General Discussion

kentuck

(111,097 posts) Sat Apr 11, 2015, 10:30 AM Apr 2015

Robert Reich -- Hillary "cannot run on being the first woman to be president..." [View all]

"A presidential candidate cannot run on being the first woman to be president, because that is not a platform. It does not tell the nation what she will do to respond to the nation’s needs. It also contradicts the underlying premise that a woman can do the job quite as well as a man and therefore gender should not matter. If gender should not matter, then, logically, a campaign cannot be based on gender. Hillary Clinton must make the case for why she should be president based on where she wants to lead the nation, and why, just as any man running for president must do. And that case must be made starting from the moment she declares her candidacy.

What do you think?"

218 replies

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Highlight:

Robert Reich -- Hillary "cannot run on being the first woman to be president..." [View all] kentuck Apr 2015 OP

Agreed - The HRC Cheerleaders All Seem To Overlook This Obvious Point cantbeserious Apr 2015 #1

What's the obvious point? DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #5

That Being The First Female President Is A Campaign Platform cantbeserious Apr 2015 #15

Can you cite the evidence that suggests... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #18

Seen Often At DU And In the Press - Comments On How HRC Would Be The First Female President cantbeserious Apr 2015 #23

Most folks seem to believe her gender makes it no more or less likely they will support her DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #40

Can Only Speak To The OP - Which I Happen To Agree With - Your Opinions Are Your Own cantbeserious Apr 2015 #50

His premise is flawed...It's a logical fallacy: The straw man. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #55

How does anyone know what positions Clinton does or doesn't hold? tularetom Apr 2015 #95

Charm and charisma are subjective... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #107

all she has going for her? indivisibleman Apr 2015 #122

I bet you a dollar Clinton will have a website tomorrow (Sun 4-12) emulatorloo Apr 2015 #139

Hillary being the first female president is not a platform QuestionAlways Apr 2015 #119

Since you claim to know everything about Hillary.... Smithryee Apr 2015 #170

Another straw man DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #171

Ok so you dismiss my questions Smithryee Apr 2015 #172

Hillary is 45, say it with me, say it with me... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #177

very good argument. I'm gonna use this. n/t indivisibleman Apr 2015 #209

That same poll about the first black president would reveal the same results. zeemike Apr 2015 #204

Papers were awash with "Obama as the First Black President" riversedge Apr 2015 #51

Actually that strategy works against Hillary due to her close relationship w/ countries & foreign leaders who abuse women. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2015 #58

statement she made a few days ago. 2banon Apr 2015 #73

"jaw dropping" the thought of a woman president??? boston bean Apr 2015 #78

No. NOT MY POINT AT ALL. 2banon Apr 2015 #88

Human beings are complicated DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #102

Exactly my point. Which is why I agree completely with Reich's analysis. 2banon Apr 2015 #112

Except being a woman is not at the foundation of her candidacy. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #114

have you seen that news clip yet? 2banon Apr 2015 #174

women are human beings qazplm Apr 2015 #169

In agreement completely, except.. I'd argue that Elizabeth Warren would motivate and inspire more. 2banon Apr 2015 #175

What's jaw-dropping is that this country acts like it would be an avant garde act. Demit Apr 2015 #100

Have we had a woman president, I am unaware of.... boston bean Apr 2015 #103

The first 43 presidents were white males... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #81

It seems you're missing the point.. and you're preaching to the choir. 2banon Apr 2015 #98

The point is ascribing positions to folks they don't hold and then dismissing or ridiculing them... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #120

Coming from the working/poor class, myself.. 2banon Apr 2015 #129

You didn't offend me...We're fine... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #160

I agree with her statement. indivisibleman Apr 2015 #125

Ok. Since intellect, positions on foreign and domestic policies is secondary 2banon Apr 2015 #126

It was obviously an off the cuff remark AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #152

Exactly! n/t indivisibleman Apr 2015 #208

Just because I say it is time for us to indivisibleman Apr 2015 #210

Jaw dropping to imagine a woman President. Wow. n/t pnwmom Apr 2015 #181

she made that statement captured on news feeds. per last night's PBS News Hour 2banon Apr 2015 #80

Put 'first woman president' into the DU search engine. Personally I am with the 83% who want good sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #143

All things being equal... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #154

Really? You would hire a substandard worker, simply because of their gender, ethnicity etc to make sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #158

What part of "all things being equal" don't you understand? DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #161

Okay, you are correct, I did miss that. So ignore my other comment and I apologize. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #162

