A new creature has entered millions of American homes every Tuesday night'the woman president.
ABC's new White House drama 'Commander In Chief' has shone a timely light on the idea many have been discussing since President Bush's approval ratings began to drop: Is the country ready for Hillary?
What may seem like an innocent television show, bantering political speak back and forth'with a little family values thrown in for good measure'may speak more on the readiness of middle America to accept a 'most powerful woman in the world' sooner than previously expected.
As people tune in to watch Geena Davis act as the leader of the free world, can we assume they like what they see?
If 'Commander' has accomplished anything, it is familiarizing the public with a woman in that type of role, helping to visualize a previously-ridiculous notion in hope that maybe, just maybe, it will one day become reality. Where fiction ends, politics begin.
The early stages of the 2008 presidential campaigns are beginning to rear their heads as the country waits to see who will appear on the ballot.
The job of leading the United States deservingly goes to the person who can govern with the best interests of the majority of the people in mind, be tough when necessary, know how to utilize diplomacy and, above all, take the lead.
And Clinton may be the person to do just that; to step up to the plate, refuse to throw in the towel'??and any other macho clich??s that signify ability'and refuse to back down in the face of hard times.
Yale-educated, Hillary has eight years experience in the White House and five years experience in the Senate. Bill Clinton was quoted in the Israeli press as saying that Hillary is more prepared than even he was before becoming president and, in his opinion, would make a better president than he did.
A woman with a progressive social agenda and fairly moderate economic beliefs, Hillary will be able to reach far past the two-sided dichotomy our country has turned into.
Although there has been speculation about her candidacy, no formal plans have yet been laid out. Clinton does, however, exist as one of the most hands-on First Ladies and has accomplished much as a first-term senator. Working to expand access to preventative health care services that reduce unintended pregnancy and to provide for judicial review of detention of enemy combatants are among her achievements.
But is the U.S. ready for a woman or, more importantly, will they go out and vote for one?
The only woman columnist in The New York Times, Maureen Dowd, said men do not like being bossed around by women in the traditionally male-dominated world of politics; they feel castrated, nagged at and even bullied. The modern woman, however, has evolved from the stereotypical '50s housewife.
It is time for the United States, a leader in many other progressive movements, to follow the example of such countries as Britain and Germany and elect a woman to head of government.
Fathers always encourage their daughters to be anything they set their minds to. The first woman president, anyone?
