Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Image Matters.

Why is it assumed that if you are a woman the only criteria necessary for picking a candidate is gender? I am the “demographic” that is supposedly squarely in Hillary Clintons corner and am here to report I am sick of her tactics.

Maybe I would believe in her even though she flip-flops on issues. Maybe I would forgive an appalling financial report on how she managed to burn through $130 million (and lose all those races). Perhaps I would b-list my concern over reports that the special interest groups in Washington, who “own her” but are maxed out on their contributions, are devising (illegal?) ways to continue funding her campaign so they protect “the status-quo” in Washington.

Maybe, but I cannot swallow her latest strategy of “slinging mud” to see if anything will stick. The image of her pointing and shaking, taking offence at very same advertising tactic her campaign has used, made me cringe.

I began to wonder if what she is saying even matters so I watched last nights debate without sound, focusing on body language only. She gives off very hostile, sarcastic vibe. She rolls her eyes and makes faces. There is nothing relatable about this woman.

If there is a positive, relatable ‘image” of a powerful woman, one that is universally acceptable, it is one of poise. Did Clintons inability to maintain poised under pressure tank her campaign? Is it possible that whatever she may be saying doesn’t matter because people feel uncomfortable? Clearly, they do. Why doesn’t she get this? Why didn't the highly paid (10 million!) Howard Wolfson tell her? This is PSYC 101 stuff.

Overnight, the Obama campaign exceeded one million donations. No matter where you stand, you can’t deny this is a great accomplishment. On the surface, who would have thought he would succeed? This has been an amazing experience for many people, he has rallied the masses, convinced many of us that we do matter, that we can have a role and make a difference.

GW has been the worst US president in memory and there are SO MANY things we need to fix. Isn’t it wonderful to know that people are open to change, that they do care. I think it is time for the nay-sayers to consider that the Obama strategy has worked, that right now, he is exactly what we need.