No problem... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #164

I agree with you. Wrt the police, I would go back to community policing where cops are from the sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #165

In L A they have police sponsor after school athletic activities for kids... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #166

That is a good idea! Getting to know the people they are there to protect. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #178

It doesn't take a PhD in Criminology or Sociology DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #197

Seems like an out of date observation, I don't recall the last time I saw two cops in the same car. TheKentuckian Apr 2015 #214

In L A whenever I see a cop car there is always two cops in it... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #215

Yes! I like your thinking here, she would be a great addition! Thanks... nt haikugal Apr 2015 #203

Um. No. That is a silly comment. Buzz Clik Apr 2015 #33

Cantbeserious, you over look an obvious Point: Hillary is the most qualified person running! lewebley3 Apr 2015 #138

Because she is a woman she needs to make the case as to why she is as good as a man. leftofcool Apr 2015 #2

Because she is a candidate she needs to make the case that she is as good or better than any other djean111 Apr 2015 #10

When did Ms. Clinton say she should be president because she is a woman??NT DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #16

Her supporters are pushing the meme that it would be all swell and historical and shit if she was djean111 Apr 2015 #21

Maybe she should get gender reassignment surgery so she wouldn't face that pesky problem... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #29

It would be swell and historical for Hillary (a democrat) to be the first woman president. boston bean Apr 2015 #30

I have heard her say it. It's out there. nm rhett o rick Apr 2015 #193

Well Said... this may come down to HRC vs Carly Fiorina .. I don't want either. 2banon Apr 2015 #104

I would rather have Warren as the candidate - and I have never read or heard of anyone djean111 Apr 2015 #110

Agree completely, exactly what I said in a different post. 2banon Apr 2015 #134

Did Robert Reich write Obama should deny being black, try to hide it, not boston bean Apr 2015 #3

??? kentuck Apr 2015 #6

First off Hillary has said no such thing... secondly, would Reich have ever written something like boston bean Apr 2015 #12

I think Reich is merely talking about its opinion on the snippet of Hillary's Autumn Apr 2015 #32

OMG, she spoke at Emily's List... saying wouldn't it be nice to have a woman president!! boston bean Apr 2015 #36

You know if Hillary's supporters are going to get upset over Autumn Apr 2015 #39

Who is upset? Me??? boston bean Apr 2015 #42

Whatever. Autumn Apr 2015 #43

Should I read some emotion behind that one word response? boston bean Apr 2015 #44

Not at all it's a one word response I just saw no reason for a sarcastic reply Autumn Apr 2015 #61

Don't worry, I didn't. boston bean Apr 2015 #63

Its hard not to read emotion in a post that used 7 exclamation points in two sentences. arcane1 Apr 2015 #151

That means I'm upset? oookayyy.... boston bean Apr 2015 #156

Emily's List exists to elect female candidate, albeit progressive ones... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #48

Got it, no opinions allowed on what Hillary says Autumn Apr 2015 #57

Is that the inference you drew from what I said ? DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #66

I never draw any inference from anything you say. I only responded to you because Autumn Apr 2015 #77

"... I have never bothered to read anything you have to say...." DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #87

Blacks are a minority who vote Democratic anyway treestar Apr 2015 #62

For someone who matriculated at Oxford... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #13

I'm sure Hillary will have a platform... kentuck Apr 2015 #17

She said becoming a grandmother... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #22

maybe she should have said "grandparent" boston bean Apr 2015 #35

Fair point, but don't think it works quite as well in Hillary's favor. Indeed, that strategy could very well backfire. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2015 #65

I took a "Woman in Politics" course, there are a lot of factors Reich is right about. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #70

Wow, you would think someone like Robert Reich wouldn't be using it as a bludgeon.. boston bean Apr 2015 #74

Regardless of your thoughts, decades of research support Reich's position-Stay away from gender. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #82

She can't hide her gender... She can't stay away from it. boston bean Apr 2015 #83

If she embraces it, she'll lose. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #105

So, because society is a sexist pit hole, she has to run away from the clearly boston bean Apr 2015 #108

Sucks, doesn't it? But they are just some of the parameters/double standards that she is faced with. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #127

Yeah, these hurdles are too high.. she ought not run. boston bean Apr 2015 #205

The Doctor of my Women in Politics class is one of the Top 5 W.I.P. researchers in the country. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #218

that's a very weird question. not your making case very well. 2banon Apr 2015 #135

