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Ground Broken, But Not Glass Ceiling

Did Clinton, Palin candidacies move feminism forward?

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:48 AM CST

(Newser) – If Barack Obama wins the presidency, we’ll have broken a major barrier—but not the glass ceiling, writes Anne Kornblut in the Washington Post. Hillary Clinton claimed millions of votes and Sarah Palin energized a lackluster conservative base overnight, but as their candidacies descended into chaos, Kornblut asks "whether the first woman's path to the White House was eased this year—or whether Clinton and Palin simply unearthed the land mines without defusing any."

The trajectory of the campaigns has sparked quandaries for feminism: do we back the best-equipped candidate, or “promote and elect women everywhere”? And after a grueling race in which Clinton professed "We won't know until we try," the question remains: When will the country finally be ready to elect a woman?

Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at a rally for Barack Obama at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.
Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at a rally for Barack Obama at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Richard)
Sarah Palin speaks during a rally at Deep Run High school in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.
Sarah Palin speaks during a rally at Deep Run High school in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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It's only fair to ask whether the first woman's path to the White House was eased this year—or whether Clinton and Palin simply unearthed the land mines without defusing any of them. - Anne E. Kornblut

Every time we break down one barrier, the other quickly comes down. Throughout the year, observers have tried to put race versus gender—like, what is the greatest disadvantage? As if some of us don't represent both. - Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile

(Palin) wound up sinking in a classic 'girl story' about her RNC-financed shopping spree. Her handlers promptly threw her overboard and declared her a 'whack job' and 'diva'—hardly a moment of profound advancement. - Anne E. Kornblut

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Nov 2, 2008 12:19 AM CDT
I think the country is ready to elect a women for President. Hillary was a fine choice, but not Palin. She is just following in Bush/Cheneys foodsteps. Send her back to Alaska, the lower states do not need her.

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