks to riling up racism and xenophobia within his own hive, the Repugnicans now have demonized Hispanics like they have with the blacks. Look for this voting bloc to go 80% or more for Democrats in '08...i even see Democrats making big strides among the Cubans in Florida.

4.) The Credibility Gap...a widening gap between the positions of most Repugnican and reality. It's taken some this long to "realize" how bad things are going in Iraq. The more they enable this regime by filibustering any accountability, the more they widen this gap that will doom them in next year's elections.

Democrats can only beat themselves next year...the time has never been riper to build a party of positive change and growth.

[rucky]

9. Couldn't you say the same thing about race & Obama?

i really don't know how the polling breaks down for either candidate, but if you're going to go down that road, we can't ignore the obvious.