I think you are misunderstanding. Obama didn't try to sell himself as the first black president. rhett o rick Apr 2015 #195

I am not misunderstanding anything.. but thank you. boston bean Apr 2015 #198

Yep. It's not about gender but ideas and convictions. mmonk Apr 2015 #4

Yes, good point davidpdx Apr 2015 #217

Agreed, there are many issues she's going to have to address Autumn Apr 2015 #7

Not a Hillary fan, but NV Whino Apr 2015 #8

I don't base my vote on gender, sexual preference, wealth, race, ethnicity, or ability to dance. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2015 #9

^^^This^^^ 99Forever Apr 2015 #28

All things being equal I always voted for the black candidate, the female candidate... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #34

So... Then you would have voted for Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, or Herman Cain... cascadiance Apr 2015 #94

You missed "All things being equal..." tazkcmo Apr 2015 #140

I was I guess interpreting what some people having "being equal" meaning they are Democrats... cascadiance Apr 2015 #180

It's a subtext cali Apr 2015 #11

Many pundits believe she is going to use it this time. mmonk Apr 2015 #19

why shouldn't she? but it's hardly her platform. cali Apr 2015 #20

I agree and frankly, could care less. mmonk Apr 2015 #24

One of the criticisms of her 08 campaign was she was running away from her gender by acting tough... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #52

I agree. A person's personality determines that. mmonk Apr 2015 #72

It's going to be very obvious that she would be the MineralMan Apr 2015 #14

Yeah, I agree, and I'm not a Hillary supporter. The fact that she's a woman is just an Nay Apr 2015 #41

Of all women to be the first woman president treestar Apr 2015 #59

Seems to me she has something besides her gender to run on. Surya Gayatri Apr 2015 #25

she doesn't have to, just as President Obama didn't have to run as being the first African American. still_one Apr 2015 #26

A truth that some won't acknowledge. 99Forever Apr 2015 #27

A truth that some won't acknowledge ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2015 #47

She has experience mainstreetonce Apr 2015 #31

I think the underlying point is that America has a lot of issues and problems.. kentuck Apr 2015 #37

If you haven't heard HRC speak to each of these issues ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2015 #49

Where does she stand on Citizens United? kentuck Apr 2015 #53

She opposes Citizens United ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2015 #64

It certainly helps. DCBob Apr 2015 #38

Listen to her glass ceiling speech, She used it then in 2007, bahrbearian Apr 2015 #45

I want to shatter glass ceilings and open locked doors to opportunity... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #75

Wow, you would think that acknowledging she was a woman boston bean Apr 2015 #89

I feel emasculated already... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #92

Not really a good campaign slogan bahrbearian Apr 2015 #96

Maybe she wan't, but... JayhawkSD Apr 2015 #46

While it's true that she doesn't have SheilaT Apr 2015 #54

For those who consider it to be no difference between Republicans and Democrats treestar Apr 2015 #56

I agree completely. nt B2G Apr 2015 #60

As a Woman, I completely AGREE with Robert Reich's analysis.. WELL DONE! 2banon Apr 2015 #67

Embrace populist policies or lose. Enthusiast Apr 2015 #68

Wow. Reich really stepped in it this time. salib Apr 2015 #69

Good point. PatrickforO Apr 2015 #71

^^ this ^^ Novara Apr 2015 #76

Women's rights are an important issue to Democrats. She isn't running on being the first woman Agnosticsherbet Apr 2015 #79

To be honest, it is probably a double standard... kentuck Apr 2015 #84

How dare she mention she is a woman and would be our first woman president. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #85

It should be a secondary reason and amongst the primary reasons she should get elected... cascadiance Apr 2015 #109

She is not running based on her gender. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #111

Just about everyone in America can run on "making a difference" cascadiance Apr 2015 #115

Well you have the right to your opinion but the people of our party appear ready to nominate her hrmjustin Apr 2015 #124

They were "ready to nominate her" in 2008 and look what happened later then... cascadiance Apr 2015 #182

Corporate media polls? Are you sayingvthey are lying? hrmjustin Apr 2015 #184

Nope, they just aren't reporting anything that means anything and trying to make it sound... cascadiance Apr 2015 #186

Well good luck defeating her. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #187

If it happens, it will and should only happen in the primaries... cascadiance Apr 2015 #191

Agree, and she won't highlight that... Mike Nelson Apr 2015 #86

If Robert Reich said that . . . . people Apr 2015 #90

Robert Reich is 4'11" tall. He would face a distinct disadvantage running for president. Demit Apr 2015 #128

However, it's one of the strongest things she's got going right now. Novara Apr 2015 #91

Great strawman argument MaggieD Apr 2015 #93

It's disappointing, that's for sure. boston bean Apr 2015 #97

Pure desperation is what it is. emulatorloo Apr 2015 #117

Really?? ananda Apr 2015 #99

It really is. To have your sex used against you in this way boston bean Apr 2015 #106

Absolutely! Martin Eden Apr 2015 #101

I like Reich, but this is beyond stupid. Being a woman is part of who she is. It is going to be an Mass Apr 2015 #113

Maybe it's a "man" thing with Reich MaggieD Apr 2015 #118

See my posts above.. it's part of political reality. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #131

Please read my posts on this thread. Reich refers to well-known institutional gender biases. TheBlackAdder Apr 2015 #136

Really dumb thing to say. Reich is better than that. emulatorloo Apr 2015 #116

I'm totally with you about the primary bigtree Apr 2015 #132

Agree with you 100% on both counts. emulatorloo Apr 2015 #163

WEll there are two more in the race Cryptoad Apr 2015 #121

you seem desperate! stonecutter357 Apr 2015 #123

he sounds almost resentful on that point bigtree Apr 2015 #130

I'm sure that Hillary needed Reich to tell her that since she's never been involved in a campaign. Beacool Apr 2015 #133

She doesn't need to. She is highly qualified in her own right. n/t Lil Missy Apr 2015 #137

He's right. Issues, that is what voters want to hear about! sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #141

pretty sure HRC will have a website up tomorrow, don't you think? emulatorloo Apr 2015 #149

Well, here's the problem with Hillary. I know, eg, where Warren stands on important issues. She has sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #153

For YEARS I've heard people wailing that if women were in power, things would be better BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #142

My generally non-political wife is planning to get very active for Hillary. JoePhilly Apr 2015 #144

JoePhilly: I will be out there working for Hillary too! lewebley3 Apr 2015 #148

This country has some severe problems... kentuck Apr 2015 #145

Robert Reich is sexist: Hillary is not running because she is woman: She is qualified!!!!! lewebley3 Apr 2015 #146

He hitched his star to Bill Clinton at Oxford... DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #168

I agree. That should be at the bottom of her resume not the top. Cleita Apr 2015 #147

I don't recall her exploiting that as an issue in 08 AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #150

I like him, but that was stupid. Starry Messenger Apr 2015 #155

Couldn't agree more The Blue Flower Apr 2015 #157

Her vision is to have a world where every person has the same advantages as her granddaughter. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #167

a laudable goal, but a vision based on a fantasy. bvar22 Apr 2015 #194

My pops died when I was fourteen and I lived in what folks call a shotgun shack. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2015 #196

Odd, I grew up in a "Shotgun" too. bvar22 Apr 2015 #199

She'll run as being the second Clinton to be President. craigmatic Apr 2015 #159

I am not sure. something analogous was a big chunk of Obama's allure in 2008 Doctor_J Apr 2015 #173

Coming late to the thread... but Robert Reich is a big Hillary fan OKNancy Apr 2015 #176

And with this post, you absolutely destroy the tripe that was in the OP... SidDithers Apr 2015 #179

The "tripe" in the OP was from Robert Reich's FB page, Robert Reich's words not the OP's Autumn Apr 2015 #190

Thanks for the post OKNancy! kentuck Apr 2015 #202

So the apologist for William Clinton has defined the HRC candidacy? guillaumeb Apr 2015 #183

She speaks for women's rights fadedrose Apr 2015 #185

Personally I think Frances Perkins should be considered to be on our currency someplace... cascadiance Apr 2015 #188

Michele Bachmann is a woman. bvar22 Apr 2015 #189

Yep, Bernie Sanders is a man, and Ted Cruz is a man, but that choice is VERY simple... cascadiance Apr 2015 #192

Let me be blunt here dsc Apr 2015 #200

Correct. Obama didn't run on being the first black man, he ran on being the most competent Warpy Apr 2015 #201

I Voted for Obama yellowwoodII Apr 2015 #206

I have started to see this argument indivisibleman Apr 2015 #207

It's a sexist argument and they know it. Beacool Apr 2015 #211

completely agree. indivisibleman Apr 2015 #212

Keeping my fingers crossed. Beacool Apr 2015 #213

I assume he's saying she can not build a platform around being woman loyalsister Apr 2015 #216